Honour Prince’s win validated, trainer eyes Classic future
Trainer Robert Pearson believes that Honour Prince would have won the 32nd of the $1.75-million Prince Consort Stakes without interference.
The Graded Stakes contest for native-bred three-year-old colts and geldings, run over 7 furlongs (1,400m) on Saturday, April 12, 2025, was a major prep race on the ‘Road to the Triple Crown’.
Honour Prince emerged victorious in the Prince Consort Stakes after a dramatic turn of events, being awarded first place via the stewards’ room. Ridden by Phillip Parchment, Honour Prince was well-positioned on the inside rails, battling with Runaway Star (Raddesh Roman) for supremacy.
Despite being bumped twice and squeezed for space, Honour Prince persevered. Runaway Star initially crossed the finishing line first, but after a stewards’ inquiry and a jockey’s objection Runaway Star was disqualified. The finish time was 1:28.3. Mark My Identity secured third place, ridden by Demar Williams.
Pearson reflected on Honour Prince’s performance in the Prince Consort Stakes, saying: “The win was bittersweet. I think he did enough to win the race but unfortunately, he got interfered with twice. He is improving with every race and I think definitely he is class bound,” Pearson told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.
“He would have definitely won without the interference. He got interfered with from at the three furlongs by the number six [Strong Mind] and he suffered another interference at the furlong pole. So, he definitely ran the horse down to a length and I think that was good enough for the victory.”
Looking ahead, Pearson is undecided about Honour Prince’s next move, considering the proximity from The Kingston to the 2000 Guineas.
“I am undecided whether I am going in The Kingston. It is a little bit close, seven weeks from the 2000 Guineas. He is a small horse, he is a growing horse and so I will see how he comes out of this race,” Pearson said.
With a birth date of May 19, 2022, Honour Prince is still a young colt with plenty of room for growth. Pearson remains optimistic about his Classic prospects.
“He is not even a three-year-old as yet, he has a lot of scope. I am quietly confident that he will be a nice Classic horse,” he ended.
