When we got this fellow back home from the Breeze-Up sale we noticed a little bit of discomfort in his front legs, so we got the vet to scan both legs and sure enough he did pick up a slight problem in his fetlocks – equivalent to the human ankle really. This was nothing serious, just a sign of his physical immaturity. It's not unusual in young horses who have been prepared for the breeze-ups as they have to be pushed a little bit to get ready for the sales, their one opportunity in the shop window.

The vet suggested that some box rest would suffice, so he had an easy six weeks. When he was scanned again last week we were much happier and the vet gave us the go ahead to just step up his work, so we’ve got him on the treadmill and in the spa to keep him moving while not putting too much stress on the joints.

We thought it made sense to get him gelded while he was having an easy time, not because he was a difficult character or anything – he was a bit of a lad but that wasn’t surprising as he wasn’t doing any work – but because the reality is 95% of colts aren’t going to make stallions. Not just because they don’t show ability on the track, but because they don’t have a suitable pedigree. Now he’s been gelded, he can concentrate fully on being a racehorse.

In terms of timing, I think the break will have done him plenty of good. He’s quite a big horse, and his close relatives weren’t early two-year-old types, so we’re very comfortable that giving him this time to mature now will pay dividends in the future. Knowing where we are with him right now, and given a clear run with him, I’d say we’d be looking at early September for his debut run. Whatever he does this year, he’s definitely one for next season.

John Quinn, Coral Racing Club Trainer