A season of firsts will continue for Gai Waterhouse next month as she saddles up a Belmont Derby runner in Pornichet on July 5.
Waterhouse finalised the acquisition of the French Derby placegetter last week after the colt failed to make his reserve at the Goffs London Sale on June 16.
Pornichet had been invited to contest the inaugural running of the Grade 1 Belmont Derby (2000m) following his third in the French Guineas (1600m) and new connections have confirmed they have accepted.
Connections were hopeful Tommy Berry could partner the Vespone colt however the young jockey’s Hong Kong commitments at this stage are expected to prevent that.
He will be part of a strong European contingent at the Belmont Park meeting on July 5 and be Gai Waterhouse’s first runner in the United States.
It continues what has been a memorable 2013/14 season for Gai Waterhouse.
Racing’s First Lady claimed her maiden Melbourne Cup victory earlier this season with Fiorente before The Offer provided Waterhouse with the Sydney Cup.
2013/14 has seen Waterhouse venture into jumps racing where she has tasted success with the likes of Valediction, Tenby Lady and Galiando.
Another recent stable acquisition, Café Society, provided Waterhouse with her first result at Royal Ascot when he ran third in the Wolferton Handicap (2011m).
Waterhouse has recorded 160 wins for the 2013/14 season and with just over a month remaining, appears on track for her best year in terms of winner’s trained since 2005/06 where she reached 200.
