Gatsby takes G2 Dante for Mastercraftsman

Mastercraftsman’s son The Grey Gatsby (3c Mastercraftsman-Marie Vison, by Entrepreneur) saw off some highly-regarded opponents to take York’s G2 feature Dante Stakes in brilliant style on Thursday when adding to his sire’s outstanding record.

The consistent three-year-old, who boasted three Group-race placings heading into York, relished the 10-furlong trip as he saw off Arod to score by three-quarters of a length.

Trainer Kevin Ryan now has his sights set on the G1 Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly for the Malcolm Parrish-bred grey, from Mastercraftsman’s first crop.

“I'm delighted for the horse and his owner Frank Gillespie,” said Ryan. "We always thought a lot of The Grey Gatsby and he ran a very good race in the Guineas. He’s always been a work in progress and at the back of my mind I thought we had to go and try him over further and the key to it was how well he switched off today.”

Jockey Ryan Moore added: “He travelled lovely in third and we've started racing a long way from home. When he got to the front he hung right but he's done very well as I was in front too soon. A mile and a quarter is as far as he wants to go.”