Demarchelier on to Longtime Target Belmont Derby

Peter Brant's Demarchelier was in good shape the morning of June 2, the day after his Pennine Ridge Stakes (G3T) victory at Belmont Park, trainer Chad Brown reported. The 3-year-old Dubawi colt is on course to make his next appearance in the $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) July 6.

As far as looking ahead at the inaugural Turf Trinity, which consists of the Belmont Derby and two new races—the Aug. 4 Saratoga Derby and Sept. 7 Jockey Club Derby, Brown only committed to the Belmont Derby for the time being.

"I'm just going to take it a race at a time," he said.

Demarchelier is on his way to earning back his $592,487 purchase price with $188,520 in earnings and a 3-for-3 race record. Bred in England by Newsells Park Stud, Demarchelier was picked up by Brant's White Birch Farm at the 2017 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. He arrived in Brown's barn last summer, debuted Nov. 21 at Aqueduct Racetrack, and returned April 12 in a Keeneland allowance.

"Since he broke his maiden last fall, we had our eyes on the Belmont Derby as a big summertime target for the following year," Brown said. "And it seems like he's on track to do that."

Demarchelier's pedigree gave every indication he would excel on the track. He is by a leading sire in Europe and out of the Sadler's Wells mare Loveisallyouneed, a full sister to group 1 winners Yesterday and Quarter Moon, respective winners of the Entenmann's Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) and Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1).

The bay colt's distaff line also traces to group 1 winners Diamondsandrubies, Allegretto, Aussie Rules, Alborada, and Albanova, who are among a long list of stakes winners. Group 1 races won by the family's top performers include the French St. Leger, French Two Thousand Guineas, Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes, and Pretty Polly Stakes.

"He's just a really well-bred horse top and bottom, good-looking horse," Brown said of Demarchelier. "He's got all the tools to be a top racehorse."