Ghaiyyath to put Derby hopes on the line in York’s G2 Dante

Godolphin’s impeccably bred Ghaiyyath is set to test his Derby credentials in the G2 Dante Stakes at York on Thursday, 17 May, a race that many regard as the key trial for Epsom.

The son of Dubawi and the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Nightime is to bypass the G1 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket to focus on the Dante, which leaves Masar to carry the Godolphin banner into the first Classic of the British season on Saturday.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Both Masar and Ghaiyyath came through routine work (on Saturday) in good order. Masar came out of the Craven very well and he has pleased at home since that race.”

Masar, a much-travelled son of New Approach, crushed his rivals in Newmarket’s G3 Craven Stakes on the Rowley Mile in a most impressive nine-length victory earlier this month.

“The signs are good,” Appleby said. “I’m very happy with him going into the Guineas, and I expect him to give a good account of himself,” he added.

Ghaiyyath has emerged fit and fresh from his winter in Dubai and will be seeking to give Godolphin a first win in the Dante Stakes since Moon Ballad in 2002, though the Maktoum family have continued a successful connection with the race of late.

Last year, the Mark Johnston-trained Permian (Teofilo) carried the colours of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed to victory in the Dante, defeating the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Benbatl (Dubawi). 

Ghaiyyath, a winner of two of his three starts, won the G3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket last October.