Manduro’s Derby hope still burning bright

Manduro's talented first-crop son Bonfire secured his ticket to Epsom in just over two weeks’ time in tremendous fashion on 17 May, cruising to victory in the G2 Dante Stakes at York.

Bonfire was settled in second position under Jimmy Fortune – who was still motionless approaching the two-furlong marker. Once asked to quicken, however, the Andrew Balding-trained colt quickened impressively and easily held off the sustained challenge of Ektihaam to win by three-quarters of a length. Street Cry’s Fencing also ran well to finish third.

This was the second victory in just three starts for Bonfire, who won on his racecourse debut last September before finishing third in the G1 Criterium International the following month. He is now around 6-1 and clear second favourite for the Derby, due to take place at Epsom on 2 June.

Bred by Highclere Stud and Floors Farming, Bonfire is out of the winning Night Shift mare Night Frolic – also dam of G3 Musidora Stakes winner Joviality (Cape Cross), who holds entries in the Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot and also the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh in July. Night Frolic visits Dubawi this year.

Manduro has been enjoying a very successful year to date, siring no fewer than 17 winners in 2012 including recent G3 winner Trois Lunes and the Stakes-placed filly Fularmada.

Manduro stands at Kildangan Stud at a fee of €10,000.