Richard Fahey on his York Dante team

Richard Fahey York Dante Festival runners

Horse Racing

Thu May 14, 2026 · 2h ago

Our columnist with a horse-by-horse guide to his runners at the York Dante Festival.

Friday

14:55 Castle Stuart

Castle Stuart⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91

He’s run some good races at York which gives you hope and his outing at Doncaster on his return has put him spot-on for this. He’s in great form and, in an ultra-competitive race, should run well.

14:55 Have Secret

Have Secret^v²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 95| D

He comes here in the form of his life and any more rain at York is very much in his favour. He’s in great order right now but went up four pounds to 95 off the back of his win at Pontefract last time. It’s a career-high mark and he’ll need a lifetime best to defy it.

Saturday

Thirsk

15:37 South Parade

South Parade²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Warren Fentiman⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 71| CD

She’s just lost her way completely at the moment and needs to get her confidence and form back. I hope she shows a little more, but we'll see.

17:25 Ziggy's Queen

Ziggy's Queen^h,t⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Warren Fentiman⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75| D

She’s out in stall 13 but it’s amazing at Thirsk how a wide draw, far from being a disadvantage, can actually be an advantage. She’s going well at home and is switching back to turf after a good winter on the all-weather.

Doncaster

18:02 Blue Icon

Blue Icon

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: -

He's a debutant I like. He goes well at home but will learn plenty from this too. I’d be pleasantly surprised if he was tuned up enough to win on debut, but we'll see.

18:02 Elias Escape

Elias Escape¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: -

He didn’t show a great deal on debut at Redcar and might be one for handicaps later down the line, but should have sharpened up from the first run like plenty of mine tend to do.

18:38 Havana Rum

Havana Rum³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Ethan Tindall⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 83| D

I was delighted with his run in a better race than this on his reappearance at Pontefract and he goes into Saturday’s race in good form. I’d expect him to run very well.

19:08 Watchdog

Watchdog²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 69| D

He was good at Redcar last time, and was awarded a race earlier this week meaning he’s now a three-time winner. The handicapper has had his say and has put him up four pounds. That might be enough to stop him, but we’ll see.

19:40 Tarmonbarry Kid

Tarmonbarry Kid²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 65

This is a horse I have a lot of time for. He goes well at home and got tired on his comeback run at Doncaster. He’ll strip fitter for that and is one who will be winning races at some stage this season.

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