Tabor counting down to International D-day for Constitution River

Michael Tabor has had the honour of owning some of the most distinguished horses in history, but there is no let up in his passion for racing, as excitement builds ahead of Constitution River’s acid test at York on Wednesday.

Alongside his fellow Coolmore partners, Tabor has returned victorious a record seven times in the Juddmonte International, but none of that magnificent seven sported the famous blue and orange silks of the 84-year-old Londoner.

That could all change when Aidan O’Brien’s colt lines up for a mouthwatering clash with defending champion Ombudsman, and Tabor is relishing the sternest assessment yet of his all-star credentials.

He told the Press Association: “He’s what you dream of, obviously, and he’s given us great enjoyment and hopefully there is more to come, but we’ll have to wait and see in the Juddmonte – that is going to be his big test.

“It’s another clash with Ombudsman who is a very good horse and one we have great respect for. We’ll see how they go.”

A winner of two of his three starts at two, it was at Chester where Constitution River really set pulses racing for the first time, romping to a seven-length Dee Stakes victory in a manner which suggested the surface of his potential was only beginning to be scratched.

From a draw position equivalent to the Chantilly car park, he would go on to lead home a famous one-two-three for O’Brien in the Prix du Jockey Club, before cementing his status when downing his elders in the Coral-Eclipse with a performance that drew superlatives rarely heard from jockey Ryan Moore in the aftermath.

It is those words that Tabor clings to as he assesses the son of Wootton Bassett’s year to date, stopping also to pay tribute to the man who has overseen the majority of his countless big-race winners.

Tabor continued: “The way he won the French Derby from that draw, exceptional may be too strong a word, but I thought it was pretty good going and then again at Sandown in the Eclipse.

“Ryan is not a man prone to overhype and if anything he is the other way, but he was full of praise.

“It is not an easy thing for these horses to maintain their form throughout the season, but Aidan is pretty special when it comes to that and he seems to have the knack of keeping them thriving.”

The likes of Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch, Derby heroes High Chaparral and Auguste Rodin and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe champions Montjeu, Hurricane Run and Found are just a few of Tabor’s former “friends” to which Constitution River aspires.

For Tabor – always to be feared should he take an interest in the betting ring – it is the burning questions yet to be answered that will ensure nervous anticipation on the morning of August 19.

“You always hope he’s going to be special, but only time will tell,” he added. “He’s definitely a very good horse, but what heights he reaches, we’ll see.

“I hate to compare him with my friends, but he’s obviously a good horse. He’s good, but how good we’ll find out – if we knew that now it wouldn’t be a game and that’s all part of the fun of it, the expectation and ‘what could be’ keeps it special.”