Hey Gaman to miss Irish 2,000 Guineas challenge and opt for French Derby - (2026)

Updated: 21/01/2026

[fcrp_feat_sc sc_id=”20492″] James Tate is eyeing French Derby and Royal Ascot options for former 2000 Irish Guineas hopeful Hey Gaman.

Hey Gaman is likely to skip Saturday’s Irish 2,000 Guineas with the St James’s Palace Stakes or the Prix du Jockey Club his possible alternative targets.

James Tate’s colt outran his odds in the French Guineas last time, being beaten just a neck in second behind Olmedo.

That was his first run over a mile, but Tate is now considering a rematch with Jean-Claude Rouget’s Classic winner in the French Derby over an extended 10 furlongs.

“I wouldn’t have thought he’ll go to Ireland, but we’ll make a final decision on Tuesday when we have to confirm,” said Tate.

“We just thought he got outspeeded a bit, The O’Brien horse (US Navy Flag) went hard early and then stacked them up and the French horses came at him with a customary turn of foot.

“We had a good battle with the third horse (Dice Roll), but the winner came flying down the outside.

“That was his first run over a mile but looking at that, we’d have to consider the French Derby along with the St James’s Palace Stakes at Ascot.

“What he doesn’t want is really fast ground. If it was good to soft at Ascot that would be perfect, but we are tempted by the French Derby so we’ll just have to see.”

Read more: attheraces.com

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