Royal Ascot 2024: Fahey Discusses His Runners, Including Commonwealth Cup Hopeful Malc
Prominent racehorse trainer Richard Fahey is gearing up for an exciting Royal Ascot 2024 meet, with several promising horses set to compete across various races. In a recent interview, Fahey shared his thoughts on his runners, including Malc, who will be vying for glory in the prestigious Commonwealth Cup.
Reflecting on his stable’s performance at the Windsor Castle Stakes earlier in the week, Fahey expressed his disappointment with Shadow Army’s run, stating, “> He was doing everything right at home going into it and I was expecting a big run, but it just didn’t happen for him on the day.” However, Fahey remains optimistic, noting that “he came out of the race fine, which is the main thing, and you can obviously have days like this at Ascot.”
Turning his attention to the upcoming races, Fahey discussed his Thursday runners, including Maywake in the Buckingham Palace Stakes, whom he believes has a chance to excel if he can recapture the form he displayed when winning at Sandown last year.
The focus then shifts to Friday’s Commonwealth Cup, where Fahey’s runner Malc will be one to watch. “Firstly, he ran a mighty race when placed in the Norfolk here last season, and we are very, very pleased with him at home,” Fahey said. “He’s the best we’ve ever had him right now. Whether that’s good enough to win might be another matter, but a few of the fancied horses have come out, and it isn’t quite as deep a race as it was looking at one stage.” Fahey also spoke highly of Malc’s recent training performances, noting that “he has produced his best ever pieces of work in the build-up.”
In the closing Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes on Friday, Fahey has two runners, Airman and Dark Vintage, whom he believes are closely matched. “I don’t think there’s a lot between my two in the closing Palace Of Holyrood House Stakes,” he said, adding that he is “looking forward to seeing [Airman] run” and that Dark Vintage, who recently came over from America, “is one who’ll be coming home well” on the stiffer Ascot track.
Fahey’s Saturday runners include the promising Native American in the Jersey Stakes, whom he believes will thrive over the stiff seven furlongs at Ascot, and Strike Red in the Wokingham Handicap, a race Fahey hopes will be run on softer ground to suit the horse’s preferred conditions.
Away from Royal Ascot, Fahey also discussed his runners at Redcar and Ayr, including the debutant Peninsula Power and the half-brother to Malc, Uncle Don, whom Fahey is “really lik[ing]” and expects to run well.
As the prestigious Royal Ascot meet approaches, the racing world will be eager to see how Fahey’s stable performs, with Malc in the Commonwealth Cup and several other promising horses set to take center stage.
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