Golden Pal All Systems Go For Nunthorpe

Wesley Ward's star sprinter Golden Pal is set for his second trip over to the UK as his handler sets his sights on the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes at York's Ebor meeting.

Golden Pal has been a superb sprinter for the yard having been unleashed to British viewers when finishing an extremely close second in the Group Two Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, just being beat by the Michael Bell trained The Lir Jet.

He was set for the Nunthorpe at York in 2020 after that event but instead was kept in America where he went on to land a Stakes contest in taking style.

That set him up perfectly for the Breeders' Cup meeting where he took on a strong field of 13 runners and coming from a horrible draw he managed to clear away from the field at Keeneland to land the Grade Two Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Having suffered a slight setback he missed the King's Stands Stakes at Royal Ascot but instead was last seen winning the Group Three Quick Call Stakes at Saratoga.

He is said to be working well at home ahead of his trip over to England and with Frankie Dettori set to have the ride he could be very popular come race day.

(Credit ATR) Ward said: “He had an unbelievable breeze on Saturday at Arlington Park and we’re headed for the Nunthorpe.“Straight after his last race we really didn’t know what direction we were going. There was the option of waiting a couple more weeks for the Flying Five (at the Curragh), but he’s doing great and he’s scheduled to leave on August 13.

“I had a talk with Paul Shanahan (of Coolmore) and he had a talk with Mr Magnier, Mr Smith and Mr Tabor (owners). The Nunthorpe is kind of a stallion-maker race and carries a lot of weight at this time of year.

“He’s got a direct flight from Indianapolis to Stansted and then off we’ll go.

“Frankie is going to ride and we’re excited.”