Maltese Cross (Fr)

In conditions more akin to the festive period then summertime at Epsom, Ballydoyle's Christmas Day mastered the gruelling test the 2026 G1 Betfred Derby became to provide Camelot with his first Blue Riband. The subject of increased support as every shower rained down on the Surrey venue, the 7-1 shot was sent forward by Ronan Whelan to race second from the outset and when committed in early straight galloped relentlessly to a 2 3/4-length success from Maltese Cross (Sea The Stars). Third was James J Braddock (Zarak), 2 1/2 lengths...

Declarations for Epsom's G1 Betfred Derby and G1 Betfred Oaks were confirmed Wednesday morning with 14 standing their ground for Saturday's Blue Riband and G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Precise (Starspangledbanner) the only notable absentee from Friday's Oaks. Last month's G3 Chester Vase winner Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel) is joined by Aidan O'Brien stablemates Action (Frankel), Christmas Day (Camelot) and Pierre Bonnard (Camelot) as the trainer seeks to enhance his record haul of 11 in the Derby. Other leading contenders Ancient Egypt (Frankel), Bay Of Brilliance (New Bay), Maltese Cross (Sea...

Britain will have at least one key player in the Derby after TDN Rising Star Maltese Cross (Sea The Stars) battled to prevail in Saturday's Listed Lingfield Derby Trial for the William Haggas stable. After a thrilling tussle with fellow Brit Bay Of Brilliance (New Bay) in the extended 11-furlong prep, George Waud's flagbearer who took a key Newbury Derby pointer last month edged that Ralph Beckett-trained colt by a neck as they pulled 6 1/2 lengths clear of Balzac (Japan) in third. "He did well at Newbury, but I must...

Minutes after the sensational debut of I'm The One at Newbury, Sea The Stars was pinged back into the spotlight as his son Maltese Cross provided him with a quickfire double of TDN Rising Stars, Presented by Hagyard. While his narrow win lacked the visual panache of that provided by the filly who preceded him, George Waud's Newmarket maiden winner who represents the same Camelot cross was winning a competitive renewal of this Darley EBF Novice Stakes which boasts such a rich history. "I thought this was a strong race...