RACEHORSE trainer from Pershore, Tony Caroll, boasts an incredibly strong hand, as he bids to win the ‘world’s fastest horse race’ for a second time at Epsom Down on Derby Day today (Saturday).
The Betfred ‘Dash’ Handicap is due to take place just 45 minutes before the Epsom Derby and is widely known as one of the quickest horse racing events on the planet, with Stone Of Folca setting a world record when winning it in 2012.
Carroll won the race with Caspian Prince in 2014 and he could have as many of three runners in the race this year, with Cindy Lou Who, Betsen and previous winner of the race Dream Composer.
Plenty of Carroll’s training colleagues are bracing for impact in terms of the weather, with lots of rain forecast between now and Saturday, but he revealed that damp ground would be just the tonic for his trio.
He said: “I’m very much looking forward to it and hopefully we’ll have three runners. Two are in the race and I think Dream Composer will just about squeeze in, so fingers crossed.
“Cindy Lou Who has done very well for us but she’s off a mark now that she might find difficult. She’s a really tough filly and she goes on any ground, she won’t mind the rain. She’s all good and ready to go.
“We’re pleased with Betson, he was good at Chepstow last time and I think the ground is important to him, he definitely wants ease in the ground and it looks like he’ll get in. He sits off the pace so a quick race will suit him.”
Dream Composer won the race in 2024 for trainer James Evans and the eight-year-old has done well since joining Carroll earlier in the year, winning on yard debut and finishing a solid fourth over this trip at Goodwood last month.
Carroll added: “Dream Composer is a previous winner of the race and he looked a tad unlucky at Goodwood the other day (when fourth).
“He’s another one who looks well-handicapped. You need a bit of luck and you need a good draw, but he’ll go there with a chance. He’s settled in well for us and we’re very happy with him. He’s getting on a little bit but he was very good in his day and he’s still got a lot of enthusiasm.
“Caspian Prince was a terrific horse for us, he took us to Dubai and all over, we had many super days with him. If any of this trio hit his level, they’ll do well.”
