Son Of Milan Shines In Grade 2 Supreme Trial Hurdle

The progressive My Drogo (5g Milan - My Petra, by Midnight Legend) produced his best performance yet to take the Grade 2 Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot on Friday.

Second in a bumper on debut, the son of Milan was described by trainer Dan Skelton as “a very good horse” after winning a maiden hurdle next time out and displayed an improved round of jumping on his third start. Harry Skelton rode him close to the pace, asking him to challenge from the second last and led after the final flight, keeping on well to score by two and three quarter lengths, as previous Listed winner Llandinabo Lad was forced to settle for second.

Speaking after the race, the delighted winning trainer said, “He's as high as anything I've had in terms of potential. He's up there with the best I've had, but I think this horse has the class to be up there with the best anybody has had because he's very talented.”

Owned by Mr and Mrs Kelvin-Hughes, My Drogo becomes the first black-type winner out of the mare My Petra, herself a Grade 2 winner over fences, and it is over fences which Dan Skelton believes My Drogo will excel. “If he can win a Grade 1 over hurdles that'd be magic,” he said, “But I don't think we're expecting that – we hope for that as a chaser.”

The owners have previously enjoyed great success with Grange Stud sire Milan courtesy of Grade 1 winning hurdler and Grade 2 winning chaser Santini (Milan).