Cross‑Atlantic mission for a former Royal Ascot runner
Kia Joorabchian has confirmed that Ancient Egypt will travel to Saratoga to contest Saturday’s Christophe Clement Turf Stakes, the Grade One contest most commonly known to British followers as the Sword Dancer. The son of Frankel arrives in New York having been campaigned through the pattern races in this country and continental Europe, and connections hope the trip will yield a first top‑level success.
Profile of a well‑bred contender
Trained by Charlie Johnston, Ancient Egypt was a high‑profile purchase as a yearling, fetching 1.1 million guineas, and has been campaigned with major targets in mind. He won the Newmarket Stakes as a three‑year‑old, which secured him a place in the Epsom Derby, and has since run prominently in several noted middle‑distance contests. While the Derby did not go to plan, he went on to finish close up at Royal Ascot and in the Grand Prix de Paris, performances that underlined his quality and the high regard in which he is held.
Questions over the track
Joorabchian admitted there are concerns about whether the horse’s long, ground‑covering stride will suit the tighter, quicker turns of Saratoga. “I think my worry would be the track is very sharp and he’s a big striding horse, but we have to give him a shot,” he said, acknowledging the adjustment required for American turf courses. Nevertheless, the ownership is prepared to take the chance in pursuit of black‑type at the highest level.
Opposition and recent form
Ancient Egypt will face a select international field. Among the notable entries are George Boughey’s Survie, who arrives off a victory in the Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga, and Ed Walker’s Fort George, runner‑up by a nose in the Bowling Green Stakes at the same venue. The race has recently been claimed by leading international trainers: Charlie Appleby’s El Cordobes won the contest 12 months ago, while Aidan O’Brien took the honours in 2023 with Bolshoi Ballet, highlighting the quality typical of this renewal.
- Ancient Egypt – Charlie Johnston (owned by Amo Racing)
- Survie – George Boughey
- Fort George – Ed Walker
- Previous winners include El Cordobes (Charlie Appleby) and Bolshoi Ballet (Aidan O’Brien)
What the trip represents
For British connections, campaigns to North America are increasingly selective and target specific Grade One opportunities. A success at Saratoga would provide Ancient Egypt with his first top‑level tally and mark a successful extension of his campaign beyond the pattern races of Europe. It is also indicative of a wider trend among owners and trainers to test their horses on different surfaces and track configurations when an attractive contest presents itself.
Looking ahead
Should Ancient Egypt handle the tighter contours of Saratoga, the Christophe Clement Turf Stakes offers both prize money and international prestige. Whether that proving run arrives on Saturday will be revealed on race day, but the decision to travel underlines the confidence of his connections in the colt’s ability to compete at the highest level.
Live coverage of Saratoga’s feature races will be available on Sky Sports Racing.
