3 minute read

William Haggas has confirmed that his impressive Dante Stakes scorer Economics will not head to Epsom at the beginning of next month.

A commanding winner of a Newbury maiden on his second start, Economics took the step up in class in his stride when breezing clear of a talented field to land the Dante Stakes by an eased down six lengths at York last week.

William Haggas' son of Night Of Thunder did hold an entry in the Epsom Derby but was removed from the Classic prior to his York demolition, with the Newmarket-based handler keen to stress he "didn't think it was the right track and the right race for him at this stage of his career."

Connections did have the option to supplement their colt to the Derby field at a cost of £75,000 but Haggas revealed following discussions that Economics will not be readded.

"We want to give him more time, he's a big lovely, scopey horse," said Haggas, speaking on the Nick Luck Daily podcast.

"It's a shame these races come up so quickly and he just needs some more time, that's my view.

"He's Sheikh Isa's horse, but he's very respectful of his trainers and he felt with Jake (Warren, racing manager) that we made a team decision. We discussed this at length before the Dante and my view never changed, but obviously, it's a huge race and with fancied horses falling by the wayside the temptation became greater.

"The Derby is the Derby and while we might go over a mile and a half later in the year, at the moment we feel that a mile and a quarter is good for him. He's got plenty of speed, he's by Night Of Thunder.

"It's my job to look after the horse to the best of my ability and if that's not good enough so be it."

With Economics now ruled out of both the English and French Derby, Haggas seems keen to take a patient approach with his rising star.

He said: "We'll know at the end of the season how well the Dante works out, but I don't know where we will see him next. I just want to let him mature, he's an enormous horse and can do so much more physically, that's what is exciting me.

"It's hard enough to get a nice horse, it's another thing to ruin one.

"We think and hope the fact he bled at York was because he banged his head on the stall. We've scoped him since, and it was fine."