TRAINED by Joseph O’Brien, the four-year-old Baron Samedi has already offered up some thrilling races for LECH Racing, winning seven of his 13 races.

LECH was established as a racing club a mere two years ago by Lawrence Eke and Chris Hurley (hence LECH) and has been on a winning path ever since.

Baron Samedi was bought by LECH as a foal at Tattersalls and wasn’t necessarily a popular purchase, as Eke recalls. “He was bought as a foal on looks alone. I remember sitting at a Tattersalls’ parade ring, watching the foals go by, when one went past that looked like a yearling! He was too tall, all legs and by a really unpopular sire, so I followed him in and got him for 3,500gns.”

Winning spree

Following five initial runs that were less than impressive, Baron Samedi was gelded in August 2020 and the magic started: he went on a five-race winning spree culminating in glory in a Group 2 at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend.

Having secured his position as one to watch in 2020, this year started with a bang. Baron Samedi proved his potential as one of Europe’s most promising staying horses by winning on his seasonal reappearance at Navan in April.

He went on to New York in June where he became the fourth consecutive European winner of the $400,000 Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup over two miles, winning by almost three lengths under jockey John Velasquez. In July he was set a very stiff task in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Stepping back to a mile and a half was a tough ask, but he was not disgraced in finishing fifth behind Aidan O’Brien’s Broome.

The odds suggest that this weekend could show more of his mighty talent and Eke is feeling pretty excited about the Irish St Leger: “He looks wonderful, he’s well-muscled and moving really well. There are two or three horses who will give us some tough competition, Search For A Song is on the hunt for a hat-trick and Twilight Payment looks good.”

Baron Samedi is being considered for Ascot on Champions Day in October. According to Eke, the horse is a particularly good traveller which has enabled them to consider races much further afield. A Group 2 in Japan is on the cards as well as Del Mar on Breeders’ Cup Day. Eke and Hurley also have their sights on Dubai in March.

Selling Baron Samedi has always been an option but, having turned down £500,000, the LECH lads are having too much fun with their stakes horse to rush a sale at the wrong price.

Part of that fun involves the hope of Baron Samedi running in the Melbourne Cup next year. Eke believes both the distance and track would suit him and so it’s something to dream about for 2022.

LECH currently own two other horses, a third didn’t make the grade and has a happy life playing polo. The plan is to campaign Grandmaster Flash over a mile this winter. Their three-year-old filly, Time To Burn, has been given a handicap mark of 66, but is still a little big and LECH are happy to wait for her to develop a bit.

They already have their eye on a replacement. Eke explains: “I saw it as a foal but didn’t buy it. Then I saw it again as a yearling but it was a bit too big. The horse doesn’t have a great page either but there is just something about him. You spend so much time looking at the page but when you’re standing at the sales, it’s the one that catches your eye that makes the difference. He’s come out and won his last two races, so the price will have gone up!”

Bid for glory

Eke admits that for them as owners it’s not solely about winning.

“Baron Samedi is special because he comes from an unlikely background. He doesn’t know when he’s beaten. When he comes under pressure, he pulls it out of the bag – you can’t train that.

“We like to see our horses swagger, their coats shining, eyes bright and loving life. That’s the difference we see with Joseph. He doesn’t rush them, the yard is peaceful with no bawling and shouting. It starts at the top and works its way down and we see that peace and happiness in our horses.”

Restrictions eased, the Baron will be cheered on by a 12-strong entourage making the trip from England to be trackside for the first time in too long.

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