Macduff is willing to test his hopes of winning the Betfred Derby at Sandown in an attempt to follow in the footsteps of Westover.
After Westover's victory in this race in 2022, owners Juddmonte and trainer Ralph Beckett teamed up. Frankel's son went on to win the Desert Crown at Epsom and eventually received Derby compensation in Ireland.
The highly regarded Macduff, who showed smart form during his two-year-old season, now has the opportunity to give connections back-to-back victories in the Group Three event, as this race was lost due to weather twelve months ago.
The Sea The Stars colt opened his account on the July course at Newmarket, finishing second in the Listed Ascendant Stakes and running effectively when finishing fourth in the Royal Lodge. He will now make his first attempt at 10 furlongs.
“He’s a horse who has done well from two to three and showed a nice level of form last year,” said Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s European racing manager. “We feel a step up in trip is going to suit and we’re looking forward to seeing him back on track and I suppose Friday will tell us what level we’re at and what trip he will want etc, we will learn more about him. I think Newmarket wouldn’t necessarily be his track and when you watch him, he hit the line strong in the Royal Lodge and looked to me like he is a horse who is going to need further. I think physically he was quite a weak two-year-old and last year it was always about just educating him enough to be streetwise for his three-year-old career. I think we did that with his three runs and he’s definitely a stronger horse this year. We would like to think he will show a bit more ability this year.”