Arc’s bid for Hukum gains momentum after triumphant King George victory

Owen Burrows Praises Hukum Ahead of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

In a surprising turn of events, trainer Owen Burrows expresses his gratitude to his champion racehorse, Hukum. With 11 wins out of 17 career starts, the six-year-old has become an integral part of Burrow’s success in the training ranks.

Hukum not only provided Burrows with his first Royal Ascot victory but also secured him his maiden Group One win. The talented horse showcased its exceptional abilities by defeating last year’s Derby winner Desert Crown and overcoming a career-threatening injury sustained during the 2022 Coronation Cup.

Burrows is now setting his sights on the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and plans to skip any preparatory races to ensure Hukum remains in top form for Europe’s richest middle-distance contest. Currently priced at 6-1 for the Arc, there is growing anticipation surrounding their chances of victory.

“I owe him a lot,” admits Burrows when discussing Hukum’s impact on his career. “He has been with me from my early successes at Royal Ascot to triumphing overseas in Dubai after Sheikh Hamdan passed away.”

Looking ahead to the Arc, which will take place eight weeks from now, Burrows acknowledges that soft ground conditions would work in their favor. While Hukum has proven himself on various types of terrain, he excels particularly well on softer surfaces.

The Day That Made History

Aside from Hukum’s remarkable win, Burrows celebrated an extraordinary double victory as Aflaila emerged triumphant in the Group Two York Stakes. This unprecedented achievement left the trainer overwhelmed with messages of congratulations.

“Yesterday was a bit shellshocking,” admits Burrows. “But now, as I’m sitting down and reading through all the heartfelt messages, it finally sinks in what an incredible day it has been.”

Burrows credits his dedicated team at Farncombe Down for their hard work and persistence in rehabilitating Hukum after his injury. The collective efforts of everyone involved have contributed to this momentous success story.

Dreams of Glory

With sights firmly set on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Owen Burrows and Hukum embark on a journey filled with anticipation and dreams of victory. As they prepare for the ultimate test against Europe’s best middle-distance horses, one can’t help but wonder if this unlikely duo will surpass all expectations once again.