Masar to seek more Series glory in 2019

Masar will be back in action next year. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Investec Derby winner Masar will not run again this season but he will stay in training as a four-year-old.

The Godolphin colt, trained by Charlie Appleby, was ruled out of the Coral-Eclipse on the eve of the race with a leg injury and veterinary advice is for the chestnut to have two months of rest.

Appleby believes it would be too much of a rush to bring him back for autumn targets but has already suggested two QIPCO British Champions Series races – the Investec Coronation Cup and QIPOCO-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – will be on his agenda in 2019.

“We re-scanned him yesterday (Saturday) evening and after discussions with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed he was keen to see him stay in training, so we felt to give him the best chance next year we would give him the rest of this season off,” Appleby said.

“He’s a substantial colt anyway, there’s a chance there’s more to come and going into his four-year-old season he takes the best mile-and-a-half form.

“The races we’ll be looking at next year are the Coronation Cup, the King George and the Arc.”

The last Derby winner to be kept in training as a four-year-old was Ruler Of The World,, who won at Epsom in 2013.