By Paulick Report
Rae Guest may not be well-known to horse racing fans in North America, but that may change in the next few months. The Newmarket-based trainer has been put in charge of day-to-day conditioning of U.S. Horse of the Year California Chrome, and will oversee the colt’s preparations for a possible start at Royal Ascot in June.
“It’s a great honor to have him and we’re very lucky to be that close to a Kentucky Derby winner,” Guest told Racing UK.
While a tilt at Royal Ascot had been hinted at by the ownership connections of California Chrome, the decision to move the dual classic winner to England so early – and out of the care of regular trainer, Art Sherman, came as a surprise to many.
Guest, a former jockey who has been training since 1988, indicated that the transfer of ‘Chrome’ to his stable came about through Chris Mills, who has horses with Guest. Mills’ son, Robbie, worked for Art Sherman in California a few years ago, and was in Dubai helping prepare the gelding, Mirza, for a start in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint.
“We had a chat and they asked if the horse came to England could he stay with me and liaise with Robbie, who they knew,” Guest said.
Guest admitted that it might take California Chrome a little time to adjust to the different way of training and racing in the UK. The trainer plans on giving the colt two weeks off after he arrives in Newmarket.
“We’re going to give him two weeks off, then get him back up and see how he is.” Guest added that Alan Sherman would be coming over in about a month to see California Chrome, and at that time it would be determined “which way to go with him”.
“Robbie Mills will ride him as he worked for Art,” Guest said. “He’s the reason the horse is with me more than anything, so he’ll be riding him regularly.”
Read more at Racing UK