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Midak deemed worthy of ‘shot in the dark’ Derby bid

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Wed 4 Jun 2025

There is optimism poignant Betfred Derby runner Midak could prove an “unknown quantity” in his bid for Epsom glory on Saturday.

Francis-Henri Graffard’s unbeaten son of Footstepsinthesand will sport the famous silks of the Aga Khan Studs in the premier Classic, which is this year run in honour of the late Aga Khan IV, and connections are daring to dream he has the right attributes to justify his £75,000 supplementary fee.

“He’s definitely a horse improving with his races and will definitely get the trip,” explained Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs.

“We’re not sure on his form lines and how it stacks up, but all he can do is win and he’s won every start.

Midak remains unbeaten with a straight-forward success in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud!🇫🇷
Another progressive type for @GraffardRacing and @AgaKhanStuds! pic.twitter.com/Vug9tCfE4f
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 9, 2025

“He’s going to have to handle the track and he’s a big horse with a big, long stride. Mickael Barzalona (jockey) thinks he will handle the track because he’s well balanced but you never know until they get there.

“We would be very happy to see him finish in the first three or even first five, but he is a bit of an unknown quantity and he does everything easily at home. It’s a little bit of a shot in the dark, but we thought it was worth it.”

The Aga Khan enjoyed many great days at Epsom, winning the Derby on five occasions and only 12 months ago his green and red colours were carried to Oaks victory by Dermot Weld’s Ezeliya.

His first winner was legendary Shergar in 1981, while it was some 35 years later in 2016 that the home bred Harzand was the last of his quintet to return to Epsom’s famous winner’s circle.

🟢🔴 The Aga Khan Studs are excited to supplement unbeaten colt #Midak for Saturday's Gr.1 Derby @EpsomRacecourse.
The 246th running of this prestigious Classic will be run in honour of the Aga Khan IV, who won 5 times with #Shergar, #Shahrastani, #Kahyasi, #Sinndar & #Harzand. pic.twitter.com/3crCevzm2f
— Aga Khan Studs (@AgaKhanStuds) June 2, 2025

Now 25 years on from Sinndar’s triumph on the Downs, Midak will attempt to add his name to the roll of honour following a rapid rise through the ranks.

Routh continued: “He’s sort of come a little bit out of nowhere, but he’s a very good looking horse – a big, strong horse.

“He had a few setbacks at two so we weren’t really able to appreciate his level of ability and then first time out he kind of surprised us by the way he won and then he’s won again and then again in a Group Three at Saint-Cloud.”

Explaining the decision to roll the dice at Epsom rather than at Chantilly last weekend, Routh added: “He wasn’t in the Prix du Jockey Club and he earned himself an ‘in’ to the Grand Prix de Paris, but that isn’t until July and we were kind of looking for a race to run him in and we just felt it was a nice thing to do and have the colours represented.”