Freddy Head has French Derby aim for Another Sky

Keith Hamer
March 4, 2020 3:15 pm

Well-bred colt impressed on debut at Chantilly.

Freddy Head will prepare Another Sky for the Prix du Jockey Club after the colt made an impressive debut at Chantilly.

The half-brother to 2016 French Derby and Champion Stakes winner Almanzor delighted the trainer, as he made most of the running and coasted home by four and a half lengths, despite being eased down in the closing stages.

Head revealed it was the kind of performance he had been hoping for.

“He’s a horse I love. He’s got everything. He’s a beautiful horse – he’s got a lovely action, a great temperament,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

“I was really waiting to see him in a race, but he was impressive. When he kicked, he really changed gear.

“I expected everything because I think he’s a good horse, but now I’m happy and I’m relieved.

“The going is so bad, we’ve had so much rain that I didn’t want to run him on very heavy ground in a turf race.

“The race came a bit early, but I’m very happy he’s run. It gives me plenty of time for the good races.

“The aim is for the end of May. There aren’t many races to be run before that. He won’t run in the Poule D’Essai (French 2000 Guineas). We’ll get him ready for the French Derby if we can.”

Head is to aim Call The Wind for another crack at the Dubai World Cup following his victory in Saudi Arabia.

The six-year-old stayer was third to Cross Counter in the Group Two last spring and trainer Freddy Head is keen to take him back to Meydan.

The Frankel gelding certainly staked a strong claim for honours in the long-distance division when comfortably beating Mekong by two and a half lengths.

“I loved the way he behaved and the way he ran. That horse is still improving,” said Head.

“The horse travelled very well. I’m very happy. He’s come back and he looks great. If all goes well he’ll go

back to Meydan.

“He finished third last year. If he he has improved, I think we have a chance.”

Looking further into the season, Head has no stamina concerns for Call The Wind as he already shown he stays two and a half miles, but the Ascot Gold Cup is a different matter.

“I thought even 3000 metres was a bit short for him. We won the Cadran with him (over two and a half miles in 2018). He was second last year, a bit unlucky,” he said.

“We’ll see. The Ascot Gold Cup is a special race. I don’t want to hurt him. I want to keep him fresh. We’ve got many years to come.”