Monster debut! Waldgeist's half-brother Waldkonig wins at Wolverhampton

Waldkonig produced an astonishing performance on debut at Wolverhampton to earn quotes for next year’s Derby.

Bred to be very good being a Kingman half-brother to Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Waldgeist, the John Gosden-trained colt powered down the Dunstall Park straight in the manner of a very smart performer in his own right.

The 6-4 favourite was ridden by Robert Havlin, who told Sky Sports Racing: “He impressed me, he’d been showing some nice work at home, but you never know – first day at school.

“He did a lot wrong, he was hanging, just through greenness down the back.

“I don’t think I’ve ridden in a race where we started going even slower and slower from the four to pass the three, so I thought, ‘I’ve got to get out and do something now’, as he is a big, rangy horse, with a good old stride on him.

“He quickened up good and he kept at it. He’s got a good attitude and you probably won’t see him now until next spring.”

He added: “Let’s hope he can get to the standard of Waldgeist, that would be nice.

“He’s done everything right first time, there’s not a bother on him and he’s not worried about anything, so it’s great.”

Bookmakers were clearly impressed, with RaceBets slashing Waldkonig’s odds for Epsom to 14-1 from 50-1.

Garry Coffey, racing manager to Newsells Stud, who bred and own the winner in partnership with Gestut Ammerland’s Dietrich von Boetticher, said: “It was terrific, he’s a very nice horse.

“He’s from a family which is very close to us at Newsells and obviously Waldgeist is the older brother. It’s great to see him win on debut like that.