Trainer Fellowes Seeks Belmont Derby Win With Luther

Newmarket trainer Charlie Fellowes will aim to add the United States to the list of countries where he has saddled winners when he sends out Luther  in the July 4 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course. In doing so, the trainer who already has claimed major races in Europe, Qatar, Dubai, and Australia also will seek to have his group/grade 1 breakthrough.

Luther, a son of Frankel  , won a listed stakes in his third start as a 2-year-old. His career-best performance however came in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1), where he finished fourth, only a length behind two multiple group 1 winners. He then stepped up to 2,200 meters (about 1 3/8 miles) in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, G1) where he was forced to race wide with no cover due to a poor draw, fading toward the latter stages of the race.

Fellowes spoke to Great British Racing International about his bid for the 1 1/8-mile Belmont Derby on the turf at Saratoga.

"We were delighted with Luther's run in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains," Fellowes said. "He had a wide draw and used up a lot of petrol to get a position, but still finished well. In the (French) Derby, he raced wide and probably did not stay that distance, so we felt that were reasons for him to finish tamely.

"He has been good since and trained very well. He did a lovely bit of work on Tuesday before flying on Wednesday. The tight track at Saratoga will suit him and he has a proper turn of foot, so I think the conditions could be in his favor. He's not the biggest horse, but he has the best attitude in the world. He has that will to win and wants to do his best."

Luther was sourced by agent Will Douglass of Charlie Gordon Watson Bloodstock from the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1. Speaking of the thrill Luther's owners have had, the trainer added: "He has been brilliant since he came to the yard. His listed win last year was electric and the owners have taken a huge amount of enjoyment racing him so far. Paul Hickman is based in Singapore and he wants to compete on the world stage, so it's been amazing for him. Nicholas Jones bred him and still owns a share which is great. He still has the mare and Luther has improved the pedigree."

Fellowes's career highlights include Royal Ascot and Qatar Goodwood Festival victories as well as nearly winning the group 1 Melbourne Cup not once or twice but three times. Prince Of Arran  finished on the podium of Australia's most prestigious race for three consecutive years from 2018-20. He also won a rich handicap at the Dubai Racing Carnival.

Of his international travels and success, Fellowes said: "I love having horses good enough to go abroad. You need the right ones and generally we have done really well. I am quite selective and would not run just for the sake of running, and with Luther, I feel that I have a horse who will love traveling.

"My days with Prince Of Arran were my best memories in racing. It's only when they're retired that you realize how incredible those horses are. Prince Of Arran turned up in the world's best races and consistently ran well. I adored traveling around the world with him."