Damysus pencilled in for Sandown return in the spring

Damysus is giving his connections plenty to get excited about having ended his season on a high at Newmarket last weekend.

The talented son of Frankel earned his spot in the Derby when second in the Dante earlier this season and although things did not go to plan at Epsom, he roared back to top form by following up Listed victory at Deauville in August with a stylish Group Three triumph in the Darley Stakes.

Richard Brown, racing manager for owners Wathnan Racing, said: “We were delighted with his win at Newmarket, he’s such a cool horse and personally I love Damysus what with his markings. He’s just a strong-travelling colt with a really good turn of foot and an awful lot of talent.

“James didn’t feel Newmarket really suited him and he didn’t really enjoy the dip. Going into it didn’t play to his strengths but as he came out of it and hit the rising ground, he went again and James then knew he wouldn’t get beat and said it brought the best out of him.

“We might have to consider whether we avoid Newmarket in the future, but at the same time he has done it now and he will be better next time and he’s got a bright future.”

Damysus is trained by John and Thady Gosden, who have won the Darley Stakes in recent years with subsequent Group One scorers Lead Artist and Mostahdaf.

Time will tell if the strapping colt will follow in their footsteps, but connections are entitled to aim high, with Sandown’s Gordon Richards Stakes mooted as a possible starting point for next season after it was confirmed Damysus will not travel abroad this winter.

Brown said: “We’ll look to start him off next year in the Gordon Richards at Sandown and hopefully he is a colt that is going into winter quarters we can be excited about next year.

“You are on the collar the whole way at Sandown, so hopefully that is a nice place to start and then hopefully build from there.

“He’ll not go abroad anywhere this winter, we’ll put him away and give him a good winter break and look forward to next year probably starting at Sandown.”