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Originally owned by Andrew Balding's Kingsclere partnership, the horse won the Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury as a two year old before being bought by the powerful Qatar Racing partnership. He then tasted victory in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket before ending last year by winning the Racing Post Trophy - a Group One race, the toughest and most competitive in the schedule, over a mile.
He began his third year in the Dante Stakes over a mile and a quarter, coming third behind Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs. But with that run under his belt he went off 9/1 to win the big one - the mile and a half of the Derby. Andrea Atzeni, his jockey, tried to make the running out in front, before pulling him back halfway round. There were worries that the colt wouldn't enjoy the fast ground and the undulations of Epsom, and perhaps they proved right as he faded down the home straight, eventually finishing 11th of the 12 runners.
His two conquerors in the Dante came first and second in the Derby, Golden Horn justifying favouritism as he impressively stormed clear with Frankie Dettori aboard, beating Jack Hobbs by three and a half lengths.
Though he didn't perform up to his best today, hopefully he can go on to glory later in the season. No doubt all Royals fans will be monitoring his progress, and eagerly awaiting the appearance of their next Reading related colt - perhaps we could see Mad Stad in the 2000 Guineas in a few years...