Rob Hornby to be reunited with Westover in the Arc

Rob Hornby will be reunited with Westover in next Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the jockey has revealed in an exclusive interview on Racing TV’s Luck On Sunday programme.

Westover ran an eye-catching third when unlucky in running in the Cazoo Derby at Epsom in early June before Colin Keane – the Irish champion jockey and owner Juddmonte’s retained rider in Ireland – was handed the ride in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby later that month before maintaining the partnership in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot.

After landing the Irish Derby by seven lengths, Westover was a short price for the King George but only beat one of five rivals home, trailing home 18 lengths behind the winner Pyledriver.

Hornby admitted his disappointment at losing the Irish Derby ride but acknowledged that turning to Keane and his experience of the Curragh was understandable, while Barry Mahon – general manager for Juddmonte – said before the King George that there was “no major thinking” in sticking with Keane given their close association and that first retainer Ger Lyons did not require Keane on the day.

Hornby told Racing TV’s Nick Luck that he would be back on board Westover for the Arc, one of the world’s most prestigious middle-distance races.

“It’s hugely exciting and I’m just really looking forward to getting back on him,” said Hornby.

“I’ve ridden Westover in his last four pieces of work and he seems good. He’s done well from that break (since the King George) because he was lightly-raced at two but had quite a busy three-year-old campaign building up for the Derby.

“He was still developing as a three-year-old colt and he’s a very generous horse who gives you everything. He put a lot into his Epsom run and the experience takes a lot out of a horse, and then the trip to Ireland where he explosive and destroyed his field but again he put a lot into his run.

“He hits the line strong in every race he runs in. Ascot was tough for him again, he put everything into his run but he’s an exuberant horse and Ascot over a mile and a half is a tough start and a tough track for horse like him – it’s a downhill two and a half furlongs into a bend. He’s done really well from the break which was the right thing to do for the horse to target him for Paris.”

On what the decision means to him personally, Hornby added: “It’s hugely satisfying for myself. It’s another chapter to what’s been a crazy year – and another opportunity that I’ve been given kindly by Juddmonte, Barry Mahon and Tom Mockridge, and for (trainer) Ralph (Beckett) to have the faith and belief that he wants me to ride him.”

Westover is currently a top-priced 18-1 for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe behind 9-2 favourite Luxembourg.