Crystal Caprice

In the modern era, only Aidan O'Brien has trained more Derby winners than Sir Michael Stoute. The latter became almost instantly synonymous with the great race, and indeed woven into Derby folklore, when he first won it back in 1981. Few will need reminding that that was with Shergar (Ire), the horse whose infamy threatens to overshadow his brilliance, especially as the years wear on and the number of people who were there to witness Shergar's superiority first hand decreases. Forty-one years later, and with the not insignificant names of...

12.40 Newmarket, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, f, 7fT CRYSTAL CAPRICE (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) represents the longstanding De Rothschild--Sir Michael Stoute connection which has fared so well with members of this March-foaled bay's family down the years. The dam Crystal Zvezda (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a talented but perhaps underachieving listed winner, is a half to three heavyweight performers to have raced in these silks in Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Crystal Capella (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Hillstar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Among her peers is Lady Derby and Lady...