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13 Feb 2017

Champions Series dark horses: Mori

Sir Michael Stoute

Sir Michael Stoute (Mori) is renowned for his patient approach. Picture:Racingfotos.com

MORI

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Form: Unraced

There are dark horses and then there are really dark horses. Mori slots into category two.

She never made it to the racecourse as a two-year-old and might turn out to be a slow coach but it seems unlikely given her exceptional pedigree – she was sired by Frankel and her dam was the mighty Midday.

Frankel and Midday carried Prince Khalid Abdullah’s silks with distinction – winning 16 Group 1 races between them at distances ranging between 7f and 1m4f.

What has the union between them produced?

Hopefully, we will find out sooner rather than later but it is of no great concern that Mori, who will also carry Abdullah’s silks, did not run as a juvenile because Sir Michael Stoute, her trainer, is renowned for his patience.

For instance, none of his five Derby winners had any more than two races as two-year-olds and it was the same with his two Oaks victors.

It is also worth recalling that US Army Ranger and Wings Of Desire finished second and fourth in the Investec Derby last year, having not raced as juveniles.

Mori’s first appearance is keenly awaited and she is already on the radar of the bookmakers. Sky Bet make her 40-1 for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, while she is available at 50-1 for the Investec Oaks.

PREVIOUS HORSES IN THE SERIES
Crimson Rock
Cashla Bay
Frontispiece
Poet’s Vanity
Boynton
Shutter Speed
Cape Byron
Cliffs Of Moher