Talented Ghaiyyath colt Gethin is ready to ramp up his fragmented career as the Brigadier Gerard is flagged as his next target, which takes place at Sandown Park on Thursday 28 May.
Gethin marked himself as a highly promising colt when a six length winner on debut at Nottingham in October 2024. After making a winning reappearance at Newbury, injury kept him out for the majority of the season.
Gethin returned at Kempton in the Magnolia Stakes last month, running out a comfortable three length winner. He was slashed in price for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and he’ll next feature in the colours of Wathnan Racing at Sandown.
His sire was a winner of the Eclipse at Sandown in 2020, and Gethin holds an entry for the coveted Group 1. Owen Burrows won the Brigadier Gerard with Hukum in 2023, who was set for the Hardwicke Stakes before withdrawn due to the ground. However, Gethin is unlikely to feature at the Royal meeting.
Wathnan’s Racing adviser Richard Brown told the Press Association, via At The Races: “He’s probably not going to go to Royal Ascot. Just where he is at in his training, Owen feels that is not going to be at the right time for him.
“He needs to run again before we pitch him into the real deep waters. The plan is to run him in the Brigadier Gerard. Depending on what happens there will determine then what we do. We hope he’s up to running in some big races after that. But we just don’t know yet so we will take it one step at a time.”
Valiancy enters Wathan’s Royal Ascot squad
While Royal Ascot may come too soon for Gethin, Wathnan may be represented by Valiancy who won well at Hamilton. The son of Cracksman was a gradual improver last season. His final run saw him win well in a 52k handicap at Haydock. He made a winning reappearance at Hamilton on Sunday when a well backed favourite. He had to do it the hard way under James Doyle, suffering for room when mounting a challenge. He came home strongly down the outside, with Doyle easing off once the gathered momentum was enough.
Speaking to The Scotsman, via Pressreader, Doyle said: “I was trapped against the rail but I managed the thread my way across. He really picked up for me. I’d say maybe the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot might be the race for him.”
Wathnan Racing had an excellent Royal Ascot last year with five winners, and the growing force will no doubt have targeted the coveted meeting once more.