Bucanero Fuerte back next year with Classic bid in mind

Nick Robson
September 20, 2023 12:57 pm

A 2000 Guineas will be the focus for Group One winner.

Bucanero Fuerte is finished for the season and will be trained in the early part of next with with a Guineas in mind.

Trainer Adrian Murray felt his lacklustre display in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes behind Henry Longfellow was a result of having one race too many.

He had earlier proved his class with a striking four-length victory in the Group One Phoenix Stakes over six furlongs, but Murray believes he was beaten too far out at the Curragh for stamina to have been the issue on his first attempt over seven.

“Nothing came to light, it just looked to me like it was a race too many for him,” said Murray.

Adrian Murray's career has been rejuvenated by his link with Amo Racing — Adrian Murray’s career has been rejuvenated by his link with Amo Racing (Brian Lawless/PA)

“He’s on a break now, he won’t run again until next year. I’ve given him an entry in the Irish Guineas and he’ll also get entered in the English Guineas.

“Hopefully he’ll have a prep run before going for one of those.

“He was beaten way too far out for it to be the trip, he was beaten before halfway, he never really travelled in the race.

“In all his other races he’d travelled so strongly but it was always going to probably happen because he’s a big colt, immature, and it was just a race too many really.

“He’s had five races now so he’s got plenty of experience at two if we’re thinking of a Guineas. That’s the plan anyway.”

Valiant Force sprang a huge shock at Royal Ascot (PA)

Stablemate Valiant Force was a 150-1 winner of the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and has only been seen once since, when fifth of nine in the Prix Morny behind Vandeek.

“Valiant Force is going to go straight to the Breeders’ Cup,” said Murray.

“The plan for him is for him to then stay in America after that.

“We had him in at Doncaster last week but we had to take him out because of the ground, it’s frustrating because we just can’t get the ground to suit him. That wouldn’t have suited at all last week.

“I’m not sure yet which race he’ll run in over there, I’ll have to talk to Kia (Joorabchian, owner), he’ll have a few options.”