Two-time Eclipse Award-winning rider Garrett Gomez has been named to pilot Susan Magnier’s Master of Hounds in the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Master of Hounds, an Irish-based horse trained by Aidan O’Brien, is expected to ship to Louisville, Ky., May 3.
“I’m just excited that the horse is coming over and I think he’s got a good shot," Gomez said. "We’ve been waiting on Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore because we think this horse is really live. We’re very happy that he’s coming.”
Master of Hounds, a Kentucky-bred son of Kingmambo—Silk and Scarlet, by Sadler's Wells, was second, beaten a nose in his lone start this year in the March 26 UAE Derby (UAE-II). It was his first start since finishing sixth as the favorite Nov. 6 in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IIT) last fall at Churchill Downs. Prior to that Master of Hounds was third in the Racing Post Trophy (Eng-I).
Gomez won back-to-back Eclipse Awards in 2007 and 2008. He currently ranks eighth by earnings and has 46 wins from 260 mounts this year. He has had seven mounts in the Derby with his best finishes coming in the last two years. In 2009, he finished second aboard third-choice Pioneerof the Nile and last year he was sixth aboard favorite Lookin At Lucky .
Master of Hounds was bred by Silk and Scarlet Syndicate.
Garrett Gomez
Benoit Photo