On February 28th, Darley announced they purchased a majority interest in Cairo Prince who is a leading contender for this year’s Kentucky Derby. The colt will remain with trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and will now race in the blue colors of Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Stable. His ownership group will also consist of Namcook Stables (Terry Murray), Paul Braverman, Harvey Clarke, and Craig Robertson III.

Cairo Prince won the Holy Bull Stakes on January 25. Ironically, Cairo Prince is out of Holy Bubbette, a daughter of Horse of the Year Holy Bull. Holy Bull is a successful stallion who counts 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo among his progeny. Holy Bull was pensioned and retired at Sheikh Mohammed’s Jonabell Farm near Lexington in 2012. His sire, Pioneerof the Nile was last year’s second leading first-crop sire. Pioneerof the Nile was the winner of the 2009 Santa Anita Derby and ran second behind longshot Mine That Bird in that year’s Kentucky Derby.

He is now being headed to race in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park March 29. He was featured in all three Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pools and his odds went from 26-1 in the first pool, to 13-1 in the second pool to 9-1 in the final pool.

“We are excited to be involved with such a promising 3-year-old at this time of year, and it is also special that our longtime trainer is handling the horse and we have the opportunity to share this excitement with the colt’s current owners,” said Jimmy Bell, president of Darley America.

“We’ve observed Cairo Prince all along and he’s a colt that really hasn’t done anything wrong and has done everything right,” Bell said. “Given his past performances he makes us excited about what could be. But obviously we’ll take it one step at a time. We are delighted to have the colt with Kiaran, which is significant to us. He’s a horse we hope still has more good things to come.”

“Kiaran was positive about this horse from early on. The really good horses get a hold of your attention pretty early, so I don’t think this is an overnight feeling that he’s having. He’s felt this way for quite some time. Outside a nose defeat in the Remsen, he’s got an intact record, which is not easy to do at any age and any distance. Kiaran feels he that he is legitimate, and as such, it makes everybody cautiously, but optimistically, look forward.”