Group 1 sacrifice: Billy Lee accepts quarantine to keep Romanised partnership

Leading Irish rider Billy Lee is set to sacrifice two weeks of racing on home soil in order to maintain his partnership with star miler Romanised, with the Ken Condon-trained Classic winner bidding for a second consecutive Prix Jacques le Marois success this Sunday at Deauville.

Quarantine regulations in Ireland require anyone travelling into the country to self-isolate for 14 days upon their arrival, meaning Lee will face a spell on the sidelines when returning from France.

Lee will be hoping the Group 1 reward outweighs the quarantine drawback, despite a red-hot field in the reckoning for the prestigious mile event. The race could feature Persian King, Palace Pier, Alpine Star, Circus Maximus and Kameko.

Billy Lee: currently fourth in the Irish Flat jockeys' championship on 29 winnersCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Romanised, one of Europe's top milers, made an impressive return to action when defying a 314-day absence to land the Group 2 Paddy Power Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh last month, and Condon feels the former Irish 2,000 Guineas winner has progressed from his return.

"It was a very nice comeback run and I'm sure he's come on plenty for it," said the in-form trainer.

"Training is one thing but there's nothing like a match to really tighten things up and bring you forward. We've been happy with his work since and he's taken the race really well."

He added: "Hopefully his routine work on Tuesday and final checks this week go to plan. It's great to be taking part, it looks like a cracking race."

Romanised and Billy Lee pictured after winning the Paddy Power Minstrel StakesCredit: Patrick McCann

Condon is delighted to have Lee's services for Romanised's bid for back-to-back victories in the Deauville prize, and added: "Billy is keen to ride and willing to take his two weeks of quarantine when he comes home.

"He had made up his mind a few weeks ago and is anxious to keep the partnership intact, so that's great news from our point of view."

Romanised's stablemate Laws Of Indices emerged with great credit after a fast-finishing fourth in Sunday's Keeneland Phoenix Stakes and the trainer has already mapped out a Group 1 campaign for the exciting juvenile.

"We were very pleased with the run and he's confirmed the early impression of the Railway Stakes," said Condon.

"I think he's going to be better for the step up in trip and all things being well he'll run in the National Stakes next.

"He'll handle slower ground too and could go to the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere."

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