Yorkshire’s sporting history in hands of content Libertarian

“It’s the smoothest I have seen him do a bit of work, to be honest,” said North Yorkshire trainer Karl Burke after his head lad Shaun Johnson had pulled up the laid-back Libertarian yesterday morning. “The main thing is to just keep him ticking over, and sound, until the race on Saturday.”

An impressive winner of the Betfred Dante Stakes at York two weeks ago – the most prestigious of the Derby trials – Libertarian will make Yorkshire sporting history if he wins Flat racing’s most iconic prize on Saturday under William Buick who has been confirmed as the horse’s big race rider.

The last Yorkshire-trained winner of the Epsom Derby was Tom Dawson’s Pretender who prevailed in 1869, though Dante won the 1945 wartime renewal staged at Newmarket on a course which did not feature the Surrey track’s unique and challenging undulations.

However, the 1978 Derby hero Shirley Heights – trained by the now retired John Dunlop – was owned locally by Lord Halifax.

Leyburn-based Burke, who trains Libertarian with his wife Elaine, is delighted that Buick has stayed loyal to the Dante winner whose chances will have been enhanced by the deluge to fall over Epsom yesterday.

He was full of praise for the Northern Racing College graduate’s temperament and horsemanship. Asked to name the 24-year-old’s strengths, Burke said: “It’s probably easier to list his weaknesses, if there are any.”

White Rose hopes on Saturday will also be carried by Harrogate-born James Tate, the nephew of legendary trainer Michael Dickinson, who confirmed that Mirsaale is an intended runner.

It will be the 33-year-old’s first runner in the race and confirms Tate’s rich promise as a trainer – he acquired his stables at Newmarket less than two years ago after serving his apprenticeship as a vet at the Middleham yard of Classic-winning trainer Mark Johnston.

Meanwhile, the Investec Derby build-up continues to be dominated by speculation surrounding the possible participation of Magician after the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt won the Irish 2000 Guineas on Saturday.

The Ballydoyle trainer, still responsible for six of the remaining 15 entries, is likely to maintain his own counsel until the final declarations are made tomorrow morning.

One of the Ballydoyle battalion could still be ridden by former champion jockey Frankie Dettori – but the 2007 Derby-winning jockey is still awaiting clearance from the French and British racing authorities to resume riding following a six-month suspension for cocaine use.

His solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore and French agent Herve Naggar were present at a meeting with the French authority yesterday. A decision is expected by the end of the week.