A
full brother to champion seven time Group I winner Highland Reel, three
year-old Galileo colt Cape of Good Hope stamped himself as an Epsom Derby
contender when winning the Epsom Blue Riband Trial on Wednesday in the UK.
Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Cape of Good Hope was having his first run of the
year following a promising two year-old season that saw him win at Tipperary
and place twice in Group company.
He hit the line hard for Ryan Moore to win the 1m2f contest by half a length.
"Cape of Good Hope brought
some of the best form into the race and it's good to get some experience around
Epsom. He's a full-brother to Highland Reel and Idaho and we're very pleased
with that. Ryan said he settled nicely and responded well. We'll see how he
comes out of this and talk to the owners but, on that performance, you'd like
to think he'd be coming back ," said Kevin Buckley, Coolmore's UK
representative.
Bred by the Hveger Syndicate, Cape of Good Hope was bought by MV Magnier for
240,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2017.
He is the third stakes-winner and fifth winner from Group I placed Danehill
mare Hveger, a full sibling to champions Elvstroem and Haradasun from Group I
winner Circles of Gold.
Highland Reel shuttled to Swettenham Stud last
spring and covered 148 mares at a fee of $16,500.