2021 Epsom Derby winner Adayar for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin will now be aimed at the Group One King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, with his handler very happy with him since the Classic event.
The son of Frankel has been seen five times now, finishing fourth on debut in October at Nottingham over 8.5 furlongs when looking to learn a lot for the experience.
He then went back over the same course and distance later that month and got of the mark for the first time in his career, taking the event by an impressive nine lengths.
Saved for this season he made his return in the Group Three Classic Trial at Sandown in April and finished a staying on second behind a nice type for William Haggas.
He was then stepped up in trip for the Listed Derby Trial at Lingfield and finished a fair second behind Third Realm who was better on the day.
With his form falling short this year, he was overlooked to begin with but the closer the race came the more that punters latched onto him and in the end he went on to win easily by close to five lengths under a superb ride by Adam Kirby.
Adayar wins the @CazooUK Derby!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 5, 2021
Jockey Adam Kirby was jocked off the fancied John Leeper earlier in the week - he's just secured his first Classic success in quite a story at @EpsomRacecourse 👏 pic.twitter.com/FqpKzIzavQ
Appleby has not waited around to focus on his next target with Adayar now set to become the first horse since Galileo in 2021 to land the Derby and the King George in the same season.
(Credit ATR) “He has come out of the race great,” said Appleby.
“He went on the sea walker yesterday morning and he has been out for a jog this morning and has been turned out in the paddock, and he has shown his wellness. All signs are good so far.
“Without rubber stamping anything, the discussions taking place at the moment are that we will give this horse a bit more time and look towards going to a King George with him.
“I think timing-wise it suits him, and also we will have tested our mettle a bit against the older horses.
“After that we can see what he is like against the older horses, and if he happens to win a King George we can work back from an Arc. If he gets beat in a King George then we revert back to our original plan – which was going down the St Leger route.
“I think, personally, looking from the outside having won neither race, I would rather pinpoint one – because we all know in the autumn it is a big ask to do a St Leger and then an Arc.”