Owen Burrows admits it would be ‘massive’ if he could be the one to help owner Ahmad Al Shaikh fulfill his lifelong dream of winning the Betfred Derby with bargain-buy Al Wasl Storm.
The Dubai businessman has seen his green and white silks finish second in the Epsom Downs showpiece on two occasions with Khalifa Sat filling the runner-up berth in 2020 and Hoo Ya Mal occupying the same position in 2022.
This year Al Shaikh, who saw Deira Mile from the Burrows yard finish fourth last year, will rely on the chances of 86-rated Chester maiden winner Al Wasl Storm, who was picked up for just 7,000 euros as a foal, to try and deliver him the success he craves above all else.
And with the son of Affinisea appearing to move well during a spin at the annual Betfred Derby Gallops Morning at the track today Lambourn handler Burrows is optimistic he can out run his 150-1 price tag back at the course on June 7th.
Burrows said: “He took a good enthusiastic hold. He just took a stride or two David (Probert) said coming down the hill to change his legs and get organised, but he galloped out really well in the last couple of furlongs and pointed his toe.
“He is a different type of horse to Deira Mile who had been fourth in a Futurity Trophy whereas this lad the further he goes the better.
“If one or two aren’t staying he should still be hitting the line strong. On ratings he has got a huge job to find, but as we have touched on the owner has been very lucky and he has rolled the dice a few times and not been far away so hopefully we can do the same again.
“Ahmad has been second twice with 50/1 and 150/1 shots. He is so passionate about the race and it is his life goal to win it.
“If we could be the one to tick that off it would be massive. Whether or not we will with a 150/1 chance is another matter, but as long as he can run well, and make us proud, then we will be happy.
“We all do it for these big days and to have a runner on Derby day is always special."
While Al Wasl Storm will now take his place in the world’s most famous Classic, Burrows admits it shows just how far he has come in a short space of time following an inauspicious start to his career at Newbury last month.
He added: “He was 7,000 euros as a foal from a National Hunt sale. We all look through the flat sales, but I’ll be honest I don’t look through the jumps sale.
"The dam’s side has a bit of flat form to it. Fair play to Ahmad he has surpassed himself with this one.
“I didn’t get him until summer time last year. He showed a bit in his work, but he is not a typical jumps bred horse as he is not a big unit.
“He was well balanced and moved well. He went a bit weak at the back end so we put him away. He has always shown he has a bit of ability so it is not a total surprise.
“To be honest at Newbury as he wasn’t thinking about racing. There was only one thing he was thinking about and it wasn’t racing.
“The Newbury race will probably work out a strong one, but I said to Ahmad that he needs a run and he won’t be winning first time as mentally he wasn’t ready to be doing that.
“We thought he might run a bit better than that, but he probably ran a race and a half before he got down to the start so I wasn’t too concerned.
“Going to Lingfield was much better. At Chester it was only a maiden so let’s not get too excited, but he was very professional out in front and he kept picking up. He lengthened all the way to the line and they couldn’t get by him.
“Mentally, he has improved with each start and he was good at Chester and this would have done him good here today.
“Hopefully he can come here and acquit himself well. I’m very realistic, and he is only rated 86, but I’d like to think he will handle the place and he will be galloping on at the end whereas possibly there might be a few in there that are short runners.”
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Taking up riding duties aboard Al Wasl Storm will be David Probert, who was the man responsible for steering Hoo Ya Mal to second in the race three years ago.
While acknowledging the task ahead the 36 year old rider believes Al Wasl Storm will not look out of place come the big day after putting in a pleasing pre-race spin on the track.
Probert said: “That was good and he has come out of his Chester run very well. I think mentally he has grown up a bit.
“I know we are in the deep end a bit, but it is great to have a ride in the race for Green Team Racing and Ahmad Al Shaikh as he is very passionate about the race so hopefully he can run his race.
“Chester is renowned for being a place for a good Derby trial and he showed a bit of speed and good stamina and they are two of the elements you need for a Derby so why not give it a go.
“Hoo Ya Mal had a completely different profile. He was quite a keen horse and we had to ride him for a little bit of luck, and we got some real nice bits down the inside when finishing second to Desert Crown.
“He is quite a professional, laid back horse. He was quick away into stride at Chester so that is one good element you need for Derby day.
“We know we are up against it with the opposition slightly, but it is great to have a ride in such a passionate race and hopefully he can take a step forward.”
And like Burrows the Group race winning ride believes Al Wasl Storm will be ready for such a test having taken giant strides mentally since his racecourse bow.
Probert said: “He had other things on his mind that day at Newbury, but mentally wise he has grown up quite a bit and he was very professional about the whole day today.
“He is quite tough, and he is a very unfinished article, but we will be riding him to run well.
“I think he can handle the day as he has grown up mentally, and physically he looks like he has developed into himself well.
“He feels a lot stronger in himself and he is carrying himself a lot better. He has gone around here a little bit green around the top of the hill, but then he switched himself on well through the last two and a half furlongs.
“I was quite impressed how he galloped out today so he has come on a lot.”
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