Derby contenders: Casual Conquest | Curtain Call | Doctor Fremantle | Frozen Fire | Henrythenavigator | Kandahar Run | King Of Rome | New Approach | Tajaaweed | Tartan Bearer

CASUAL CONQUEST (IRE) 3-y-o (26 Jan 2005) b c

Hernando(FR) - Lady Luck (IRE) (Kris)

Trainer: D K Weld Owner: Moyglare Stud Farm Bred: Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd

By Graham Richards. Graham's guide to the Flat for 2008 is out now - order your copy for only £10 today.

Casual Conquest is a son of Hernando whose progeny improve enormously from two to three-years. As a three-year-old, Hernando won the Prix Lupin and the French Derby, before finishing second in the Irish Derby. At four-years, he was second in the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe and fourth in the Japan Cup. In his final year on the racecourse, he finished second to Turk Passer in the Group One Turf Classic Invitational Handicap at Belmont Park, before an honourable third in the Japan Cup. Twenty starts yielded seven wins all coming in Listed or Group races.

Hernando has bred two French Derby winners in Sulamani and Holding Court, the former going on to further glory in the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe. Despite the aforementioned horses preferring an easy surface, Hernando has sired Asian Heights, Mr Combustible, and Atlando, all Group winners on good or faster ground. Casual Conquest’s dam ran twice, winning the second of those races over a mile on good to firm ground. She has produced two other foals, both of whom won.

Casual Conquest made his debut at Leopardstown last October. Noted as a fine big colt with scope, he looked as though he would need time grow and develop into his frame. In the early stages of the race, he tracked the leaders in fourth place. Travelling ominously well three-furlongs from home, he took up the running with a furlong and a half to run. Challenged hard in the final furlong he held on all out.

Casual Conquest made his 2008 return to the track in the Derrinstown Stud Derby trial at Leopardstown, producing a sensational performance. Following a decent early pace, he turned into the straight last of the five runners. However, when switched to the outside he flew past his rivals, and was soon six-lengths clear with the race won. The highly touted Washington Irving, who possesses a BHB rating of 108, was left standing in the winner’s vapour trail. The time of the race was excellent, and the fastest since High Chaparral in 2002. Visually, I feel it was the most taking trial we have seen. One hopes the Moyglare Stud, who own and bred the horse, pay the vast supplementary fee. Casual Conquest has shown he can handle good to firm ground and a sharp left-handed bend. Despite his size, he travels like a horse that will handle the cambers at Epsom. If allowed to take his chance, he should be able to put his devastating turn of foot to good use up the home straight.