15 July 2018
Photo SCOOPDYGA / PA Images / Icon Sport
Masar (New Approach), the Epsom Derby winner (Gr1), is to miss the rest for the season, including the 2018 edition of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. However, the 2019 edition of the ‘Arc’ could well form part of the colt’s agenda. The Godolphin runner hasn’t raced since his Derby win. The colt had been pencilled-in for a crack at the Eclipse Stakes (Gr1) on July 7th, only to be sidelined from the Sandown race after heat was detected in his off-fore. After taking ‘veterinary’ advice, owner Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, and trainer Charlie Appleby, have called time on the rest of this season.
Trainer Charlie Appleby said: « The vet has seen a change in the soft tissue damage to Masar’s off-fore, and after speaking to His Highness, we have decided to call a halt to the colt’s season immediately. Sheikh Mohammed is keen for Masar to run again at four, and if we are to deliver on that, the best option is to give him a long break. He’s going to be on the ‘easy’ list for six to eight weeks in any case, and that leaves little time to prepare him properly for the big targets in the final months of this season. In time, though, we can give him the right preparation for big races such as next year’s Coronation Cup, which is over the same course and distance as the Derby. Other targets we will look at are Ascot’s Group 1 King George and the Group 1 ‘Arc.’ »
The bookmakers reacted by removing Masar from their Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe antepost lists. The colt had been trading at odds of around 10-1.