3 minute read
Oisin Murphy cannot wait to team up again with Telecaster after the Dante Stakes winner was on Monday supplemented at a cost of £85,000 for the Investec Derby at Epsom.
Murphy enjoyed a stellar campaign last year, winning nine Group 1s, and fleetingly thought the Derby was within his grasp when Roaring Lion travelled effortlessly into contention before fading into third.
He said: "I was last off the bridle on Roaring Lion last year and it would be nice to still be travelling on Telecaster at the three-furlong pole and then see what happens.
"He's a beautiful colt physically and he has a high cruising speed. He was an impressive winner of the Dante Stakes and he's a quality horse."
Telecaster is bred to go close in the Epsom Classic, being a son of Derby winner New Approach and Oaks runner-up Shirocco Star, and was put through his paces on Monday in a gallop which pleased Murphy.
The 23-year-old said: "He felt really well and he looks great. He's eating and drinking by all accounts, so everything is going to plan.
"I was delighted that Hughie [Morrison, trainer] and the owners made the decision to supplement as races don't get much bigger than the Derby. He's the right type of horse for the race – by a Derby winner out of an Oaks second – so it's exciting."
Telecaster, a general 5-1 shot, is the leading British-trained contender in a race dominated by Aidan O'Brien, who is responsible for eight of the 15 potential runners.
However, Murphy is not concerned about taking on the Ballydoyle battalion and said: "I'm not worried about the numbers against me. I know all the lads well and, remember, I spent two summers at Ballydoyle.
"It's my fifth Derby too and I've ridden in Arcs and Guineas where I've been outnumbered like that before. I'll be fine."