Tye Angland won’t contemplate another riding assignment at Royal Ascot just yet but is delighted Trapeze Artist will continue to race.
Angland joined trainer Gerald Ryan in expressing his happiness when it was confirmed the triple Group One-winning colt would not head to stud until 2019.
Trapeze Artist’s owner Bert Vieira has opted to race Trapeze Artist as a four-year-old rather than accept offers of more than $40 million to retire the in-form sprinter.
The second edition of The Everest is now a priority in October while a trip to Hong Kong in December and Royal Ascot next year is also on the agenda.
Angland guided Trapeze Artist to his maiden Group One victory in the Golden Rose last spring and also saluted on the three-year-old in the TJ Smith Stakes and Saturday’s All Aged Stakes.
“Obviously for me, I wanted him to stick on and run,” Angland said.
“It’s just good to see a three-year-old colt stick on and have a crack. A lot of people would have sold him on.”
Angland suspected he was on something special when Trapeze Artist claimed the Golden Rose by 4-1/4 lengths.
“I didn’t know much about him leading into it and the manner in which he won it was very impressive,” he said.
Trapeze Artist then headed to Flemington where he was unplaced in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes last November.
Tim Clark rode Trapeze Artist at the start of his autumn program in the Expressway Stakes, Hobartville Stakes and Randwick Guineas as Angland had commitments to dual Group One winner Ace High.
Angland returned for the TJ Smith Stakes, and a memorable triumph over inaugural Everest winner Redzel.
The 28-year-old is excited about the prospect of continuing his association with Trapeze Artist in the Everest for slot holder Aquis Farm.
“I think he’s still got improvement. Everything is leaning towards him still going up in ability,” Angland said.
“Hopefully he comes back and we have a nice run leading into the Everest.”
If quarantine restrictions allow, Trapeze Artist could race in Hong Kong at the International meeting and then be aimed at Royal Ascot.
Angland spent four years in Hong Kong and also has experience at Royal Ascot where he rode the Paul Messara-trained Alverta who was unplaced in the 2010 Golden Jubilee before her third in the July Cup at Newmarket.
