The two best mates who trained horses named after each other set to clash in fight for Group 1 glory
BEST pals George Scott and Charlie Fellowes could go head to head for Group 1 French Derby glory on June 1.
The two handlers have long been buddies, and used to face-off in the George and Charlie: Off the Bridle podcast, although their last episode was in December of 2024.
Come on, lads, time for another!
Scott once trained a horse called Charlie Fellowes (wasn’t too bad) and Fellowes the gelding George Scott (never won!).
Now, Scott is primed to unleash the unbeaten Bay City Roller in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, while Fellowes has the option of France or Epsom for Luther, with the latter becoming increasingly more likely.
Bay City Roller, whose sire New Bay landed the 2015 Jockey Club, is unbeaten in three starts for Scott, winding up last season with success in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.
The handler told me: “It’s likely Bay City Roller will go to the Jockey Club with the ground unlikely to get any softer for the Irish 2000 Guineas.
“His work has been suggesting recently that he is now working towards his pedigree – his dam won over a mile and a half.
“I’m really pleased with him and he’s definitely a horse who needs some cut in the ground.
“I’m looking forward to getting him started. It’s not ideal he’s been off this long if you are going into a Classic you probably could do with a run.
“But he’s been to Chelmsford a couple of times and Sheikh Nasser (owner and yard sponsor under the banner Victorious Racing) is keen we try the French Derby route.”
Fellowes trained Luther to finish an admirable fourth in the French 2000 Guineas on the same day his Shes Perfect landed the French 1000, only to be disqualified in the stewards’ room.
Connections are appealing that decision.
“Both horses have two options and they both couldn’t have taken their races in France any better,” reports Fellowes.
“Shes Perfect lost a baffling four kilos for her journey over in a very tough race, which just shows her remarkable constitution.
“Luther lost ten kilos which again is pretty good. They are both in full work and both cantering away.
“Luther has the option of the French and English Derby. Straight after the race I was very much leaning towards the French Derby, but the longer I talk about it with the owners the more we sway towards the English Derby.
“On pedigree being by Frankel out of a Musidora winner he should stay and he looked like he would stay in France. And, there is only one Derby.
“As for Shes Perfect the decision is between the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) or the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
“She’s by Sioux Nation but out of a Galileo mare and every time something comes to her in her races she picks up again.
“If she was able to get out in front in a nice rhythm in France I think that could be the spot for her.
“The Coronation will be an extremely hot race with Lake Victoria, Zarigana and Flight likely to go, so we are probably leaning towards France and we might have unfinished business there!”
Good luck, lads.
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