03 May 2024 , 11:34
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A little-known English jockey and trainer from Ireland hope to take US racing by storm in America’s biggest horse race on Saturday.
Adam ‘Biscuit’ Beschizza will have his second ride in the £4million Kentucky Derby for Co Meath-born John Ennis, who had a brief career as an amateur jump jockey in Ireland before emigrating west.
They secured their chance to run Epic Ride by coming off the reserve list at three days’ notice when Godolphin-owned Encino was scratched
In Britain Beschizza, 31, recorded the notable feat of winning the Autumn Double, riding the winners of both the Cambrideshire and Cesarewitch in 2015,, two of the season’s most competitive handicaps.
But since taking a speculative trip to the US in 2017, he has not not returned home to Newmarket. He has ridden 644 winners of over £26 million in prize-money.
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He has ridden Epic Ride in every start, most recently when third in the Blue Grass Stakes won by Kentucky Derby favourite Sierra Leone.
“This horse is going to run well,” said Beschizza, who finished seventh on his Kentucky Derby debut in 2020.
“I’ve been doing a deep dive into my homework and I think he is a seriously talented horse. Whether the race has come a bit early in his career, we will see, but I am looking forward to a big run from Epic Ride.”
Epic Ridge: exercising at Churchill Downs (Getty Images)The colt. who is partnered in his work by James Doyle's sister Sophie, was a first runner at the highest level for Ennis who has built his stable of 50 horses from the ground up since arriving in Kentucky to gallop horses.
“This is what dreams are made of,” he said. “It’s my first time in this situation, I’d never ran in a Grade 1 up until the Blue Grass. I’m sure it is going to get me a little bit of notice. I am so blessed and lucky to be here.
“The news is just breaking back there in my village in Ireland. Longwood, There are a couple of pubs, a church, a couple of schools. That’s about it.”
“I’ve never been to the Derby. I’ve lived here about 14 years and said I wouldn’t come to the Derby unless I had a runner. I’m here now. I can’t wait for the walk over.
“I’m not coming here to make the numbers. I think my horse has a legitimate chance.”