'He's an exciting addition to the yard' - Flat ace Passenger embarks on latest journey

High-class performer Passenger has begun his latest journey back to the racecourse in the new surroundings of the George Scott yard after the retirement of his previous trainer Sir Michael Stoute last year.

The five-year-old joined the progressive Scott operation a couple of weeks ago after spending some time in rehabilitation to recover from the fractured cannon bone he sustained in his latest run at York last July.

Passenger has made just six starts over three seasons but wasted little time in showing his ability when scoring on his debut in the Wood Ditton Stakes at Newmarket in 2023 and later that year registered his first Group 3 win in the Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor.

Sidelined by injury after that, Passenger made a winning reappearance in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes at Chester in May but was forced out of an intended run at Royal Ascot with another setback before his third in the Group 2 Sky Bet Stakes at York.

George Scott: now training PassengerCredit: Sarah Farnsworth

Scott said of his new arrival: “It was a lovely phone call to get from the Niarchos family, who have kindly supported us since I started training. We’re delighted to have him and he’s an exciting addition to the yard. He seems to have a lovely outlook on life and seems very straightforward.“

Scott, who enjoyed his latest Group winner when West Acre struck at Meydan last Saturday, added: “Passenger is only midway through quite an extensive rehabilitation process and although at this stage he is ticking the right boxes, timing wise he has a long way to go before he will be in action on the grass gallops.”

He added on the return of his 117-rated newcomer: “We're optimistic but it's going to be a slow process and we’ll do everything we can to get him back on the track. His race record is there for everyone to see. He has stacks of ability and we are fortunate that we have a treadmill and a spa which will be aids to his recovery.

“We feel we can give him every possible chance and it’s part of the process of being a trainer to have these challenges.”

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