Latest horse racing news from UK, Ireland, and around the world.

Estrange heading to Haydock, with exciting options on the horizon

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Estrange will return to the happy hunting ground of Haydock for the bet365 Lancashire Oaks after connections decided to swerve the Pretty Polly Stakes.

The four-year-old ran out a most impressive winner of the Group Three Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes on her last outing in Merseyside at the end of May and will take her chance at Group Two level for the first time.

Trainer David O’Meara felt staying at a mile and a half on a course she knows will better suit the Cheveley Park Stud-owned grey, who is a best-priced 16-1 for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, such was the manner of her latest victory.

O’Meara said: “We did consider the Pretty Polly in Ireland for Estrange, but they missed a lot of the rain and I didn’t think there was a need to come back to 10 furlongs on quick ground.

“She won her last race quite easily at Haydock Park and it didn’t look like she had a hard race when she came in afterwards. She came home and ate up and was back into exercise two days later.

“It makes a lot of sense to go to Haydock Park as we have already been there and there are not the huge logistical arrangements that we would have faced to get over to Ireland.

“This looks a better fit for her and there appears to be the potential for a bit of rain as well which would help.

“There has been a lot of talk about her, but she doesn’t know that. When she gets out there hopefully it will be more of the same from her.

“Plenty of fillies have taken this race en route to Group One success so hopefully she turns up at Haydock Park at the weekend in the same form she has up to now.”

As well as the Arc, Estrange is among the leading contenders for the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, and O’Meara added: “As a yard, and a team, we are very excited, but we have to take every day as it comes as with racehorses 24 hours is a long time.

“We are very excited by her and hopefully she has got a few more good days in her yet.”

Lazy Griff not guaranteed to run again before Leger bid

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If Lazy Griff runs again before the Betfred St Leger it is likely to be in the Grosser Preis von Berlin.

Charlie Johnston’s charge has finished behind dual Derby winner Lambourn at Chester, Epsom and the Curragh this season and may yet have to come up against him at Doncaster.

His third in the Irish Derby was the opposite of his runner-up finish at Epsom, where he was handy throughout, as this time he was outpaced before flying home to finish third.

“It was quicker ground. William (Buick) jumped to go forward and he just couldn’t go the early pace on that ground,” said Mike Prince of owners Middleham Park Racing.

“He travelled sweetly at Epsom, but he just couldn’t lie up with them and it wasn’t until he hit the rising ground that he absolutely flew home. So the Derby form was upheld, but it happened in a very different way.

“It was a strange race to watch as coming round the bend Lambourn looked in trouble, but I think he fools you as that’s his racing style, he’s just tough and reality has shown he is a very good horse.

“What we do next is an interesting one as obviously the St Leger is his main target for the rest of the season. We’re coming into the height of summer and Charlie reiterated he wouldn’t want to run him on fast ground again.

“He’s in the Grosser Preis von Berlin on August 10 which is normally run on good ground so if we did have a run that would be the most likely as the Great Voltigeur is a bit close to Doncaster. But we’re not adamant that he needs to run again as he’s done Chester, Epsom and the Curragh which is tight enough with three tough races.

“The Leger is definitely his number one target and if he runs before then we’ll see. William said afterwards that his Derby run was no fluke and he’s a proper Group One horse.”

One-time Classic contender Passenger retired

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Former Classic contender Passenger has been retired from racing.

The son of Ulysses won at Group Two level in the Huxley Stakes at Chester last season and the Group Three Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor the previous season while in the care of Sir Michael Stoute.

He was switched to George Scott’s operation following Stoute’s retirement but never saw a racecourse for the Newmarket handler before the decision was taken to call time on his career.

Passenger’s last run was a third-place finish last July in the York Stakes and Scott said: “Passenger won’t race again. I’m happy to say now he won’t see a racecourse.

“We got a really good body of work into him, we just felt he lacked that slight bit of edge to go back to racing so we decided to retire him and find him a happy home.

“He retires from racing in great shape.”

The five-year bows out having won three of his six starts, with his only below-par run being in the Derby, where he was 12th of the 14 starters behind Auguste Rodin.

Stars aligned for stellar renewal of Coral-Eclipse

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Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown is shaping up to be the race of the season so far, with a plethora of Group One winners confirmed on Monday, headed by Ombudsman.

John and Thady Gosden’s four-year-old came of age at Royal Ascot when winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and only has one defeat on his record.

That was in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at the hands of Ed Walker’s Almaqam and the two could clash again at the weekend.

Back in second at Ascot was Owen Burrows’ evergreen Champion Stakes winner Anmaat, although connections will want to see more rain than is currently forecast.

“He needs rain to run. We’re having a look and there is a few showers about Wednesday and Thursday, but he would need a drop of rain,” said Burrows.

Anmaat and Jim Crowley after finishing second in the Prince of Wales's Stakes
Anmaat and Jim Crowley after finishing second in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Adam Morgan/PA)

“We’re on weather-watch a bit so he’s by no means a definite runner.

“The showers are so hit and miss. It feels like you could get a real good thunder storm as it is so hot and muggy but you might only get 2-4mm and Andrew Cooper (clerk of the course) would be putting all that and more on with watering, so that’s not going to make much difference.

“We just felt because it is so hot if there are a few thunderstorms it’s worth leaving him in but he would need a nice drop of rain – more than what they are forecasting.

“He’s come out of Ascot well but this is just two and a half weeks later so I wouldn’t want to be running him on fast ground again.”

Andre Fabre has had the race as a target for some time for Sosie. Beaten favourite when fourth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last season, he has won the Prix Ganay and Prix d’Ispahan this term over shorter trips.

William Buick on board Ruling Court after winning the 2000 Guineas
William Buick on board Ruling Court after winning the 2000 Guineas (Joe Giddens/PA)

Charlie Appleby’s 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court could aim to bounce back from his defeat in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Aidan O’Brien has left three in, the French Derby winner Camille Pissarro, Delacroix, who was sent off favourite in the Derby, and Epanded.

Jessica Harrington’s Hotazhell, a Group One winner at two, Ralph Beckett’s Derby fifth Stanhope Gardens and Joseph Murphy’s White Birch complete the top-class potential field of 11.

The sponsors have installed Ombudsman as their 13-8 favourite ahead of Sosie at 9-2.

“With all the leading contenders standing their ground at the latest entry stage, we have the prospect of a stellar line-up for this year’s Coral-Eclipse, the 50th running of the race under our sponsorship,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

“This is the traditional first clash of the generations, and so it’s fitting there are both Group One-winning older horses and Classic-winning three-year-olds prominent in the betting.”

Baffert hails ‘true visionary’ Lukas

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Bob Baffert has paid a heartfelt tribute to D. Wayne Lukas, the legendary American trainer who died at the age of 89 on Saturday.

Baffert credits Lukas with being a true inspirational figure as he was starting out in his own career both in Quarter Horse racing and later when he moved into training thoroughbreds.

In a post on X, Baffert said: “I first saw D. Wayne Lukas as a teenager at a small County Fair racetrack close to my hometown in Nogales, Arizona. He rolled into town with his gleaming chrome trailer, big, beautifully turned out horses, and the most expensive-looking Stetson hat that I had ever seen.

“He won race after race and made such a huge impression on me that I fell in love with Quarter horse racing right there.

“Years later, when I transitioned into thoroughbreds, Wayne was the competition, and all I wanted was to beat him in the big races. It didn’t take me long to realise how difficult that would be.

“Wayne was a game changer, transforming horse racing for the better. He made it so the horse’s bloodlines were more important than the owner’s. He created a system of flying his horses coast to coast, establishing a presence at every major racetrack in America. And Wayne didn’t just show up. He dominated. He won so much he became known as ‘D. Wayne off the plane’. He developed the blueprint the rest of us still follow. He was a true visionary.

“The horses were everything to Wayne. They were his life. From the way he worked them, how he cared for them, and how he maintained his shed row as meticulously as he did his horses. No detail was too small. Many of us got our graduate degrees in training by studying how Wayne did it.

“Behind his famous shades, he was a tremendous horseman, probably the greatest who ever lived.

“As I grew older and wiser, Wayne remained the competition, but he also became a mentor and one of my best friends. When he beat me, I knew I was beaten by the best. When I beat him, I knew I had done something right.

“Wayne had a special aura about him. He had a knack for making others feel seen and valued. He was uniquely charming and an eternal optimist. In one of my last conversations with him, we talked about the importance of looking at the glass half full and continuing to compete in what he called the big arena.

“To his final days, he was a relentless competitor. He set out with ambitious goals and achieved them all. One of the things that made Wayne so special was the steadfast love and support of his wife, Laurie, an excellent horsewoman in her own right, and his grandchildren.

“Wayne impacted the lives of so many people in racing and raised the bar for all of us. He was the epitome of excellence, and I’ll miss him every day for the rest of my life.

“I hope somewhere along the way, I made him proud.”

Jerry Bailey enjoyed many big-race victories for Lukas and posted on X: “With our deepest sympathies, Suzee and I extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the entire Lukas family on the passing of Thoroughbred Racing legend D. Wayne Lukas. Wayne played an instrumental role in many of the highlights of my riding career. He will truly be missed.”

Racing Bulletin for 30/06/2025

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Hall of Fame trainer Lukas dies aged 89

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Legendary American trainer D. Wayne Lukas has died at the age of 89.

It was announced on Monday that he had been forced to retire due to serious health issues and he was to leave hospital to spend his final days with his family at his home in Louisville, Kentucky.

Lukas died on Saturday evening and a statement from his family on www.churchilldowns.com read: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of legendary Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

“Wayne dedicated his life to Thoroughbred racing — not only through his unmatched success on the track, but through his impact on the people within it. He shaped generations of horsemen and horsewomen, and helped grow the sport with his passion, vision, and leadership.

“Whether he was touting a promising two-year-old or quietly offering advice before a big race, Wayne brought heart, grace, and grit to every part of the game.

“At this time, we ask you to please join us in a moment of silence to honour the memory of D. Wayne Lukas.”

Lukas, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, won the Kentucky Derby four times among his 15 Triple Crown race wins and had 20 victories at the Breeders’ Cup, a record matched only by Aidan O’Brien.

It had already been announced that long-serving assistant, Englishman Sebastian “Bas” Nicholl will take over the running of his stable.

Shannon Arvin, president and chief executive of Keeneland, hailed Lukas’ impact at the Kentucky venue during his illustrious career.

“D. Wayne Lukas was a legend – a masterful trainer with passion, attention to detail and a tireless pursuit of success, as well as a mentor whose barn produced a number of racing’s most successful trainers,” Arvin said.

“His impact at Keeneland, where he was a presence for nearly 50 years, is not likely to be seen again.

“Since buying his first horse here in 1977, he influenced yearling sales through his emphasis on conformation and body type while affecting the way horses were bred and prepped to produce yearlings that would appeal to him.

“After Wayne won his first Keeneland race in 1980, he set numerous records during our Spring and Fall Meets and across the country with a powerful stable of runners, many of which he and his clients had purchased here.

“On behalf of Keeneland, we extend our deepest condolences to Wayne’s wife, Laurie, and his entire family.”

Calandagan finally breaks Group One duck

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Calandagan claimed the elusive Group One success his connections craved with a decisive victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Second four times at the highest level since striking at Royal Ascot last summer, Francis-Henri Graffard’s four-year-old has locked horns with some of the best around, performing admirably up against the likes of City Of Troy and most recently Jan Brueghel at Epsom.

However, returned to home soil he proved a cut above the opposition in what appeared a stacked contest on paper, storming three and a half lengths clear of Christophe Ferland’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Aventure.

Calandagan is now 3-1 joint-favourite with his Epsom conqueror Jan Brueghel with Coral for a King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes rematch at Ascot on July 26.

Graffard said: “Well, he’s not ungenuine. The race went really well for him and I thought he was travelling much more into the rhythm of the race this time.

Mickael (Barzalona, jockey) said he still had to ask him to keep up sometimes during the race but then in the straight, when there is rhythm and he can follow the pace, he can really lengthen and quicken really strongly. I thought he was really impressive.

“After Epsom my first conclusion was that he needed the run probably against that horse on that ground that day. I thought he came on a lot for that and I think he’s gaining experience with his jockey knowing him better also.

“He’s never run a bad race and he’s either been beaten by a champion or circumstances. Today everything went his way and we saw how good he could be.

“I will obviously discuss the King George with connections, but he is entitled to go to Ascot, it is a place he has won before and I would like to take him there 100 per cent.”

Calandagan’s victory capped a fine afternoon for Graffard and the Aga Khan Studs team as they earlier watched Daryz remain unbeaten with an impressive display in the Prix Eugene Adam.

George Scott’s Bay City Roller can count himself unfortunate to bump into the exciting son of Sea The Stars, who after being shortened to just 14-1  for the Arc, could take a trip to York for the Juddmonte International Stakes later in the summer.

“We’ll take it step by step with Calandagan and the next race (at Ascot) is a big one. But if you want to talk about the Juddmonte International then that is a race I will put forwards for Daryz,” Graffard added to Sky Sports Racing.

“I will discuss with Princess Zahra where she would like to go, but I will probably make an entry for Daryz at York and he is a horse I like a lot. I need to make him tougher and give him experience and I think he will get that if he goes abroad.”

Serious Contender proves well named with Irish Derby effort

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Gavin Ryan came close to breaking his Classic duck on Serious Contender, who gave odds-on favourite and stablemate Lambourn a real fright in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

Second in a handicap at Royal Ascot, Serious Contender was sent off a relatively unconsidered 28-1 chance but gave his 8-13 stable companion plenty to think about.

Having had to work hard to see off the Ralph Beckett second string Sir Dinadan, Lambourn and Ryan Moore might have felt they had done enough but Serious Contender made them pull out all the stops, eventually going down by just three-quarters of a length.

“He’s a lovely horse, a big laid-back type and he was coming off it (bridle) a long way out, the more you ask the more he gives you,” said Ryan.

“He’s a big, tough, genuine type and it was a lovely run.”

Charlie Johnston’s Lazy Griff has now finished behind Lambourn at Chester, Epsom and the Curragh but another clash could be on the cards in September at Doncaster.

“It wasn’t an easy watch, after half a mile I thought ‘we’re not winning, that’s for sure’ as he just couldn’t hold his pitch,” Johnston told Racing TV.

“He was getting bullied out of where he wanted to be by the Ballydoyle contingent and horses who were just travelling better than him so we ended up further back than we wanted.

“Even turning into the straight I thought we were treading water but then that last furlong when he met the rising ground he’s flown home.

“We were always concerned about the ground coming in to this meeting and clearly softer ground would have suited him better and another two furlongs is going to suit him so if the winner is going to the Leger we’re all ready for round four!

“It’s about time this horse started to get the credit he deserves, he’s been placed in two Derbys now, he’s been overlooked at every step so far but he keeps showing he belongs at this level and that is where he’ll be going forward.”

Joseph O’Brien’s Tennessee Stud, just like he had at Epsom, finished behind Lambourn and Lazy Griff back in fourth.

His jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle said: “It was a great run, he just got a little bit outpaced at the bottom of the straight but he came home well inside the last furlong and hit the line strong.”

Keke provides Lynam with a first a Rockingham

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Keke continued on his upward curve, as Billy Lee rode the winner of the Dubai Duty Free Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh for the second year running.

Lee was successful aboard Amazon Lady for Willie McCreery from stall one 12 months ago and repeated the dose aboard Edward Lynam’s 11-4 favourite who went one better than his second here over six furlongs last month, scoring by a length.

Lynam said: “It’s a race I’ve always wanted to win. I’ve got a nickname as being a good sprint trainer (Fast Eddie) and I’ve never even got close to winning it.

“I trained him for this race and when I saw the draw on Friday, I thought we were in trouble.

“We’ve just brought him along steadily and it’s great to win this race.”

Earlier on the card Dermot Weld’s Juddmonte-owned son of Frankel Sujet (10-1) produced an impressive display to down Aidan O’Brien’s 6-4 favourite Mississippi River in the opening Dubai Duty Free Handicap.

Sujet struck a telling blow at the Curragh
Sujet struck a telling blow at the Curragh (Brian Lawless/PA)

Weld said: “Chris (Hayes) had him in a lovely position throughout. When you are drawn wide here it is important to go and get a position otherwise you will be forced very wide over the nine furlongs, but he got him out and got him over.

“He tracked Ryan (Moore) and the plan was to have a go at him in the final furlong and that is just what he did.

“We’ll see how he comes out of the race and another featured handicap will be the plan for him.”

There was also a smart performance from Slieve Binnian (7-1) to claim the Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Handicap for David Marnane in the hands of Luke McAteer.

Slieve Binnian (centre) on the way to Curragh victory
Slieve Binnian (centre) on the way to Curragh victory (Brian Lawless/PA)

Marnane said: “Mick (Halford, former trainer) recommended us and I’ve known Paul Rooney (owner) for a long time. He’s one of the real gentlemen in racing.

“He ran really well on Guineas weekend, and we put him away for this. He could be a Galway Mile horse and will need to go up a few pounds to get in, so we’ll see what the handicapper does with him.

“I’d like to have a go at Galway as he jumps smart and travels well.

“He hasn’t had many goes at a mile. He took a while to get going the last day but came home well and sharpened up a lot from it.”

Lambourn toughs it out to land Derby double

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Lambourn extended Aidan O’Brien’s stellar record in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, as he became the 20th horse to follow up Epsom success at the Curragh with a battling victory over stablemate Serious Contender.

Sent off the 8-13 favourite to repeat his Epsom triumph, Ryan Moore tried to replicate Wayne Lordan’s inspired front-running ride on the Surrey Downs, but met stern resistance from Ralph Beckett’s second-string Sir Dinadan who refused to let Lambourn get his own way in front.

Moore stoked up the Epsom hero rounding the home turn and although Sir Dinadan’s challenge began to wilt, it was Ballydoyle stablemate and King George V Stakes runner-up Serious Contender in the hands of Gavin Ryan who loomed large looking a huge threat.

The Ballydoyle pair began to duel inside the final furlong, but Lambourn proved a willing ally for Moore as his stamina and Classic quality came to the fore to win by three-quarters of a length and earn a place in the history books alongside his sire Australia and grand-sire Galileo who also did the Anglo-Irish Derby double.

Serious Contender finished second at 28-1, with Charlie Johnston’s Epsom runner-up Lazy Griff staying on for third at 14-1.

“He’s a very straightforward horse that gets the trip well,” said O’Brien.

“Ryan was going to be happy if someone came with him as that keeps him focused. He’s a little bit laid-back, a little bit lazy and you could see up the straight he was waiting all the time but that’s him. Ryan gave him a lovely ride.

“Ryan thought he would keep pulling out and he was pricking his ears all the way.

“He could be a King George horse, he could be an Arc horse. He gets the trip well and is very sound and very genuine.

“We minded the second horse for a handicap in Ascot that we thought he couldn’t get beat and then a horse came and beat us that was entered in the King George so it just goes to show what can happen.”

Darryll Holland ‘owes everything’ to Barry Hills

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Tributes continue to pour in for the late Barry Hills, with Darryll Holland describing one of the greatest trainers of his generation as a “father figure”.

Hills, who died at the age of 88 and saddled over 3,000 winners during a long and decorated career in the training ranks, had a huge influence on Holland’s early career and is also credited with setting many on the path to success within the racing industry.

Holland enjoyed many big-race wins around the world in the saddle before setting up as a trainer himself.

However, he will always remember fondly the early days of his racing life which were shaped by Hills and his wife Penny, becoming champion apprentice under Hills’ stewardship in 1991.

Darryll Holland began his career with Barry Hills
Darryll Holland began his career with Barry Hills (Mike Egerton/PA)

“I owe everything to Barry and Penny, they engineered my career and guided me to where I am today,” said Holland.

“He made me champion apprentice and then first jockey and he was a tough man but very fair and a genius of a trainer. It’s an end of an era really.

“I was a raw 15-year old from Manchester and he guided me through, I owe him an awful lot.

“It was a steep learning curve at times and I had the pleasure of bumping into him at the Lockinge meeting (Newbury) and introducing my kids to him and he was still as scary then as he was 30 years ago, but he was an amazing fellow and I always had nothing but respect for him.

“He was a father figure and him and Penny were like my second mum and dad and it was a very sad day yesterday when I got told the news from Michael (Hills).”

Nicky Henderson has paid tribute to his great friend Barry Hills
Nicky Henderson has paid tribute to his great friend Barry Hills (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

There were also words of sorrow from the world of jumps racing, as Nicky Henderson reminisced about the times he enjoyed with his great Lambourn neighbour.

Henderson said: “We were good friends but he certainly taught me a few things. I was a bit younger and it was a bit of a strange duet really but we would do an awful lot of things together on and off the racecourse. We had some wonderful times.

“He always said whatever he thought and we could have had an argument, but there was no point as he was always going to win it. If he said something you disagreed with, you just went with it as he was always going to prove he was right in the end!

“He made himself but he also made a lot of people who got on the bus with him and we have to be very grateful to have been a part of it.”

Barry Hills was head of a great racing dynasty (PA)

Speaking to Racing TV’s Luck On Sunday, he added: “It was one of those incredible innings and you get the feeling the last few weeks haven’t been easy.

“He’d had a few adversities over the year but kept coming back and back, mainly through Penny, who has just been unbelievable throughout.

“He would always call it ‘God’s waiting room’ and he visited it a few times but kept coming back and these last few weeks he just didn’t want to leave the party and that’s what he was all about, as he had such a will to live and love it all.

“That family has just been remarkable and Penny has pulled him through so many battles, he would keep coming back for more and what a lot of fun we have had over some fantastic years.

“He was just a man of huge integrity and friendship and the family he brought up, he would just be so proud of them all. I know he will look on it as a fantastic era, as we all do.”

Skukuza gains second Curragh victory for Ed Dunlop

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Ed Dunlop’s Skukuza showed his liking for the Curragh once again when claiming the Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes.

The four-year-old had made a successful raid on a valuable handicap at the Kildare track on Irish 2,000 Guineas day but this time was back for Listed action and was sent off at 11-4 in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Quickly sent to the head of affairs by his big-race pilot, the Newmarket traveller never missed a beat on the front end as Moore dictated the pace before sending his mount on to secure a two-and-a-quarter-length victory over Johnny Murtagh’s Alakazi, with Paddy Twomey’s 2-1 favourite Currawood further back in third.

Robin Trevor Jones, travelling head lad to Ed Dunlop, said: “We ran him in the Britannia last year where he ran a great race (second) but it really jarred him up and we couldn’t risk him on that fast ground at Ascot this year.

“It was a brave decision not to run when you are one of the favourites for the Royal Hunt Cup but the plan has worked. He’s a Listed winner now so we are growing.

“Ryan really wanted to get a lead but he didn’t expect any pace on so he said I might have to make my own running which he did. The horse has never done that, but he did everything right and I think the further he went the further he was going to win.

“He likes coming back here for Classic days so maybe there is something for him on Oaks day!”

Vespertilio pips My Mate Alfie in Dash thriller

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Vespertilio edged out last year’s winner My Mate Alfie in a thrilling finish to the Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes at the Curragh.

One of Willie McCreery’s stable stars, Verspertilio was not beaten far in the Greenlands Stakes over this course and distance last time out but was given a more patient ride this time around by Dylan Browne McMonagle.

As Ger Lyons’ My Mate Alfie produced his customary honest challenge from up near the pace, Browne McMonagle found himself towards the rear of the field as the race began to develop, but he had a willing partner as the daughter of Night Of Thunder quickly weaved her way to within striking distance.

It was soon left to the the 2-1 favourite to fight out the conclusion with her main market rival My Mate Alfie, with just a short head separating them at the finish, as Vespertilio tasted success for the first time since claiming the Debutante Stakes as a two-year-old.

McCreery said: “She needs cover and lots of speed. Dylan was very patient and said when she hit the front she thought she had everything done and pulled herself up.

“I’m delighted to get her back in the winner’s enclosure. She won a Group Two here as a two-year-old and was third in a French Guineas.

“It was hard to persuade the owners to bring her back to six furlongs as she had such good form over a mile, but it has paid off – Night Of Thunder puts loads of speed into them, the important thing is to switch her off early.

“We might go for the Maurice De Gheest. She has a French breeder premium so she gets another bonus on top if she does well over there.”

Arc emerges as ultimate target for Map Of Stars

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Map Of Stars will be pointed towards the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when he returns from a summer break, after pleasing connections with a respectable effort in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Francis-Henri Graffard’s four-year-old had made a fine start to the new campaign, winning his first two starts before going down narrowly by a neck when up against Andre Fabre’s Sosie in the Prix Ganay.

Sent off 13-2 for a red-hot Group One at the Royal meeting, he was not disgraced when fourth behind Ombudsman, with his team now deciding the time is right to step up in trip with Europe’s most prestigious middle-distance prize the ultimate aim in the autumn.

“We were not disappointed at all with him and with the French style of racing where they tend to go steady then sprint, he will never have gone as fast in his life as they went in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser for Map Of Stars’ owners Wathnan Racing.

“He’s done very little wrong and he will have learned a lot from Ascot. He’s still a baby really and still growing up and will come forward from that mentally.

“He ran a solid race and I think we’ll give him a break now, he’s had four runs and we’ll come back for one of the Arc trials and step him up in distance.

“He’s bred for it, so we’ll run him in a trial and take a look at the Arc. I’m sure he’s going to get a mile and a half and I think he’s going to be better over that distance.

“If he is he’ll likely handle the likely soft ground and it’s the obvious race to target him at. Whether he will be good enough, who knows, but he’s got plenty of ability.”

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