Vale of York may be sent to Europe

Vale of York, the upset winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, has been nominated to the Kentucky Derby and is scheduled to have his first start of the year next month in the United Arab Emirates Derby, but it is "equally possible" he will be sent to Europe after wintering in Dubai, according to Simon Crisford, the racing manager for Godolphin Racing, which owns Vale of York.

"Vale of York is training towards the UAE Derby on 27 March," Crisford advised in an email. "A lot will depend on the outcome of that race and we will not make any decisions about a possible Kentucky bid until afterwards. Obviously the race will be on a synthetic surface and therefore Vale of York is yet to have any dirt experience. It is equally possible that he will be pointed towards a European campaign."

Godolphin, owned by Sheikh Mohammed, has yet to win the Derby. Over the past decade or so, Godolphin has purchased a number of American-based horses, such as Vineyard Haven, a 3-year-old of 2009, with the hope of turning them into Derby winners.

Just last month, Godolphin privately purchased Tahitian Warrior following a runaway debut win at Gulfstream Park. He has since been sent to Dubai.

"We are hoping to run him in the UAE Guineas on the 18th February and will not make any long-term plans until we have seen how he performs on the synthetic surface," Crisford said.