Nicky Henderson is set to unleash the world’s most expensive jumps horse on Thursday.
Palladium previously raced on the Flat in Germany where he won two of his seven starts, notably the German Derby. On his only other start he finished last of six in a Group 1 race behind Godolphin superstar Rebel’s Romance.
In October he was offered for sale at the Arqana Arc Sale in Paris where Highflyer Bloodstock landed the successful bid of £1.18 million. He was bought on behalf of Lady Bamford and put into training with Henderson.
On Thursday it is set to be curtain up on Palladium’s jumps career with the four-year-old one of ten declared for division two of the Pertemps Network Maiden Hurdle at Huntingdon.
Nico de Boinville takes the mount in what could be a dress rehearsal for the Cheltenham Festival.
Since he joined the Seven Barrows yard, Henderson has asserted that Palladium will likely race on the Flat as well as the jumps.
In a Racing Post stable tour shortly after Palladium’s arrival, the trainer said: “He’s the most handsome and classy three-year-old, who was trained in Germany and won the German Derby.
“He’s still a colt and we intend for him to stay that way because he has the looks and pedigree for a potential stallion.
“The plan would be to see how he enjoys jumping and if it’s something he enjoys then we’ll go down that route, but he’ll definitely be campaigned on the Flat season next year.
“I’m pretty sure he appreciates a little bit of cut in the ground and Royal Ascot would be something we’ll look at. He seems to have a wonderful temperament.”
Palladium is a 16-1 chance for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham for which the stable already has the 6-4 favourite in Lulamba who made a winning debut over jumps at Ascot last Saturday.
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