The winners of the UAE Derby and the UAE Oaks arrived at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, for their respective tilts in the US$2 million Kentucky Derby (G1) and $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks on Saturday and Friday, respectively in good nick with no after effects from their flight.

Michael Tabor, Mrs John Magnier and Derrick Smith’s Aidan O’Brien-trained Mendelssohn, winner of the UAE Derby by 18½ lengths to the good of said UAE Oaks winner — Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi’s Rayya — arrived at Churchill Downs from his Ballydoyle base in County Tipperary, Ireland, on Monday (April 30, 2018) at approximately 9:50 pm. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) winner immediately entered quarantine in Barn 17 and was cleared by late Wednesday afternoon.

Mendelssohn was expected to arrive closer to 5:30 pm, but the plane carrying him and his stablemates was diverted from Louisville to Indianapolis. A groom on the flight apparently did not have his paperwork in order, and had to go through customs in Indianapolis. Mendelssohn and the Coolmore group were then vanned to Louisville from Indianapolis.

Pat Keating, head traveling lad representing O’Brien reported that the son of Scat Daddy shipped well, as did his stablemates, fellow Dubai World Cup night alumni Threeandfourpence, War Decree, and Deauville.

“Everything is fine and they settled in great,” Keating said. “We couldn’t be happier with them.”