Colin Keane chooses to take Siskin mount in Sussex Stakes at Goodwood
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Colin Keane will ride Siskin in next week’s Qatar Sussex Stakes, with the jockey believing the opportunity is “definitely worth” serving a 14-day quarantine period on his return to Ireland.
Keane, who won the Irish 2,000 Guineas on the Ger Lyons-trained colt, admits the decision to ride at Goodwood could possibly end his bid to regain the champion jockey title he won in 2017, but he is willing to take that chance.
“There are not too many like Siskin that I’ve got to sit on before, so when a horse like that comes around you want to be on him everyday – especially on the big days,” Keane told Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast.
“It’s definitely worth sacrificing the two weeks. Hopefully there’ll be other championships in the future, but there might not be another Siskin for a very long time, so I want to take every opportunity.
Relive Siskin's victory in the Irish 2,000 Guineas
“He’s been great since the Guineas, he looks a million dollars and we couldn’t be happier with him. We’ll keep him wrapped up and it’s about getting him there in one piece.”
Keane and Lyons added to their Classic tally on Saturday when Even So won the Irish Oaks.
“It was a brilliant weekend – it’s still surreal, and one we’ll remember for a while I think,” said Keane.
“Anytime I’ve ridden a Group One winner there’s been nobody there, so it’s strange but we’re not going to complain.
“There was a lot of pressure for Siskin, but not so much on the filly, so we were just hoping for black type. To go and do what she did was surreal, she was very good.”
Options for Earthlight’s next destination are open – with a step up to a mile for the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood not totally dismissed.
Andre Fabre’s colt is still unbeaten in six races, but a setback in the spring forced him to miss the French 2000 Guineas.
He reappeared over six furlongs in a Listed race on the same Deauville card that saw Pinatubo win the Prix Jean Prat and both sons of Shamardal are owned by Godolphin.
With Pinatubo not in contention for what looks likely to be a red-hot Sussex Stakes, Earthlight would be a fascinating addition to the likes of Siskin, Kameko, Mohaather and Circus Maximus.
“We haven’t totally decided yet. He could go to Goodwood, but if not he will go for the Maurice de Gheest,” said Fabre.
“He’s very fast and looks a real sprinter, but I’m convinced that he can go further.
“I think it was a good decision to split him and Pinatubo up last time and it will be up to Sheikh Mohammed where he runs.”
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