Dashing Willoughby bought for Melbourne Cup as Fellowes alters Prince plans

Prominent New Zealand owner Sir Owen Glenn has taken a majority share in English stayer Dashing Willoughby under his Go Bloodstock banner.

The acquisition of the Royal Ascot winner was reported earlier this week, but Glenn – who has raced horses such as Group 1 winner Criterion, Monaco Consul and Comin’ Through in his yellow silks – yesterday confirmed he was the buyer.

“Sir Owen is as determined as ever for Go Bloodstock to target the top races in Australia,” Go Bloodstock’s Steve O’Connor said. “Having placed in the Melbourne Cup with Criterion and Second Coming, Sir Owen was the driving force behind selecting Dashing Willoughby as a Cup contender this year and a horse to represent Go Bloodstock at the top level for many years to come.”

The Andrew Balding-trained Dashing Willoughby, recently seen winning the Henry II Stakes at Sandown, will likely have his final British start in York's Lonsdale Cup on August 21, before flying out to Werribee for two weeks of quarantine.

“We are very excited and would like to thank all agents, vets and anyone who played a role in securing the horse,” said O’Connor. “A special mention to long-time friend Paul Moroney who assisted in sourcing and securing the horse on our behalf with Armando Duarte Bloodstock.”

His new owners outlined plans for Dashing Willoughby to contest the Caulfield Cup on October 17, before taking on Australia’s flagship race, the Melbourne Cup, on November 3.

Charlie Fellowes: planning a different campaign for his stable starCredit: Vince Caligiuri (Getty Images)

Charlie Fellowes has reacted swiftly to the news he will not be able to use his preferred route for Prince Of Arran ahead of a third attempt at the Melbourne Cup, after the Victoria Racing Club announced that changes to transport for European runners this season would rule out participation on Caulfield Guineas day.

Having finished third and second in the last two Melbourne Cups, Prince Of Arran will not leave for Australia until after Irish Champions weekend this year, meaning he will not clear quarantine in time for a run in the Herbert Power Stakes.

"He'll come out of quarantine around October 16 and we will then just have the one race in Australia before the Melbourne Cup this year.

"It will probably be the Geelong Cup, although he will have an entry in the Caulfield Cup."

Fellowes is deliberately giving Prince Of Arran a lighter summer having run at Ascot this year and will take in the September Stakes at Kempton before entering quarantine.

"The reason he had two runs in Australia over the last two years was because he wasn't in the Melbourne Cup and he had to improve to get in," said Fellowes. "This year we'll be in the race whatever so there's no pressure to go down there and perform.

"Although he is older and takes a bit more time getting fit it's not a disaster by any stretch of the imagination. If it had happened last year I would have been more concerned. This year one race will have him spot on."

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