Lazy Griff

“I was concerned passing the seven furlong marker and saw William [Buick] just crouching a bit lower and at no point during the race bar the line did I think Lazy Griff was going to finished where he did, which makes it all the more amazing a performance. He was probably feeling the ground at every stage, which only underlines what an unbelievably tough horse he is. Good to soft ground at Donny in September, we're looking forward to it! - Charlie Johnston, trainer, speaking on Racing TV the following day.”

“That's a fantastic run. I didn't think Lazy Griff would love the track. I thought he'd be better in Ireland or at Doncaster as he's quite a heavy-topped horse, to the extent we felt if the ground wasn't as soft as it was he wouldn't be here. Maybe we were in the right place, but he's tough, he's honest, and he's going to give his owners a lot of fun - Charlie Johnston, trainer.Lazy Griff did everything perfectly. He was a little bit nervous in the paddock but down to the start he was well behaved and moving really well. This kind of track suits him and when I came downhill with Mickael [Barzalona, on Midak] I told him there was nobody able to follow us, we were cruising. The horse in front was so lazy in the turn I thought he would stop at a point, but he never gave up and went to the end. I'm so proud of my horse. It's a great run and it's the same form as the Chester Vase. He would be able to make the German Derby, but I just spoke to the trainer who was asking me if he could go in the St Leger. I think that can also be an option, he stays really well. We'll just see how he comes back from this race - Christophe Soumillon, rider.”

“That was fantastic, especially as Lazy Griff missed a piece of work about a week ago and for a short while it was touch and go if we'd get here. I'm sure we can get him better as he was only 80 per cent fit. That certainly bodes well for going forward and Joe said he appreciated the juice in the ground. We'd be a bit hesitant about very fast ground in the future, but he's in English, Irish and German Derbys and you'll certainly see him in one of them. With a syndicate like this, there's one Classic they're dreaming of, but I might be thinking of a different one. He's a very smart horse - Charlie Johnston, trainer.”