Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold has insisted Raaheeb’s camp will focus only on their own unbeaten colt before Sunday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh, despite renewed debate around Ballydoyle team tactics.
The issue has followed Royal Ascot, where Christophe Soumillon was handed an eight-day ban after stewards ruled his ride on Puerto Rico had advantaged stablemate Gstaad in the St James’s Palace Stakes. Aidan O’Brien could again hold a major numerical edge at the Curragh, with multiple Ballydoyle runners left in against Owen Burrows’ Raaheeb.
Gold, however, said Shadwell will leave the race in Rossa Ryan’s hands and cannot afford to be distracted by how others may ride. The Sea The Stars colt is two from two, having won the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown in April, but now faces his first Group 1 test after missing Epsom through stiffness.
Raaheeb Faces Biggest Test At The Curragh
Raaheeb’s pedigree guarantees attention: he is a full-brother to Baaeed and Hukum, the latter trained by Burrows to major middle-distance success. Gold told the Irish Examiner the key question is not tactics but whether Raaheeb is ready for the class jump.
The Irish Derby is shaping into one of the deepest three-year-old races of the summer, with Epsom winner Christmas Day, Benvenuto Cellini and James J Braddock also in the mix. For Raaheeb, Sunday is the moment promise stops being private and becomes public evidence.
