Saturday 23 October 2010

Casamento Now Set To Join Godolphin


Casamento swept to victory in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster to lead home a one-two-three for the Irish challengers in the Group One contest.

Frankie Dettori was always prominent on the Michael Halford-trained juvenile (2-1 favourite) and committed for home two furlongs out.

Sheikh Mohammed's youngster stretched out in terrific style and was always holding the strong challenge of Aidan O'Brien's Seville to score by three-quarters of a length, with the runner-up's stable companion Master Of Hounds back in third spot.

Dettori said: "It was a great performance and I'm delighted for Sheikh Mohammed and Mick - this is his first Group One. I think he's probably a Derby horse, but we'll wait and see. He's a lovely horse."

Halford reported: "I personally think he might have enough speed for the Guineas, but he's not slow either and stays.

"He was idling a bit in front and looking for a bit of company. Frankie said he was always happy on him and kept finding every time a horse got near him. He's a big, relaxed horse and only does what he has to do."

Casamento is now set to join Godolphin, but that does not bother Halford.

He added: "There was never any problem with that. It was always going to be the case and we were so lucky to get him. I'm so grateful to Sheikh Mohammed for sending me the horse in the first place."

The owner's bloodstock agent John Ferguson confirmed: "He'll winter in Dubai and he'll be trained with the Derby in mind, but we might run him in the Guineas too. I think the last Group One we won here in these colours would have been Shantou's Leger in 1996."