Palladium: £1.4 Million Purchase to Make Hurdle Debut at Huntingdon

Consisting of seven contests rated at Class 4 level or below and headlined by a Class 2 Pertemps Network Qualifier, there is little out of the ordinary about the National Hunt card at Huntingdon on Thursday. With 9+ runner fields throughout, a competitive afternoon awaits, but in terms of class, the fixture is put in the shade by the Graded action on offer from Gowran Park.

Nevertheless, race two from Huntingdon, the Pertemps Network Maiden Hurdle (Div II), seems likely to be one of the most watched of the day. The reason for this scrutiny is the presence of a rather expensive arrival at the Nicky Henderson yard.

Palladium Shines at the Track

The focus of all the attention is the Gleneagles colt Palladium who, following a successful time of things on the German flat scene, makes his much-anticipated National Hunt debut.

Formerly based at the yard of Hank Grewe, Palladium boasts plenty of appeal on pedigree, thanks to his English and Irish 2000 Guineas-winning sire and dam, Path Wind, who finished a close second in an Italian Group 1.

Making his debut in 2023, the good-looking bay hit the frame in two juvenile outings without getting his head in front. Moving into his Classic campaign, Palladium broke his duck in a Dusseldorf Maiden before coming up short in Group 2 company at Cologne.

Given that overall level of form, it was no surprise to see the mount of Thore Hammer Hansen amongst the outsiders for the 2024 edition of the German Derby. However, he belied those 233/10 odds to come with a relentless late run and score by a neck.

And in the Sales Ring

Palladium ended his time in Germany on a low note when disappointing in the Preis von Europa. However, Classic winners all but guarantee a pretty penny at the sales, and such was the case when Palladium went through the ring at the Arcana Arc Sale in October 2024.

Initially purchased for €80,000 in 2022, the colt fetched a whopping €1.4 million two years on. The question was, what did new owner Lady Bamford have in mind for him?

Next Stop Seven Barrows

Considering his flat pedigree, Group 1 winning form, and the fact that Lady Bamford is most associated with success on the level, you might have expected Palladium to rock up at the yard of a leading British flat trainer. As such, it was a little surprising to learn that his next box would be at the Seven Barrows operation of Nicky Henderson.

That said, there is some hope on pedigree that Palladium may develop into a talented jumps performer. Gleneagles counts Listed winning hurdlers Common Practice, Cabot Cliffs and Eagles Reign amongst his offspring, whilst Path Wind’s son Panjari added three hurdles wins to his Listed victories on the level.

From Huntingdon to the Hardwicke?

Huntingdon 12:47 on 23rd January 2025 Betting
Palladium is the short price favourite to win on debut for Nicky Henderson

Given his eye-catching profile and the fact that he reverts to obstacles, it is no surprise to see Palladium touted as a potential Cheltenham contender. Henderson didn’t rule out a trip to Prestbury Park ahead of the four-year-old’s British debut when stating:

“He schooled and worked Monday morning, and he was really good. I’ve run out of juvenile hurdles for him. Kempton was off, so Lulamba had to switch to Ascot, and I don’t want to go to Cheltenham with him first time out for obvious reasons.”

The Triumph Hurdle appears to be the logical Cheltenham target, provided all goes well at Huntingdon. However, Henderson already has the hot favourite for that contest in the shape of impressive Ascot scorer, Lulamba, and was keen to pour cold water on comparisons between the two horses.

“There’s no comparison at all with him and Lulamba – he’s going to be a strapping chaser, hopefully. We’ll have to cross the bridges as we go. Lulamba is an all-out chaser, but Palladium is to go back on the Flat. We’ll have a look at the Triumph if that is suitable, but if not, we’ll head back to the Flat. I’ve always thought the Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot) or something like that would be suitable. You have to remember, he is still a colt!”