Smart sprinter Dragon Symbol switches stables from Watson to Varian

High-class sprinter Dragon Symbol, who finished first past the post in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last June before being demoted behind US raider Campanelle, has left trainer Archie Watson and joined the powerful Newmarket stable of Roger Varian.

The son of Cable Bay featured in one of the most dramatic races of the Flat season in 2021 when losing the Commonwealth Cup in the stewards' room following a lengthy inquiry into interference with Campanelle.

Dragon Symbol hit the frame in several top sprints but disappointed on his last start for Watson on British Champions Day and the Yoshiro Kubota-owned colt has now been switched from Lambourn to Newmarket.

Varian said: "Dragon Symbol joined us before Christmas. He arrived in very good condition and looks fantastic. His form is in the book for everyone to see and he's a very exciting horse for us to look forward to for the season ahead."

As for any plans, the Carlburg Stables trainer added: "He's a top-notch sprinter and all the top sprints will be on his radar this year. It's too early to say where we'll start him off just yet and we're just looking forward to getting to know him a bit more."

Unraced as a juvenile, Dragon Symbol won his first four races for Watson as a three-year-old last year when racking up victories on the all-weather at Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Kempton before scoring on turf at Hamilton in May.

He was a consistent force in the top sprints from then on, starting with second place in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock before his Royal Ascot demotion.

Dragon Symbol (right) finishes in front of Campanelle in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot before being demoted to secondCredit: Harry Trump (Getty Images)

Dragon Symbol was sent off favourite to gain swift compensation in the July Cup but again filled the runner-up spot to Starman before further Group placings behind Suesa at Goodwood and Winter Power in the Nunthorpe at York.

His final outing for Watson was his only real disappointment of the season when 14th of 20 in the British Champions Sprint.

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