Sir Michael Stoute: the highs and lows for the top trainer since Workforce

Since Workforce's explosive Derby success in 2010 things have been quieter, relatively, for the famous stables of Sir Michael Stoute.

Stoute has saddled only three Derby runners since that memorable day and the word retirement has been whispered regarding one of the biggest names in Flat racing.

But Thursday marked an important day for Stoute as another high-class Derby prospect emerged when an authoritative Dante success shot Desert Crown to Derby favouritism.

The York crowd were clearly delighted to see the trainer have a three-year-old star again with a live chance of emulating the likes of Shergar and Shahrastani.

We look back on a rollercoaster few years of highs and lows on the track for Stoute since his Derby win.

2011: Carlton House misses out

Sent off 5-2 Derby favourite after winning the Dante Stakes, the Queen's Carlton House could finish only third, beaten a length by Pour Moi.

The season would prove a frustrating one for the yard, with just 53 winners just two years on from a tenth trainers' championship.

2013: Estimate's crowning glory

Freemason Lodge appeared a long way from its championship-winning best but Stoute would enjoy one of the most memorable winners of his career at Royal Ascot.

Estimate, also in the royal silks, rallied late in a thrilling finish under Ryan Moore to capture the Gold Cup for the Queen in the royal meeting's centrepiece – a story for the ages.

Estimate: royal winner of the Ascot Gold CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

2016: Derby disappointment

The last time Stoute had runners in the Derby was in 2016 when he saddled Ulysses and Across The Stars. Favoured in the betting was Ulysses but the 8-1 shot could finish only 12th, two places behind his 25-1 stablemate, as Harzand prevailed.

Across The Stars went on to land the King Edward VII Stakes but did not win again.

Ulysses did progress from his Epsom no-show. The following season, the son of Galileo struck in the Eclipse and Juddmonte International in an excellent season, bowing out with a fine third to Enable in the Arc.

On the whole, 2016 was a resurgent season for the yard with a total of 111 winners – the yard's first century in nine years.

2018: Ascot aces

Stoute is best know for his talents with older middle-distance horses and it was apt that one of those provided him with a record-breaking victory at Royal Ascot.

Poet's Word, a five-year-old, defeated Cracksman in the Prince of Wales's Stakes to make Stoute the meeting's winningmost trainer with a tally of 76. He quickly added to it, with Expert Eye, Eqtidaar and Crystal Ocean making it a royal meeting to remember.

Stoute stablemates Poet's Word and Crystal Ocean provided a King George thrillerCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

However, the most memorable of Stoute's days at Ascot that year would not come at the royal meeting, but in the King George. Two of his winners from a month earlier, Poet's Word and Crystal Ocean, served up an epic conclusion to the iconic race, with Poet's Word beating his year-younger rival by a neck.

An excellent season on the big stage was completed by Expert Eye's success in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

2022: Desert Crown emerges

Word quickly got out that Stoute may have a special prospect on his hands and the Nottingham debut winner was subject to a major plunge in the Derby betting.

The Dante was his day to prove it was worthwhile and he lived up to those high expectations with a brilliant win. He now tops the Derby betting, with a huge chance of providing his trainer with a 16th British Classic winner.

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