Deira Mile is on course to Dubai Duty Free

Deira Mile might be aimed towards the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby following his fourth-place finish in the Epsom Classic. 

Trained by Owen Burrows, the colt by Camelot secured fourth in the Futurity Trophy last season and kicked off this year impressively with a commanding four-length win in a Windsor novice race.

At Epsom, he faced the challenge of stretching to a mile and a half for the first time, entering the Betfred-sponsored Derby at odds of 28-1, with Jim Crowley aboard and starting from stall 14 of 16. 

Initially positioned towards the rear due to his wide draw, he found himself trailing behind only one rival as the race commenced. As they approached the apex of the track, he remained towards the back of the pack. 

However, on the final turn, he began to rally, gradually gaining momentum despite navigating a wide path. Ultimately, he surged past most of the field, finishing fourth behind City Of Troy. 

Despite the race dynamics not entirely favouring the three-year-old owned by Ahmad Al Shaikh, Owen Burrows expressed satisfaction with the performance. Consequently, discussions are underway to potentially aim him towards the Irish Derby at the Curragh by the end of the month.

“I’m not saying we were unlucky in any way, but it wasn’t the plan to be that far back,” Burrows said. “We had to sit in mid-div, he just stepped a bit slow and that was where Jim unfortunately found himself. It was a big run down the outside, we did have a nice clear run in doing that. But the winner had a nice trip down the inner, the second and third had a nice trip, I thought it was a big run. We’ll see how he is through this week but the Irish Derby could suit him, the nature of the track at the Curragh I think would suit him a lot better. We’ll play it by ear, he’s a Leger horse and that’s what Jim felt as well so that will be the ultimate aim. It’s about a month away, the Irish Derby, so he’ll have a bit of time. It’s not definite he’ll go, but we’ll have a look.”