Guineas hope Queen Power joins Stoute as King Power expands roster

Sir Michael Stoute, Karl Burke and Tim Easterby will have horses this year for King Power Racing, which is widening its spread of trainers after appointing champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa as retained rider.

Among the six horses who Stoute has received is the Qipco 1,000 Guineas hope Queen Power, winner of her only start at Newmarket last October when trained by Ralph Beckett.

A general 33-1 chance for the Newmarket Classic, the daughter of Shamardal cost 500,000gns as a yearling and the form of her debut win over a mile has already been advertised with the second and third going on to win next time.

Sir Michael Stoute: worked Zaaki ahead of next Saturday's Group 2 Celebration Mile at GoodwoodCredit: Edward Whitaker

As well as Queen Power, Stoute has also received the three-year-old maiden Top Top, a Frankel colt who ran twice for Beckett, plus four two-year-olds.

Burke, who has been sent five horses by King Power, said: "I've got three older horses and a pair of two-year-olds. I'm delighted to get them and the first one to run could be Fox Fearless, who may head to Doncaster."

Following the death of founder and Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in October, the organisation has passed to his son Aiyawatt.

Alastair Donald, spokesman for King Power Racing, said: "We have over 100 horses in training this year and the idea was to get a better geographical spread.

"As well as our existing trainers and Sir Michael Stoute we have also sent horses to Tim Easterby and Karl Burke for the first time. Hopefully Queen Power can make up into a 1,000 Guineas horse but it may be a bit early to say."

If Fox Fearless does make it to post on Town Moor, three-time champion jockey De Sousa can look forward to the ride in his new role, although punters were uneasy about his title chances with William Hill easing him to 4-5.

Silvestre de Sousa: out to 4-5 favourite for a fourth title after signing up for King Power RacingCredit: Vince Caligiuri (Getty Images)

De Sousa is currently riding high in Hong Kong but is due back on Monday and is expected to take his first rides for the operation at Doncaster on Saturday week, including either Zwayyan or Battered in the Unibet Lincoln.

The champion jockey said: “I'm very excited about the season ahead with King Power. They have some exciting horses to look forward to. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was a very keen owner and gave the racing industry tremendous support. I'm hoping to do him proud on his horses.”

Last year the bulk of King Power's runners were with trainers Andrew Balding and Richard Hannon, who accounted for 35 of its 42 winners.

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