Mark down the name’s Deauville Legend.
The James Ferguson trained son of Sea The Stars has been installed as the current favourite for the 2022 Melbourne Cup after his win in the Group 2 Great Voltigear Stakes at York yesterday.
And El Bodegon, another Ferguson trained runner who finished third in the race behind his stable companion, is likely to also have a date down under with his target being the 2022 Cox Plate.
“Credit to both horses, they’ve both run fantastic races and I’m delighted for both sets of owners,” Ferguson in the post-race interview, as reported by attheraces, adding, “they should both have successful careers Down Under.
“At the moment El Bodegon is in the Cox Plate and Deauville Legend is in the Melbourne Cup, but that’s not all set in stone. Quarantine is about two weeks. Hopefully they be in Australia in early October.”
Deauville Legend had won a Group 3 race during the Newmarket July Festival before having to settle for runner-up finishes at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, but his all-round consistency found its due reward again in the Great Voltigear under an unflappable ride by his regular pilot, Daniel Muscutt, who had to be patient when held up for a run for quite a way in the home straight.
“One moment I was concentrating on El Bodegon, as I thought Dan was in trouble and the next moment I saw him with a double handful. He gave him a beautiful ride and didn’t panic.
“Deauville Legend has improved with every race and has come out of each race so well. The team have done a great job with him.
“He’s getting better with age,” said Ferguson, for whom an Australian adventure now beckons!
