Chrome to Get Break Before Ascot

Horse of the Year and recent G1 Dubai World Cup runner-up California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) will get a two-week break in the Rae Guest yard before he heads to the Newmarket gallops. The big chestnut, who has been under the care of trainer Art Sherman for his entire career, will transfer to the Guest barn for a tilt at Royal Ascot. 

“It’s a great honor to have him and we’re very lucky to be that close to a GI Kentucky Derby winner,” Guest told Racing UK. “We’re going to give him two weeks off, then get him back up and see how he is.” 

The G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury May 16 could be a possible first European start for California Chrome, while the G1 Prince of Wales’s S. at Royal Ascot June 17 remains the ultimate target. 

“Art’s son Alan is going to come over and see him in about a month’s time and make a decision which way they go with him,” Guest continued. “Because they are used to training on their own in America, we will probably just send him out with another horse to start with. We will try and train him quite normally, but not with the string, just with another gelding to lead him. It takes some getting used to Newmarket to start with. Whether he goes for the Lockinge will be found out in the next month because it will be different for him. For a couple of weeks he will be getting used to Newmarket and English ways.” 

Guest said the connection with Sherman was established through Chris Mills, who has horses with Guest. “His son Robbie worked for Art Sherman in California a couple of years ago and he was out there riding before Saturday’s racing in Dubai,” Guest said. “We had a chat and they asked if the horse came to England could he stay with me and liaise with Robbie, who they knew.”