But Arc bid not off the table yet for Leger fourth.
A challenging season could soon come to a close for Deira Mile, the promising colt who finished fourth in the St Leger, but the possibility of an appearance at the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe still lingers. Trained by Owen Burrows and owned by Sheikh Ahmed, the Camelot colt has shown glimpses of his potential, but his next move remains up in the air.
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, one of the world's most celebrated races, might still be a target, but the alternative of a well-deserved winter break is increasingly likely. After a season filled with high expectations, Deira Mile may have already given his best for the year, leaving his connections to decide whether to push him further or preserve his freshness for the next campaign.
The Roller-Coaster Ride of Deira Mile's Season
Deira Mile’s journey through 2024 has been one of both promise and frustration. His fourth-place finish in the Derby, behind top talents like City of Troy, Ambiente Friendly, and Los Angeles, raised expectations for a stellar second half of the year. After an 84-day layoff during the summer, he returned to contest the Listed August Stakes at Windsor, where he narrowly missed victory, finishing second by a neck.
The St Leger at Doncaster, the final Classic of the season, saw him enter as a 28-1 outsider under jockey Jason Watson. Deira Mile ran a commendable race over the demanding trip of more than a mile and six furlongs. Despite crossing the line in third, he was later demoted to fourth by the stewards for an incident involving Sunway, tarnishing what had been another impressive showing.
Despite the demotion, his performance demonstrated that he’s not far off the top tier of competition. With such a solid campaign, the question now is whether to risk another run in the Arc or wrap up the season, giving the colt a well-earned break before the next chapter.
Trainer's Dilemma: Arc or Rest?
Speaking about Deira Mile's future, trainer Owen Burrows highlighted the delicate balance between ambition and caution.
"We're just seeing whether or not he's done for the year," Burrows stated. "We'll review it throughout the week. I'll have a chat with the owner and we'll see."
The temptation of the Arc still hovers in the background, and Burrows acknowledged that it has been a subject of discussion.
"He did mention straight afterwards that he wouldn't mind running him in the Arc, but we'll see how he is and decide if we wouldn’t mind just saving him for next season," he added.
With the Arc weekend fast approaching, connections must weigh the potential glory of racing against Europe’s elite against the risks of pushing a horse who may have already peaked for the season. A decision to rest Deira Mile might prove wise, especially given the colt’s upward trajectory and potential for further development next year.
Stablemate Nakheel Faces Similar Uncertainty
It's not just Deira Mile who faces uncertainty. His stablemate Nakheel, winner of the Group Two Park Hill Stakes, could also be nearing the end of her season. The filly triumphed over the same trip as the St Leger and is now being considered for the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp during Arc weekend. However, as Burrows notes, there's a possibility that Nakheel, like Deira Mile, might already have done enough this year.
"It’s still up in the air," said Burrows, commenting on Nakheel’s situation. "Sheikh Ahmed is keen to keep her in training next year, so again, she might just have done enough for this year."
Although Nakheel is not yet entered in the Royallieu, the option to supplement her remains open. "We’d only have to supplement her a few days before, so that will give us plenty of time to assess her and see how she is," Burrows said.
The Road Ahead for Deira Mile
As for Deira Mile, his connections face a decision that could shape his future. With a solid foundation in place following his performances in the Derby and St Leger, the colt has proven he can compete at a high level. But as Burrows noted, “In an ideal world, we could have done with a stronger gallop,” and perhaps conditions didn’t fully align with his strengths at Doncaster.
Burrows remains hopeful that Deira Mile’s best days are ahead. "He’s proven he’s not far off the top level. He was fourth in the Derby, third—well, fourth—in the Leger, and only beaten a length and a half."
A final decision on the Arc is imminent, but for now, the colt's team is carefully considering their options. Whether Deira Mile lines up at Longchamp or enjoys a deserved winter break, the future looks bright for this talented runner. Next season could be the one where he fully blossoms into a true star of the turf.
