Godolphin splashes out to buy Libertarian

Trained near Leyburn by Elaine Burke and her husband Karl, they will oversee Libertarian’s preparations for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday week when he will attempt to gain revenge on his Epsom conqueror Ruler Of The World.

The only difference is that he will run in Godolphin’s royal blue silks after Danish entrepreneur Hubert Strecker, who also dreamed of having a Derby runner, received an offer that was said to be too good to refuse.

It was still unclear whether Godolphin will allow Libertarian, a leading fancy for September’s Ladbrokes St Leger, to remain in training with the Burkes after the Irish Derby – or whether he will switch to the Newmarket yard of Saeed bin Suroor.

“All we know is that he stays with us until the Irish Derby,” said Karl Burke. “If he does leave the yard, it’s a big hole but we will be grateful to have had him and not many people get the chance to train a Godolphin horse for a Classic. Let’s hope we win the Irish Derby and we get to keep him.”

A son of Sheikh Mohammed’s star sire New Approach, the 2008 Derby winner, the sale is not a huge surprise – Strecker received offers for Libertarian, who cost just over £40,000, after his shock Dante win under William Buick.

Godolphin are also looking to rebuild their racing and breeding operation following the recent drugs scandal – 2012 St Leger winner Encke is among those ruled out for the season following a positive test.

Tommy Stack will always be synonymous with partnering Red Rum to a historic third Grand National win in 1977, but he can train a second Royal Ascot winner today with Alive Alive Oh in the opening Ribblesdale Stakes.

The daughter of Duke Of Marmalade made her debut behind Irish Guineas winner Magician last October but has looked a different proposition this season. She won a maiden at Cork before taking the Listed Salsabil Stakes by six lengths.

“Everything has gone well the last few weeks with her,” said Fozzy Stack, son and assistant to his father. “We’re very excited about her.”