Basher Watts excited for his 'tighter and fitter' Epsom Group 3 hope Shes Perfect

The Basher Watts Syndicate look set to make their mark on Epsom Derby weekend as their superstar filly Shes Perfect will look to record a famous Group victory for the syndicate in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday.

Shes Perfect, a four-year-old daughter of Sioux Nation, stole the imagination of many as she was the star of the viral Basher Watts social media clips. She was the winner of the French 1000 Guineas before controversially losing the race in the stewards' room after a decision was made that she had caused interference, therefore being demoted to second.

In a rags-to-riches story, it gave a sense of hope that anyone could own a Classic runner if striking lucky.

Basher Watts spoke to Niall Tierney of Irishracing.com about Shes Perfect this season and spoke about the wild journey himself and his syndicate have been on since its creation.

“Everything that happened last year was a complete whirlwind, a dream really. I suppose you just couldn’t believe it could happen and then she got injured. I remember thinking, ah, it could be at least 10 months before we could see her again and it will drag.

“Thankfully she had a lovely reintroduction to the racecourse. She’s a lot tighter and fitter now and hopefully she can go and do the business, so we are just so excited.

“It’s great to have Kieran Shoemark back on board. Paddy Bradley gave her a great ride the other day, just really helped her and he didn’t bottom her out, but Kieran knows her like nobody else and we’re delighted to have him back on board.

“We could have gone to Ascot in two weeks and I think we’d have been competitive there in a Group 2, but this looks to be a weaker race than that and we look to be a worthy favourite.

“We’ll try and replicate what the winner did in this race last year. We are joint-highest on ratings and for me she takes the beating, so we can’t wait for it.

“There’s going to be about 45 of us in a hospitality box tomorrow. Epsom have been great, they have been really accommodating. Put it this way, if she wins we are going to take the roof off the grandstand.”

'A dream come true'

Speaking about the last few months and the syndicate, Watts continued:

“It’s just surreal, it’s been a dream come true. It’s just been an absolute rollercoaster.

“Two years ago I hadn’t ever had a runner and now two years later we have 16 horses. We’ve been first past the post in a Classic, turned down a £2 million-plus deal for a horse.

“It’s very rare for someone to be able to do what they love for work and I’m very fortunate to be in that situation. It doesn’t feel like work when it’s a passion. I feel like the luckiest man in the world. I love what I do and I’m so pleased it’s only getting started.

“I think around the 20-horse mark would be a good maximum to have. One of the big appeals for the syndicate is I am very hands-on. I want to be there all the time, I want to be at the owners' mornings and the racedays, and having 20 is just about manageable. Any more and it would be a little bit tricky.

“There’s a nice National Hunt horse that Ben Pauling wants me to buy and that’s a possibility seeing as our jumps runners did fantastic this season.

Exciting juveniles to come

“I’m really excited about our two-year-olds. We broke the six-figure barrier in the Arqana sales for a lovely Sioux Nation colt who has been named Perfect Nation.

“I went and saw him work the other day in Newmarket and he looked great. He is probably only three weeks away or so from a run, so he’s really exciting.

“We have a nice Too Darn Hot filly and a Starspangledbanner filly who will be nice in the second part of the season.

“Look, it’s just been unbelievable and we’re all dreaming. These days are dream days.

“We had Perfect Poet take us to Aintree last year and what a day that was. It was really special. If we could have a Cheltenham Festival winner, oh my word, I wouldn’t know how I’d compose myself.

“Once again, I’m very fortunate to be in this position. The jockeys we have used have been fantastic and the trainers have been so accommodating as well.

“The majority of those in the syndicate would be like myself, they wouldn’t have a horsey background and there’s never any sort of judging or anything. If there’s a basic question at an owners' morning they answer it.

“These guys want new people into racing, which I feel like I’m trying to do and achieving.

“I think the jockeys do like it and I think one of the saddest things you see on television is an empty parade ring or a winner with no connections and with us you have the flip side.

“For example, when Wondering Why won at Warwick, you have a standard handicap hurdle and there was 38 of us going absolutely ballistic on a balcony and all of us in the parade ring.

“It’s like they are getting a Cheltenham Festival-type reception. We absolutely love having them on board and we hope they enjoy riding for us as well.”