3 minute read
The Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef went the way of Andrew Balding for the first time in his career as a trainer following Array's hard-fought success in the Group 2 prize.
Named after the high-class 1971 Epsom Derby hero Mill Reef, who was trained by Andrew's father Ian Balding, the race has not returned to the Kingsclere yard since Firebreak landed the contest back in 2001.
However, twenty years on since Andrew took over the reins from his father Ian at the Kingsclere yard, Array would provide him with a first-ever success in the contest after battling on strongly to prevail in what was ultimately a messy race.
The well-supported 7/4 market leader was always well-positioned in the hands of three-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy and the Juddmonte-owned colt showed a determined attitude in the closing stages to fend off Mister Sketch by half a length.
George Scott's Seven Questions, who had to switch around rivals with a furlong to run, kept on strongly once in the clear to finish an unlucky third.
Balding said: "Obviously this race is important to our family.
"We try to find one for it, but Dad trained our last winner, Firebreak, while I've had two seconds and a third before this.
"I can't see why this won't be a horse with a big future and Oisin thinks it would be worth trying him over further. It's not impossible he will get a mile.
"He was very tough today and has a great mind on him.
"The Middle Park is too soon and if he was supplemented into the Dewhurst, it would need a unanimous decision."