Sir Michael Stoute holds fire on Workforce decision
When did Sir Michael Stoute begin planning his next step with Workforce? Probably just after the colt took his last step past the winning post at Epsom on Saturday.
A fifth victory in the Derby put the trainer third in the all-time record list behind the seven victories achieved by Robert Robson, John Porter and Fred Darling.
The victory was a tour de force of Stoute’s ability as a trainer, having brought Workforce back from his disappointing run in the Dante Stakes at York just three weeks before, and sealed his partnership with stable jockey Ryan Moore that appears to be the perfect marriage of minds and outlooks.
“It was a great day, a great thrill and the team thoroughly enjoyed it," Stoute told At The Races. “I was a little bit concerned about his lack of experience after his preparatory race didn't go according to plan, but he'd pleased us subsequently and we thought he would run very well but I didn't expect a performance of that magnitude. Ryan came in after York and said 'don't be disappointed' because the bit went right through his mouth and he couldn't give him the assistance that he needed.”
Workforce’s seven-length victory, in which he broke the 15-year-old track record that Lammtarra had set when he won the Derby was given added resonance when Phil Smith, the BHA head of handicapping, said that he was now rated at 128, which is 4lbs higher than the figure given to Sea The Stars when he won the Derby 12 months ago.
Not that Stoute will be easily seduced by such accolades. “I suppose on the face of it, it was a better Derby performance than Sea The Stars, but it doesn't make him a better horse, and Sea The Stars actually won the Derby very comfortably,” he pointed out. “All my Derby winners stand out, it's a wonderful race and it's a wonderful day and it's great to win it.”
However, it is the future, not the past, that is exercising Stoute’s mind because his four previous Derby winners - Shergar (1981), Shahrastani (1986), Kris Kin (2003), North Light (2004)- were never able to transfer the glories of high summer into a fruitful autumn campaign. The Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe remains just about the only elite European prize that has eluded him.
Before that he has to decide on a summer campaign for Workforce. In recent years New Approach, Authorized, Sir Percy and Motivator were all beaten next time out. The common denominator of those defeats was that all came over 10 furlongs because of the breeding fashion that dictates that a horse who has won the Derby over 12 furlongs must then prove himself over a shorter distance.
This approach, given that breeders pay the highest covering fees for stallions that are likely to sire a Derby winner – and therefore colts imbued with sufficient stamina for a mile-and-a-half – seems flawed. It is underlined by the fact that two of the most popular current stallions – Montjeu and Galileo – both failed to win a group One race over 10 furlongs.
No final decisions have been made yet but the Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth are obvious targets. They, along with the Derby, used to form a mid-season trinity but the treble has not been achieved since Galileo in 2001 and Workforce would be the first Derby winner to contest the King George since Kris Kin finished third to Alamshar in 2003. “We've decided to not even consider the next move until well into next week, we'll monitor him and try to determine how he has recovered from his race so plans are on hold. It's so far so good but it is early days.”
Workforce is still entered for the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, a meeting where Stoute is second on the all-time list of winners, behind Henry Cecil. While Workforce will be rested for bigger things, the trainer is still likely to send a formidable team for the five day-fixture among whom will be Kingsgate Native.
When the Cheveley Park Stud bought Kingsgate Native two years ago the plan had been for him to be added to their stallion roster. That, however, never came to fruition; he was sent back into training with Stoute and a gelding operation meant that he is now on a one-track course.
He will not attempt to repeat his 2008 victory in the Golden Jubilee Stakes and will instead run in the King's Stand Stakes on the first day of the meeting, having shown himself as good as ever when winning the Temple Stakes at Haydock Park last month. “I've got some important work to do this week with the potential Ascot runners so I've not tidied it up just yet,” Stoute said “but the plan is to go for the King's Stand with Kingsgate on Tuesday.”
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