Exciting showdown anticipated at Southwell this weekend.
Anticipation is building for a thrilling event at Southwell this Saturday, with the potential return of Lord North, a seasoned winner of multiple Group One races, in the BetUK Winter Derby Stakes.
The eight-year-old sensation was last in action in March 2023, triumphing for the third consecutive time in the prestigious Dubai Turf at Meydan on World Cup night. Lord North had prepared for that remarkable feat by clinching victory in the Winter Derby, which was then a 10-furlong Lingfield competition, prior to its transformation to a mile and three furlongs at Southwell.
In what promises to be a star-studded field of nine contenders for the Group Three event, the formidable duo of John and Thady Gosden also field Forest Of Dean, the Winter Derby champion of 2021, and the talented Kempton Listed winner Lion’s Pride. The competition will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing.
One to watch closely is Eydon, set to make his debut under the guidance of Andrew Balding following his last outing in 2022, where he secured fourth place in the 2000 Guineas. Teumessias Fox, another entry from the same stable, adds to the intrigue.
Tyrrhenian Sea, the impressive runner-up from last year's edition, may once again carry the hopes of trainer Roger Varian, while the Winter Derby Trial's second-place finisher, Military Order, stands as a potential contender for the prestigious Godolphin stable under the tutelage of Charlie Appleby.
The field is further bolstered by Claymore and Sir Busker, who finished sixth and fourth, respectively, in the trial and are gearing up to test their mettle once again in this highly anticipated event.