Dante's Lad

Deva Racing is delighted to offer shares for sale in the exciting Wootton Bassett three-year-old, Dante’s Lad. Already a three-time winner rated 94, he has joined trainer Ian Williams and could be your ticket to the riches on offer in the Middle East this winter!

Previously trained by Joseph O’Brien and George Boughey, Dante’s Lad showed promise from the outset, finishing third behind the top-class Delacroix on his debut at the Curragh. After two further runs in Ireland, he switched to Britain late in the 2024 season and made an immediate impact for new connections, winning a 1m nursery at Kempton on his final start at two.

Ahead of his three-year-old campaign, Dante’s Lad shaped well on his first two starts of 2025 before coming from off the pace to win a 1m2½f Class 3 handicap at York in May. That race turned out to be red-hot form, with the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh horses all winning soon afterwards. Race replay below of the York race.

He followed up with another stylish victory in a 1m2f at Windsor, taking his rating to 94. He then produced another fine effort when second at York in September before heading to the Tattersalls Autumn Sale, where bloodstock agent Jamie Piggott and Ian Williams secured him for Deva Racing.

That purchase represents outstanding value when compared with similar horses sold at the same sale.

• Mayday Malone (rated 95) sold for 240,000gns

• Sarab Star (rated 88) made 200,000gns

• Tribal Nation (rated 93) fetched 200,000gns

By contrast, Dante’s Lad with proven form and scope to progress looks an exceptional buy.

Exciting Plans Ahead

Dante’s Lad is set for an overseas campaign this winter, targeting either the Bahrain Turf Series or the Dubai Racing Carnival.

The Bahrain Turf Series, running from 19th December to early March, features handicaps for horses rated 85–102, each worth at least $80,000. Similarly, the Dubai Carnival offers a wealth of lucrative races across five months, culminating in the Dubai World Cup meeting, which carries total prize money of $30.5 million.

Given his current rating, Dante’s Lad’s expenses will be covered by local racing authorities, and he is in the hands of a trainer with extensive international experience. His pedigree also offers encouragement, his half-brothers Pablo Escobarr and Roberto Escobarr both progressed to win at Group 3 level as older horses. Dante’s Lad looks well placed to follow a similar path of improvement.

He will be heading to Dubai or Bahrain within the next few weeks. It’s an exciting time ahead!