But Arc bid not off the table yet for Leger fourth.
A winter break might be on the horizon for St Leger fourth-place finisher Deira Mile, but the allure of a tilt at the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe isn’t entirely off the table just yet. The talented colt, trained by Owen Burrows, has consistently shown his potential throughout the season, with notable performances in some of the biggest races, including the Derby and the St Leger.
Deira Mile, a son of Camelot, came to prominence earlier in the year with a solid fourth-place finish in the Epsom Derby, running behind the likes of City Of Troy, Ambiente Friendly, and Los Angeles. His summer campaign took a quiet turn, but he re-emerged from a mid-season break to finish a close second in the Listed August Stakes at Windsor, just missing out by a neck after an 84-day absence.
When he returned to action for the final Classic of the season, the St Leger at Doncaster, Deira Mile was considered an outside shot, going off at odds of 28-1. Despite the long odds, the colt ran a game race under jockey Jason Watson, crossing the line in third place. However, the race didn’t end without controversy. A stewards' inquiry into an incident during the final furlong saw Deira Mile demoted to fourth after he was found to have bumped into Sunway.
While the demotion may have been a disappointment for connections, the performance was yet another sign that Deira Mile is maturing into a serious contender for top honours. Now, trainer Owen Burrows faces a critical decision about the colt’s immediate future. A well-earned winter break seems the most likely option, allowing Deira Mile to rest and prepare for a potentially massive 2024 season.
However, Burrows hasn’t entirely ruled out a bold run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The Arc, which is considered one of the most prestigious races in the world, would represent a significant step up for Deira Mile, and with the colt’s development still on an upward curve, there remains a slim possibility of an entry. While the likelihood of taking on Europe’s best in the Arc may be low, the mere consideration speaks to the belief Burrows and the team have in the colt’s ability to deliver at the highest level.
As Burrows weighs his options for Deira Mile, the trainer is also keeping an eye on the future of his stablemate Nakheel, who has enjoyed her own successful campaign this season. The filly was a decisive winner of the Group Two Park Hill Stakes, held over the same St Leger distance. Her dominant performance in that race suggests that she too could be in line for a significant step up in class.
The Prix de Royallieu, a Group One race at Longchamp on Arc weekend, is now a possible target for Nakheel. While the filly isn’t currently entered, Burrows has the option to supplement her at a late stage, giving the team the flexibility to assess her form and condition in the days leading up to the race.
Burrows is taking a cautious approach with Nakheel, noting that she has come out of the Park Hill Stakes well but hasn’t done much beyond light cantering. "It's still up in the air," Burrows admitted. "She seems fine afterwards, but she's only had a couple of canters just to see how she is." With owner Sheikh Ahmed keen to keep Nakheel in training for next year, Burrows is considering whether the filly has done enough for this season or if one more big test awaits in Paris.
"She’s a well-bred filly who can only improve for another winter on her back," Burrows added. "She only had one run as a two-year-old, and she's another one we can really look forward to." Nakheel’s development mirrors that of Deira Mile in many ways—both horses have shown steady progress, and Burrows is excited about what the future holds for both.
For now, the immediate focus is on making the right decisions for the rest of the season. With the Arc and Prix de Royallieu looming as tempting options, Burrows’ stable could yet play a key role in one of the biggest weekends of the racing calendar. Whatever the outcome, both Deira Mile and Nakheel have established themselves as horses to watch closely in 2024, with bright futures lying ahead.
