Colin Keane: Sussex Stakes ride on Siskin definitely worth two-week quarantine

Colin Keane will make the trip to Glorious Goodwood next week to partner Qatar Sussex Stakes favourite Siskin, with the leading rider believing the opportunity is “definitely worth” serving a two-week quarantine when he returns to Ireland.

Frankie Dettori had been on standby for the ride on the Ger Lyons-trained star colt, who is unbeaten in five starts and landed the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on his return last month.

Keane, champion jockey in Ireland in 2017, sits joint second in the early title standings this term but the consequences of his trip to Britain will impact his chances of a second championship. Nevertheless, the opportunity to partner Siskin in the £275,000 Group 1 event does not come around too often.

Speaking on the Nick Luck Daily podcast, Keane said: “There are not too many like Siskin that I’ve got to sit on before, so when a horse like that comes around you want to be on him everyday – especially on the big days.

“I think it’s definitely worth sacrificing the two weeks. Hopefully there will be other championships in the near future, but there might not be another Siskin for a very long time, so I want to take every opportunity we can get with him.”

Colin Keane: has ridden Siskin on every startCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Siskin heads the Sussex Stakes betting at a best-priced 7-4 with Sky Bet, Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power with Summer Mile scorer Mohaather – best-priced 11-4 second favourite with William Hill – and Qipco 2,000 Guineas hero and general 4-1 shot Kameko among his likely main dangers.

It will be a second start of the season on Wednesday week for the Khalid Abdullah-owned Siskin, who will be seeking a third top-level success after winning the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes on his final start at two.

Keane, who has ridden at Goodwood once before, said: “Siskin has been great since his Guineas win. He looks a million dollars and has trained very well. We couldn’t be happier with him. We’ll just keep him wrapped up and it’s all about getting him there in one piece.”

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