Leading three-year-old colt Thunder Snow will run in the G1 Kentucky Derby, America’s most famous race, at Churchill Downs, USA, on Saturday, May 6.
The son of Helmet, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, will remain on dirt following two victories on the surface at Meydan, UAE, earlier this year including a last-gasp success in the G2 UAE Derby over an extended nine furlongs on Dubai World Cup Night, March 25.
He also stormed to an easy win in the mile G3 UAE 2000 Guineas on February 11.
Thunder Snow was the top two-year-old colt trained in Britain last year and ended a progressive turf campaign then with a dominant five-length victory in the G1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud, France, in October.
Saeed bin Suroor commented: “Following discussions with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, His Highness made the decision that Thunder Snow is to go for the Kentucky Derby.
“He is a big, strong colt, who is improving all of the time and acts on dirt, and we are looking forward to seeing him take on the best three-year-olds in America.
UAE Derby Replay
“The Kentucky Derby is a great race and one of the few major international contests Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin has yet to win.
“Thunder Snow is a colt of the highest class and I hope that he can step up in the Kentucky Derby.”
The US$2-million Kentucky Derby, run over 10 furlongs, is the longest continually held sporting event in North America and the first race of the US Triple Crown, which is completed by the G1 Preakness Stakes (May 20) and the G1 Belmont Stakes (June 10).
Godolphin’s record in the Kentucky Derby:
1999 Worldly Manner (Saeed bin Suroor) 7th
2000 China Visit (Saeed bin Suroor) 6th
2000 Curule (Saeed bin Suroor) 7th
2001 Express Tour (Saeed bin Suroor) 8th
2002 Essence of Dubai (Saeed bin Suroor) 9th
2009 Regal Ransom (Saeed bin Suroor) 8th
2009 Desert Party (Saeed bin Suroor) 14th
2012 Alpha (Kiaran McLaughlin) 12th
2015 Frosted (Kiaran McLaughlin) 4th
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