The colt has shown real promise in three starts to date.
Trainer James Owen is poised to make a statement at Newmarket this weekend as his promising colt, Wimbledon Hawkeye, lines up in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes. The young talent has shown steady improvement in each race, and Owen is eager to see how much more the colt has to offer.
Wimbledon Hawkeye, owned by the Gredley Family, has been a standout among Owen’s expanding flat team. The colt made a significant first impression by becoming the first winner for his sire, Kameko, with a successful debut victory at Kempton. His journey continued with a podium finish in the Superlative Stakes, followed by a close second place in the Acomb Stakes at York, finishing behind highly regarded competitors The Lion In Winter and Ruling Court.
As the stakes rise at Newmarket, Owen is optimistic about Wimbledon Hawkeye's chances in the Royal Lodge Stakes, where the colt will be stepping up in distance. "It looks like the right race for him, and he has been training really well since the Acomb," said Owen. The trainer is curious to see just how much improvement the talented colt has in store.
Nice debut from the James Owen-trained Wimbledon Hawkeye (Kameko) who serves up an ace in the @UnibetRacing Interactive Novice Stakes ✅ pic.twitter.com/BDL26SJOHp
— Kempton Park Racecourse (@kemptonparkrace) May 29, 2024
With a rich background in Arabian horse racing, Owen is no stranger to success. A five-time UK champion trainer of Arabian horses, he has transitioned into the world of Flat and National Hunt racing with significant backing from the Gredley Family. The partnership has already paid off, with Wimbledon Hawkeye emerging as the star of his Flat team.
The Royal Lodge Stakes marks an important moment for Wimbledon Hawkeye, but Owen's weekend doesn’t end there. Another major prospect under his care, Grade One-winning chaser Allmankind, is also expected to make his first appearance for Owen at Market Rasen on Saturday. Additionally, Burdett Road, another horse in the Gredley silks, is set to compete in Newmarket’s Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Godolphin Stakes on Friday.
Burdett Road, a Royal Ascot winner, is expected to make this his final Flat appearance before transitioning back to hurdles, where he previously claimed Grade Two honours as a juvenile hurdler last November. Owen is looking forward to Burdett Road’s upcoming jumps campaign but is confident about his chances on the Flat this weekend. "It's a lovely race for him we thought, and being back at Newmarket will really suit him," said Owen.
The Gredley Family’s support has allowed Owen to grow his operation, and the trainer is relishing the opportunity to develop talented young horses. "My first two-year-old runners were generally needing their experience, but Wimbledon Hawkeye won on debut and then came on really well in the Superlative and again at York. His figures have improved with each run, and hopefully, they continue to do so," Owen explained.
Reflecting on his journey with the Gredley Family and their homebred horses, Owen added, "I'm really enjoying training the two-year-olds, and Wimbledon Hawkeye is a homebred out of one of their horses, Eva Maria, which is really nice. We're in a privileged position, and I'm really enjoying it."
As Owen prepares his horses for what promises to be an exciting weekend, there is a sense of optimism and anticipation. With Wimbledon Hawkeye primed for a strong showing at Newmarket, Allmankind set for a potential reappearance, and Burdett Road ready for one last Flat race before hurdling, Owen is ready to showcase the depth and quality of his growing stable.
