DANTE:
THE HOPE OF THE NORTH
Dante wins the Derby, June 1945
Foaled on March 7, 1942, he was by Nearco out of Rosy Legend and an inauspicious visit to the ring saw him fail to make his 3,500 gns reserve, and no buyer responded to a sale by public advertisement. So he was put into training with Matt Peacock by his owner, Sir Eric Ohlson. We welcome members of the Ohlson family with us today. Dante enjoyed a blemish-free juvenile season, a winning debut at Stockton in April and five further successes including the Coventry Stakes and Middle Park Stakes. Come 1945, a successful pipe opener and he was aimed at the 2000 Guineas but preparations were interrupted when the horse’s left eye clouded over just before the first classic. Consequently sent to Newmarket short of gallop, Dante experienced his first defeat when Lord Astor’s Court Martial got the better of him by a neck. Some onlookers felt that had the challenge come on Dante’s right, he would have responded quicker. Legendary punter and founder of Timeform, Phil Bull, was not deterred and as the Middleham star drifted to 10/1, he went into the ring, backing Dante to win £14,000!
Matt Peacock 52
