• Horse Racing

Sir Alex's Derby hopes hit by Telescope injury

ESPN staff
May 14, 2013
Telescope, seen here picking up his maiden win at Newmarket, is out of Thursday's Dante Stakes © PA Photos
Enlarge

Sir Alex Ferguson may have ended his 26-year reign as Manchester United manager with a 13th Premier League title, but his hopes of winning the Derby are in doubt after Telescope was withdrawn from Thursday's Dante Stakes at York.

The Galileo colt, part-owned by Ferguson and trained by Sir Michael Stoute, suffered a minor infection in grazes on two of his legs caused while being loaded onto a horsebox and he was not among the eight runners declared at the 48-hour stage for the Knavesmire feature.

Harry Herbert, racing manager to owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: "It's obviously very disappointing, particularly for all of his owners, that Telescope cannot run in the Dante on Thursday.

"Sir Michael couldn't give him anti-inflammatories as it was too close to the Dante and unfortunately we have discovered through a blood test that the grazes have become infected.

"We are hoping that he will still make it to the Derby and Sir Michael is hoping to give him a racecourse gallop in preparation."

Telescope claimed his maiden win at Newmarket in September, while his only other start as a juvenile resulted in a promising runner-up finish to Snow King on debut at Ascot earlier that month.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices