Search

Destained for the top? Destain enters Futurity Trophy reckoning with facile Kempton success

Destain chucked his hat into the ring for the William Hill Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on October 26 with a widening seven-length success at Kempton last night.

John Gosden.
John Gosden. Picture: PA

John and Thady's Gosden's well-bred two-year-old looked like a useful prospect after a debut success in August and readily proved that was likely the case when brushing aside a 7lb penalty with the minimum of fuss. 

Always towards the fore under Kieran Shoemark, the Juddmonte-owned son of Wootton Bassett quickened up in taking fashion once given the go-ahead, putting a striking seven lengths between him and his nearest pursuer. 

A tilt at the Group 1 William Hill Futurity Trophy at Doncaster later this month could beckon, with bookmakers Paddy Power quick to react by cutting him from 14/1 to 8/1 for the final top-level contest of the UK season. 

Shoemark, who enjoyed a first Group 1 success since joining the Clarehaven Stables operation when steering Friendly Soul to victory in the Prix de l'Opera. Told Racing TV: "He's got the right profile going into a race like that (Futurity Trophy). It's likely to be soft ground on the day, he's a half-brother to Arrest and he likes soft ground.

"He's half the size of Arrest, who is large, wants a mile and a half, probably further, and has a big, long stride, whereas he's a lot neater, a lot tighter and he's got more speed.

"I'm not sure we beat a whole lot there but he's a proper stakes horse. I wouldn't like to say too much but he gave me a good feel."
Racing and Sports

today's racing

Error occured
{{disciplineGroup.DisciplineFullText}}
{{course.CountryName || course.Country}}