Tag Archive for: Big Rock

Guarnieri pencils in Deauville date for Big Rock

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Big Rock will likely bid to get his career back on track at Deauville later in the summer after a disappointing run in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The four-year-old was a brilliant all-the-way winner of last season’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over the same course and distance on Champions Day, but has not managed to recapture that form since leaving Christopher Head to join Maurizio Guarnieri.

After being beaten into sixth place on his stable debut in the Lockinge at Newbury last month, hopes were high that Big Rock would raise his game on his return to the scene of his finest hour.

However, after blazing a trail down the centre of the track, with only compatriot Facteur Cheval for company as the rest of the field raced towards the stands’ rail, he weakened out of contention to finish 10th.

Guarnieri believes the forceful tactics backfired on quick ground and hopes to see him return to an easier surface at Deauville, where he could either contest the Prix Jacques le Marois on August 11 or drop down in class in search of a confidence-boosting success.

“He is OK after the race, but as you know he went on the right and most of the other horses were on the left,” said the trainer.

“I think after five furlongs on a track that was very hard, the race was finished (for him).

“He will probably go to Deauville, I’m not sure if we go in the Group One or in a Group Three.”

The following afternoon Guarnieri saddled four-time Group One-winning filly Blue Rose Cen in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, but she too was unable to land a telling blow, finishing a well-beaten seventh of 10 behind Auguste Rodin.

The daughter of Churchill also has Deauville on her agenda.

Guarnieri added: “With Blue Rose Cen we tried to win, but with a four-year-old filly in the first part of the year, it is very difficult to beat a big, champion colt like Auguste Rodin.

“We tried to beat a champion, but the champion is the champion and he is a very strong horse.

“For us it is better to run with fillies. She was a champion filly as a two-year-old and a three-year-old, but she never ran against colts and it’s not so easy to go against horses like Auguste Rodin and all the others.

“Normally, she will go to Deauville for Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville on August 18.”



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Big Rock back at the scene of his finest hour for Queen Anne challenge

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Crack French miler Big Rock returns to the scene of his finest hour seeking to give his new handler Maurizio Guarnieri a red-letter day in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

That brilliant Queen Elizabeth II Stakes success, where the Rock Of Gibraltar colt romped to a six-length success, came under the tutelage of Christopher Head, but owners Yeguada Centurion SL decided on a switch to the Chantilly-based Italian ahead of the new season.

Guarnieri has already made one huge call since Big Rock’s underwhelming return in Newbury’s Lockinge Stakes, replacing the four-year-old’s regular jockey Aurelien Lemaitre with Christophe Soumillon, and he is hopeful the new partnership can combine successfully in the traditional curtain-raiser to the Royal meeting.

“The colt did a good trial nine days ago with two leaders and the new jockey Soumillon sat on the horse,” said Guarnieri.

“We were happy with the horse and Soumillon was happy, so we arrive at Ascot with plenty of hope.

“I know the race will be really hard to win and Facteur Cheval at this moment is the best miler in the world.

“Charyn ran a super race last time at Newbury and so did the horse that won, Audience. So this race is very very hard, but I hope Big Rock has improved from his last race.”

As identified by Guarnieri, one of Big Rock’s biggest dangers could come from fellow French raider Facteur Cheval, who was a brave second behind Big Rock on Qipco British Champions Day.

The testing ground proved to be in Big Rock’s favour on that occasion, but trainer Jerome Reynier is full of confidence following his charge’s thrilling victory at Meydan in the Dubai Turf.

He said: “He knows the straight mile at Ascot because he did so well in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes last year behind Big Rock. The ground conditions are not going to be the same but we saw him performing really well on good ground in Dubai, so we can go to Royal Ascot with a lot of hope.

“Last year he had to face champions like Paddington and Big Rock and it was the first time he had travelled. Goodwood and Ascot were his first times out of France and now as a five-year-old he is more mature mentally and physically and he’s ready to run even better. Now he is in the shape of his life and we couldn’t be any more happier with him.

“We wanted to run him in the Queen Elizabeth Cup in Hong Kong after Dubai, but we thought that would not be very fair on him, so I think it was a good move to not go to Hong Kong to maximise our chances here in the Queen Anne Stakes.”

It was John and Thady Gosden’s Audience who took advantage of both Big Rock and stablemate Inspiral’s below-par efforts when causing a shock in the Lockinge last month.

Audience (left) runs them ragged at Newbury
Audience (left) runs them ragged at Newbury (Steven Paston/PA)

With Inspiral defecting to Wednesday’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes, the five-year-old is tasked with not only proving that Newbury triumph was nothing more than a flash in the pan, but also representing his high-profile connections on the biggest stage.

“I hope he will dispel any thoughts that his win in the Lockinge was a bit a fluke,” said Chris Richardson, managing director of owners Cheveley Park Stud.

“He’s a high-class horse, his fractions for the first four furlongs at Newbury were impressive and the time of the race as a whole was good. I think that indicates he deserves to be taking his chance.”

Roger Varian’s Charyn filled the runner-up spot in the Lockinge, faring best of those who set out to catch the front-running Audience in the closing stages.

He will now bid to regain the winning thread and add to his profitable beginning to the 2024 season under Silvestre de Sousa.

“He is very complete now. He’s a big, strong horse and very uncomplicated,” said Varian ahead of this British Champions Series event.

Charyn has won twice so far this season
Charyn has won twice so far this season (John Walton/PA)

“You could say that at Doncaster and Sandown he didn’t perform any better than he had done at his peak as a three-year-old, when he was bumping into Paddington fairly regularly, but I think his Lockinge run tells you he’s a better horse this year.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Audience, who is a good horse in his own right, but he raced on his own and Charyn destroyed the others, which included some jolly nice ones. For me that was a career best and marked him out as a genuine Group One horse.

“I don’t think he could be any better. He’s thriving at the moment. His condition since the Lockinge has been good and his work in the last fortnight has been very on point. It will be slightly different ground by the look of it and there are some nice French horses he hasn’t seen before but I couldn’t be more pleased with him.”

Royal Scotsman was among those who struggled to land a blow at Newbury, but Paul and Oliver Cole’s star performer showed he retained plenty of talent with front-running tactics employed successfully at Epsom.

Harry Eustace’s Docklands faces the toughest assignment of his career as he attempts to win at the meeting for the second consecutive year, while William Haggas’ Maljoom was an unlucky loser in the 2022 St James’s Palace Stakes and having been seen just twice since, is out to prove he is still a force in Group One company.



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Soumillon to ride Big Rock and Blue Rose Cen at Royal Ascot

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Christophe Soumillon will ride both Big Rock and Blue Rose Cen at Royal Ascot next week.

Trainer Maurizio Guarnieri confirmed Soumillon would take over from the regular rider of the pair, Aurelien Lemaitre, due to his greater experience of Ascot and his excellent record in big races around the world.

Big Rock, a startling winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day when trained by Christopher Head, disappointed on his seasonal reappearance in the Lockinge at Newbury when he had valid excuses and heads for the Queen Anne.

Blue Rose Cen, three times a winner in Group One company last season for Head, made a pleasing reappearance when beaten a little over two lengths in the Prix d’Ispahan by Mqse De Sevigne and will run in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

Soumillon’s last Group One win in the UK came in the Coral-Eclipse on Vadeni in 2022.

Soumillon will replace Aurelien Lemaitre, who won on Big Rock on Champions Day
Soumillon will replace Aurelien Lemaitre, who won on Big Rock on Champions Day (John Walton/PA)

Guarnieri told the PA news agency: “Soumillon is going to ride them both, we’ve decided.

“Christophe is world class. I and the owners decided to change. I think he is a champion, it is just that.

“He knows all the tracks, he knows Ascot very well and he has won Group One races everywhere so I think he is the best choice.”

As for Big Rock’s chances, they could be boosted by some forecast rain.

“I hope the rain comes, that should help him,” said Guarnieri.

“He had a problem coming out of the stalls in the Lockinge, he went down on his knee, after that it was very difficult.

“The ground was also not in his favour at Newbury but the main problem was the start, when you put your nose on the ground the race is compromised.

“We know he likes Ascot but the ground was very heavy that day.”

Blue Rose Cen (centre) endured a luckless run at Glorious Goodwood last summer
Blue Rose Cen (centre) endured a luckless run at Glorious Goodwood last summer (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Blue Rose Cen pleased connections with her comeback against the boys and will run in traditionally one of the hottest races of the week.

“I was happy with her performance in the d’Ispahan. After so long off it is not so easy to come back in a Group One race against the older colts who had already run,” said Guarnieri.

“She finished off her race, the distance was maybe a little short so with an extra furlong I am confident she will run well.”



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Blue Rose Cen to face tough test on first start for Guarnieri

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Maurizio Guarnieri accepts Blue Rose Cen faces a stiff task on her return to action in Sunday’s Prix d’Ispahan at ParisLongchamp, which is also her stable debut.

A star last season for Christopher Head, she completed a French Guineas and Oaks double and rounded off her campaign with victory in the Prix de l’Opera.

She was one of a team of horses moved by owners Yeguada Centurion from Head to Guarnieri, along with QEII winner Big Rock.

“Blue Rose Cen arrived at the stable at the end of January, so I’ve had plenty of time to get to know her, she’s a nice filly,” Guarnieri told Sky Sports Racing.

“She progressed a lot in the spring but two months ago, after a week of hot weather we got very cold weather, so she stopped for a moment – but at the moment, I’m very happy with her condition.

“I know it is very difficult to come back in a Group One race after over 200 days off.

“I hope she will run a good race. It is not easy to come back in Group Ones against good horses like she will face on Sunday. I’m happy with her condition but she might not be 100 per cent for her first race, but that is normal.

“The ground won’t be a problem for her.”

Big Rock was a winner on Champions Day last year
Big Rock was a winner on Champions Day last year (John Walton/PA)

Big Rock made his comeback in the Lockinge at Newbury on Saturday but his race was almost over before it had begun, although there were no lasting effects.

“Big Rock had a problem coming out of the stalls, he fell on his knees at the start, so he bled a little, but now he’s okay,” said Guarnieri.

“The ground was also a bit too firm. I hope his next run will be Ascot (Queen Anne) and he’s training well.”



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Big Rock team will regroup after Lockinge conditions go against QEII winner

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Maurizio Guarnieri was left to bemoan conditions at Newbury after Big Rock failed to deliver a blow on his debut for the trainer in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes.

The son of Rock Of Gibraltar was the highest-rated miler in the world last season when trained by Christopher Head, but owners Yeguada Centurion SL made the decision to switch the colt for this season to Guarnieri.

Having chased home Ace Impact in the Prix du Jockey Club, he dropped back to a mile to finish second in some high-class events last season before ending 2023 with an emphatic display in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

That six-length success came on rain-softened ground on British Champions Day, and Chantilly-based Italian Guarnieri was dreaming of similar when he looked at the weather forecasts ahead of Big Rock’s latest UK raid.

But the anticipated rainfall never materialised for the strapping four-year-old, as the 11-4 second-favourite could only finish sixth, beaten 15 lengths behind shock winner Audience.

Guarnieri said: “We know that the ground is a real problem and if he had the ground OK for him, after 210 days off then he would have been OK.

“But this is a Group One and against horses with one or two races and it is not so easy and with today’s conditions it felt like the world was against us.

“The horse didn’t show what he can do in heavy and soft ground, he didn’t change his speed and normally the others are three and four lengths behind, but today he just stayed at the same pace.”

Big Rock holds an entry in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot where he would have the chance to recreate his QEII heroics.

However, Guarnieri has warned he would like to see soft in the going description before committing to another visit to Berkshire.

“I think before we decide we need to know the horse is all right and then discuss it with the owner,” continued Guarnieri.

“In my opinion, he could go to Ascot if we get some soft ground which can sometimes happen at Ascot.

“Today we are just unlucky with the weather and he has had 200 days off. The jockey said the horse was just the same all the time and he had no chance in the race.”

Meanwhile, it is full steam ahead to the Royal meeting for the runner-up Charyn after a brave performance in search of an early-season hat-trick.

The son of Dark Angel has been in top form for Roger Varian so far this term, striking at both Doncaster and Sandown before his gallant Newbury second and was shortened to 5-1 joint-favourite for the Queen Anne Stakes by bookmakers Paddy Power.

Varian said: “Hats off to the winner and it is a bittersweet moment for us as he’s ran an absolute blinder and he had to come out of the pack on his own.

“He’s the only one to come out of the pack and make ground on the winner and it was a mighty run in defeat. I think we can be pleased with his performance, if not a touch frustrated with how the race panned out – without taking anything away from the winner.

“It will be Queen Anne all the way as long as he comes out of the race OK and we think the stiff mile at Ascot will suit him well and we’re looking forward to that.”



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Big Rock ready to roll in Lockinge showdown with Inspiral

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It is very much the first day at school for Maurizio Guarnieri as he prepares to saddle Big Rock in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Big Rock was rated the best miler in the world last year when trained by Christopher Head, but Guarnieri only welcomed the four-year-old to his Chantilly stables three weeks ago after owners Yeguada Centurion SL. decided on a switch for the new season.

The French-based Italian admits he is still getting to grips with his new charge, relying on the assistance of the colt’s regular pilot Aurelien Lemaitre to guide him in the right direction.

“I received the horse three weeks ago, so I am just starting to get to know him and he is just starting to get know me,” said Guarnieri.

Big Rock delivered a dominant display at Ascot on Champions Day
Big Rock delivered a dominant display at Ascot on Champions Day (PA)

“He is a nice horse, like a nice man, he is quiet all the time and causes no problems, he is very easy.

“I did a canter with him on the racetrack at Chantilly with a lead horse and his rider Aurelien Lemaitre and he did the minimum, so I’m not sure if he is ready to run and what percent of his potential he is at or not. But his jockey said he is always this way and the horse is always quiet in the morning. A lot of good horses are this way.

“I appreciate having this horse and each day I learn a little bit more about him, but at the moment I do not understand 100 per cent of him.”

Big Rock has finished in the top two in 10 of his 11 career starts and having filled the spot of bridesmaid in races such as the Prix du Jockey Club and Prix du Moulin, finished 2023 with a deserved victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day.

The Rock Of Gibraltar colt relished the rain-softened ground at Ascot that day and Guarnieri is hoping for even more rain at Newbury as he assesses his charge’s big-race credentials.

“He’s in good condition and he’s really good mentally and this race was always the first on his programme so we will run and try,” continued the Italian.

“I think this race is very, very hard and there is not only Inspiral who can win the race. Big Rock has not run since 2023 so there is a lot we don’t know.

“But the jockey knows the horse and has ridden him every time, so there is a big feeling put on them and I hope they can do the best job for me.

“I hope it will start to rain, when it rains it is normally better for us. I’m hoping Big Rock can show his class in this race and I will be doing everything in my power to make him better.

“It’s a new start for both me and the owner and I thank them for the opportunity, we are looking forward to not just this race but also the whole season.”

Inspiral was exceptional at Santa Anita
Inspiral was exceptional at Santa Anita (PA)

In contrast, connections of Inspiral are hoping to see minimal rainfall ahead of her return to action.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old claimed the scalp of Big Rock when defending her Prix Jacques le Marois crown last summer before going on to win both the Sun Chariot Stakes and land a blow over further at the Breeders’ Cup.

However, she has never been at her best when there is cut in the ground and connections will be keeping a close eye on the weather forecasts.

“We hope to run, we’ve declared, we’ll just have to watch the forecast and see what happens,” said Chris Richardson, managing director of owners Cheveley Park Stud, who are also represented by the Gosden-trained Audience in the race.

“She didn’t enjoy soft ground when she ran in the Sussex and it’s still early in the year. We think she’s in good form, but we don’t want to risk her on ground which doesn’t suit as she is unlikely to put her best foot forward.

“She seems to come good in June and maybe that is the way it will work out again. We’d like to get her out earlier if we can, but we’ll see what happens between now and Saturday and see what John decides.

“The two of them (Inspiral and Audience) have been working together for the last few weeks and he is in there to make sure there’s pace in the race.”

John Gosden also has concerns about her draw in stall one: “We’re on wing of the field in one and all the pace is high, so that is a concern. At the moment she runs, but I will obviously be walking the course.”

While Big Rock and Inspiral are making their returns, Roger Varian’s consistent performer Charyn has made hay in the early part of the season, with the versatile son of Dark Angel now back to Group One company in search of a hat-trick.

Varian said: “The rain won’t harm Charyn, but he’s a versatile horse in terms of ground and we won’t mind conditions on Saturday. It’s a nice position to be in when you are not sweating on the weather and he is in good form.

Charyn has been in top form this term
Charyn has been in top form this term (John Walton/PA)

“Although he didn’t win last year, on three or four of his performances, he only had to repeat that level to win the two races he has done so far. He wasn’t facing Paddington in his last two starts.

“His fourth in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, his third in both the St James’s Palace and the Sussex Stakes, all of those performances I think were good enough to do what he has done so far at Doncaster and Sandown.

“With that said, I was very impressed with him at Sandown and he was very powerful through the line. He will have to do more to win the Lockinge, but he goes there as one of the frontrunners in the market and deservedly so, and it is exciting.”

Charyn impressed when coming through the pack strongly to win the bet365 Mile at Sandown, with Ed and Simon Crisford’s Poker Face back in second and now looking to turn the tables.

The race also sees the return of last year’s 2000 Guineas third Royal Scotsman for Paul and Oliver Cole, while Karl Burke’s Flight Plan finished last season in the winner’s enclosure and is another dipping his toe into deeper waters.



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Inspiral poised for clash with Big Rock at Newbury

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Star mare Inspiral is firmly on course to make her eagerly-awaited return at Newbury as she heads the 11 confirmations for Saturday’s Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes.

Victory in last year’s Prix Jacques le Marois ensured the John and Thady Gosden-trained mare was a Group One winner at two, three and four and having added the Sun Chariot Stakes against her own sex, she brought her season to a close in stunning fashion at the Breeders’ Cup.

That Santa Anita success over 10 furlongs gives connections plenty of options for the new season, but she is poised to start over the tried-and-tested mile route, where she could renew rivalry with Queen Elizabeth II Stakes hero Big Rock, who is now with Maurizio Guarnieri after moving from Christopher Head.

“Inspiral is in good form, I’m pleased with her going into her first run back,” said John Gosden.

“The plan is to run her in the Lockinge, it’s a good starting point.”

Roger Varian’s Charyn will step up to Group One level for the first time this year after impressive wins at both Doncaster and Sandown, while the Gosdens and Cheveley Park are also represented by Audience.

Royal Scotsman was seen just the twice after placing in last year’s 2000 Guineas and having recovered from some injury setbacks, Paul and Oliver Cole’s stable star is ready to make his comeback from a 300-plus day absence.

“He’s all set for the Lockinge and is in good form,” said Oliver Cole.

Big Rock was a sensational winner of the QEII
Big Rock was a sensational winner of the QEII (John Walton/PA)

“We couldn’t be happier with him at this stage. He got bone bruising and now he’s fine, that was the reason we stopped (last year). He never went forward in Ireland and he never went forward at Ascot and hopefully he will go forward on Saturday. He’s a very, very good horse, so fingers crossed.”

Flight Plan gets his Group One chance, having been a Group Two winner on Irish Champions Weekend last season for trainer Karl Burke, while Saeed bin Suroor has left in Real World, who was second to the brilliant Baaeed in this race two years ago.

Dear My Friend (Charlie Johnston), Hi Royal (Kevin Ryan), Poker Face (Simon and Ed Crisford) and Witch Hunter (Richard Hannon) complete the list of possibles.



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Classic ambitions at a mile for star filly Ramatuelle this season

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Christopher Head has raised the possibility of Ramatuelle running in the Qipco 1000 Guineas, as connections seek to plot a mile campaign this summer.

Co-owned by former NBA star Tony Parker, Ramatuelle sports black and silver silks based on his former championship-winning team the San Antonio Spurs and made a serious impression on course at two.

The high-class daughter of Justify won three of her five appearances as a juvenile, including the Group Two Prix Robert Papin, before finishing her campaign going down by the barest of margins to star colt Vandeek in the Prix Morny.

Plans for Ramatuelle’s early-season target are still to be finalised and as well as a possible raid on Newmarket, she holds an entry for the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches the trainer won with Blue Rose Cen in 2023.

But Head will begin testing her Classic credentials at Deauville on April 9 and having seen dual Classic-winning filly Blue Rose Cen switched to Maurizio Guarnieri earlier this year, will be hoping Ramatuelle can fill the void and become another household name for his Chantilly operation.

He said: “Ramatuelle has been a tremendous filly for us as a two-year-old and we are now preparing her for pretty much the mile programme in France, but not only in France, in the UK too.

“We’re looking all over Europe to make the best programme for her as a three-year-old. It (Newmarket) is of course a possibility, but at the end of the day her owner will decide where she will run and of course there is a possibility she could go for that race.

“She’s going to go to the Prix Imprudence and then from there we will see where we go. To be a successful miler is the main objective this year.

“I think Ramatuelle is a really nice filly and Justify has proven he can sire very versatile horses. I’m very happy to have her at three and can’t wait to see what she is going to do for us in the mile races this year.”

Owners Yeguada Centurion may have switched Blue Rose Cen, but their Group One-winning colt Big Rock remains in Head’s care and is being geared up for another enterprising programme.

Big Rock after winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot
Big Rock after winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

He was last seen recording a brilliant victory from the front in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day and his handler is excited by the possibility of returning to the UK in search of further riches during the 2024 season.

“Big Rock is brilliant and has done very well over the winter,” continued Head.

“He will have a nice programme in Europe and we will be able to come over to the UK again.

“I will speak with the owners before saying anything about where he is going to start, but don’t worry the horse is doing very well and we’re very happy with his training. We can’t wait to see him back on track.”



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Big Rock rolls to brilliant Queen Elizabeth II Stakes success

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There was yet another victory for France in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot as Big Rock delivered a devastating display on Qipco British Champions Day.

Often the bridesmaid when racing at the highest level this year, the son of Rock Of Gibraltar had finished second in the Prix du Jockey Club, Prix Jacques le Marois and Prix du Moulin in his last three starts.

However, Christopher Head’s brilliant colt finally got his moment in the spotlight, making every yard in the one-mile Group One feature.

Immediately taking his customary position at the head of proceedings, his rivals were left chasing shadows as big-race jockey Aurelien Lemaitre kept upping the tempo.

Having built up a healthy lead, it was Dermot Weld’s Tahiyra who decided to break cover from the pack first, with Chris Hayes setting the Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine in pursuit.

But there was no catching Big Rock (5-1) who kept on galloping in the rain-softened ground to register an emphatic six-length success and also lead home a French one-two, as Jerome Reynier’s Facteur Cheval stayed on past a tiring Tahiyra in the dying strides to grab the silver medal.

Short-priced favourite Paddington beat only two home, one of those being 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean.

Aurelien Lemaitre thrilled in victory with Big Rock
Aurelien Lemaitre thrilled in victory with Big Rock (John Walton/PA)

“That was tremendous! Big Rock always does this, it’s crazy. What a horse, what a season. He does very well on that type of ground but that was quite impressive, very impressive, what a horse,” said a jubilant Head.

“You’re always a bit scared that the race is going to close in on you, but we’ve known him for the whole season and he’s always been like this. It’s very nice to see him winning this race because it was one of the best mile (races) in Europe.

“I’m very happy for the owner, he’s the breeder. I’m very happy, this is such a nice place to win.”

Weld, meanwhile, was proud of Tahiyra’s effort in defeat.

“She’s run a brilliant race, we’re delighted with her, it was just the conditions on the mile were very testing and she didn’t really handle the ground. She tries so hard, she’s a brilliant filly,” he said.

A big pat for Big Rock!
A big pat for Big Rock! (John Walton/PA)

“She has that will to win, someone had to go after the horse in front and she said she would!

“I suppose all the riders thought the one in front couldn’t keep going, but Chris said after two furlongs everything was off the bridle, it wasn’t as if they were all sitting waiting.

“Chris felt he had to go after him and it’s always very difficult when you are the one leading the pack, it’s like in cycling, it leaves you open to be caught from those in behind.

“We’ll see how she comes out of the race and then we’ll make a decision if she comes back next year.”

Hayes added: “It was an unusual race, he had us all under pressure – he set a very tempo on very testing ground. I’m very proud of my filly – on ground she hated, she wouldn’t accept defeat, she kept trying to the line.

“Hopefully she’s there next year; she’s a remarkable filly.”

Paddington failed to fire on his return
Paddington failed to fire on his return (David Davies/PA)

Aidan O’Brien’s multiple Group One winner Paddington was sent off the 7-4 market leader but was beaten 35 lengths by the winner.

However, the Ballydoyle handler felt the colt had a “legitimate excuse” on what was his first start in 59 days.

O’Brien said: “He might have been a bit fresh. He jumped (out the stalls) and locked on with Ryan (Moore) and he doesn’t usually do that. He was a shade slow, but when he jumped, he just grabbed the bit and wouldn’t let it go. He didn’t let it go for the first half of the race and in that ground, you can’t do that.

“It’s a good while since he ran and he is definitely going to improve on the run. I would be very happy, it’s a very legitimate excuse for me.

“The lads will have to decide now if go again with him and go to the Breeders’ Cup or if we leave him at that. He obviously doesn’t have anything to prove to anybody.”



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No Breeders’ Cup challenge for Blue Rose Cen

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There will be no Breeders’ Cup for Blue Rose Cen following her dazzling triumph in the Prix de l’Opera – but Christopher Head’s star filly will stay in training as a four-year-old.

The daughter of Churchill has led her handler’s charge to the upper echelons of the training ranks in France and having provided Head with a first Group One success in the Marcel Boussac last year, has gone on to become one of the leading fillies of her generation.

She became a dual Classic winner earlier in the spring when following up her ready Poule d’Essai des Pouliches victory with a breathtaking display in the Prix de Diane and although defeats followed both on the road at Goodwood and when tried over a mile and a half in the Prix Vermeille, she roared back to her best on Arc day to secure her third Group One of the campaign.

A trip to Santa Anita had been mooted as a possible finale for her season, but Blue Rose Cen will now enjoy a well-deserved break, with her trainer delighted owners Yeguada Centurion SL have decided she will race on next year.

“We have finished for the season with Blue Rose Cen, she has been sent for vacation and she will be coming back to the stables ahead of next season,” said Head.

“It’s brilliant and delightful to have her at four and I’m sure the next stage of her career at four will be very interesting.

“She has had a very good season and everything was perfect. We tried Goodwood and we tried her over a longer distance and we are now pretty much aware of what she is capable of doing, so next year I think we will have a very nice season. We have a very nice programme for her with some races in England, too.”

Blue Rose Cen claimed the Prix de l'Opera on Arc day
Blue Rose Cen claimed the Prix de l’Opera on Arc day (PA)

Having won four of her six big-race assignments this term Head can look back in pride at some of the her phenomenal achievements, including a four-length demolition in the French Oaks and proving her doubters wrong following two defeats at ParisLongchamp in the Opera.

Head added: “Of course the Prix de Diane was just enormous. What she did into the Prix de Diane was incredible as well and of course seeing her back in the Prix de l’Opera was brilliant too, as everyone was saying she had had a hard season and she showed that it was not finished for her.”

Meanwhile, Blue Rose Cen’s stablemate Big Rock is fully on course to try to break his duck at the highest level in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Qipco British Champions Day.

Christopher Head trains both Blue Rose Cen and Big Rock
Christopher Head trains both Blue Rose Cen and Big Rock (Andrew Matthews/PA)

The Rock Of Gibraltar colt, who also carries the colours of Yeguada Centurion SL, has been hitting the crossbar in a plethora of Group One assignments since handing Champion Stakes favourite Horizon Dore a five-length beating earlier in the season and Head is eager to see him gain a deserved first top-level success.

“Big Rock is a really brilliant horse and has been brilliant all season,” he continued.

“He has been beaten by some good horses throughout the season and I’m a bit sad to see him not win a Group One yet.

“We are looking forward to the QEII to try to win his first Group One.”



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Big Rock on course for QEII date at Ascot

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Christopher Head’s Big Rock will head to British shores for the first time to contest the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot.

The colt racked up a four-race winning streak earlier in the year that carried him from an all-weather handicap to victory in the Group Three Prix de Guiche.

That run then paved the way to the Group One Prix du Jockey Club, where he was beaten three and half lengths behind the well-fancied Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe contender Ace Impact.

Two more second-placed runs followed as Big Rock dropped back to a mile, finishing behind Inspiral in the Prix Jacques le Marois and Sauterne in the Prix du Moulin.

Now Big Rock could make his first start outside of France in the Group One QEII on October 21.

“He’s doing fine, he came out of the Prix du Moulin very well and he’s aiming for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes,” Head said.

“He has done some very nice work and everything’s all right, he’s a horse that has needed a bit of time between races and I’m very happy to have had that kind of break between the Moulin at Longchamp and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

“We have him back fresh and everything, so I think he will be more than interesting for his next race.

“Heavy ground is not a problem, whatever the ground does, it is not a problem for him.”

One horse from the Head stable that will not be seen again this term is Ramatuelle, a two-year-old filly by Justify who has enjoyed a highly successful juvenile campaign.

The chestnut has won three of her five runs this season and was the runner-up both times when beaten, with her successes including the Group Three Prix du Bois and the Group Two Prix Robert Papin.

Most recently she was defeated in the Prix Morny, a Group One in which she went down by just a short neck to the highly-regarded Vandeek.

That run was the last of the year for Ramatuelle, who will return for her three-year-old campaign in 2024.

“The owners have decided that she has had a very nice two-year-old season and they want to have a 100 per cent chance with her at three,” Head explained.

“They have decided not to run her again this season, she will be back next year in spring.”



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Head waiting on luck to change for gallant Big Rock

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Christopher Head was left feeling frustrated having seen Big Rock collect another big-race silver medal in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.

The talented son of Rock Of Gibralter strung together a four-race winning sequence earlier in the campaign that included a five-length defeat of Champion Stakes-bound Horizon Dore at Chantilly in May.

However, the colt’s successful run came to an end when second to Arc favourite Ace Impact in the Prix du Jockey Club.

He has since dropped back down to a mile, but has again had to settle for the runner-up spot, firstly when bumping into an in-form Inspiral in the Jacques le Marois and then when passed late on by the fast-finishing Sauterne at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

“He’s very consistent with his performance and is always improving a little bit,” said Head.

“But we have a hard time of course against a horse with a certain turn of foot being on our back and we are always vulnerable to that kind of strategy.

“It is a bit frustrating because he is really worthy of getting a Group One win but he is just missing out for now.”

If connections continue to persevere at the mile distance, Big Rock could be seen at Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day where he holds an entry for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

However, Head stressed the team are in no rush to make their next move, with the colt’s versatility meaning all options remain on the table.

“I need to speak with Yeguada Centurion (owners) and we will go wherever they want me to go,” continued Head.

“I think he’s pretty versatile and can do pretty much whatever we want and we can adjust strategy accordingly.

“It’s still an option (Ascot) of course and we are considering all options, but it is a bit early to say right now. We would be more than honoured to go there as they are really important races for not just horses but also trainers and owners, it’s a pretty impressive place.”

Blue Rose Cen following her run at Goodwood
Blue Rose Cen following her run at Goodwood (Molly Hunter/PA)

There is another big weekend on the horizon for both Head and owners Yeguada Centurion as Blue Rose Cen heads to the Prix Vermeille to put her Arc aspirations to the test.

The three-year-old has been the star of Head’s rise up the training ranks, while he also has another high-class proposition waiting in the wings in Ramatuelle.

The daughter of Justify, whose owners include former NBA star Tony Parker, has won three of her five career starts and having been narrowly denied by Vandeek in the Prix Morny has options in both England and America for her next outing.

Head continued: “She is doing fine and everything is OK. We still have both options available for the end of the season – there is the Cheveley Park Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup too – and we are just waiting a little bit to be sure what the owner is wanting to do.”

A trip to Newmarket on September 30 would see Ramatuelle continue to ply her trade over six furlongs.

However, a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in Santa Anita would see the precocious youngster step up to a mile, with her handler intrigued to see how she gets on when they stretch the elastic of her stamina.

He added: “There is always the possibility that the filly will stay at three so at some point there will be probably be progression to the distances she is likely to encounter.

“It is very interesting and we can’t wait to try this and see what her limits are.”



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Facteur Cheval aiming to make Moulin impact

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Brave Sussex Stakes runner-up Facteur Cheval will be seeking big-race compensation on home soil in the Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

Jerome Reynier’s ultra-consistent performer is yet to finish outside the first three in four outings this term, beaten less than two lengths on each occasion.

He finished a valiant second to Aidan O’Brien’s Paddington at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, with the four-year-old beaten a length and a half after a less than ideal passage/

Now connections are hoping that mammoth effort on the Sussex Downs has not left a mark as they go in search of an elusive Group One triumph in a race that that also includes Prix du Jockey Club and Jacques le Marois runner-up Big Rock.

Trainer Jerome Reynier and Facteur Cheval at Goodwood
Trainer Jerome Reynier and Facteur Cheval at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“We’re looking forward to it but I’m a little bit nervous because he had a very hard race last time, plus he had a trip,” said Barry Irwin, CEO of Team Valor, who own the horse in partnership with Gary Barber.

“Even though it’s back in four and a half weeks which sounds like a reasonable amount of time, in the back of my mind I’m hoping he doesn’t react to that last race, it certainly knocked out Paddington.

“He is facing a pretty darn good horse in Big Rock. We have a very big, strong horse and Mickael Barzalona is going to get on him this time. We are hopeful for a good race because Big Rock likes to go off in front and we need to have a target. The races where he hasn’t ran quite up to scratch this year are when he got too far behind in a paceless race.”

A bold showing for Facteur Cheval in Paris this weekend could tee up a potential Qipco British Champions Day rematch with his Goodwood conqueror Paddington in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot later in the autumn.

Facteur Cheval (left) could set up a rematch with Paddington (right) with a strong showing at ParisLongchamp
Facteur Cheval (left) could set up a rematch with Paddington (right) with a strong showing at ParisLongchamp (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Irwin added: “I’m planning on coming over for the Queen Elizabeth and I see Paddington might run in that one as well, so that would be a hell of a contest.

“Both horses love it soft to heavy and at that time of year you might get a racetrack like that. That will be a good contest and the layout of that straight course at Ascot, going uphill, favours a miler that has got stamina and can go at least another furlong, which we have proved that we can do and it could be a pretty exciting contest.”

Remarkably, Christopher Head’s Big Rock is also seeking his first top-level success and is another to bring some high-class form to the table.

He finished second when sent off favourite for his last two big-race assignments and with connections persevering with the one-mile distance, they will hope to see the Rock Of Gibraltar colt regain a winning thread which saw him string together four impressive victories earlier in the campaign.

Christopher Head (centre) will saddle Big Rock in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp
Christopher Head (centre) will saddle Big Rock in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Jean-Claude Rouget’s Erevann is without a victory since winning last year’s Prix Daniel Wildenstein, but is a proven Group-level performer and will have the chance to emulate his dam Ervedya who struck gold in this for connections in 2015.

Patrice Cottier’s Sauterne has placed in both the Prix Jean Prat and Prix Rothschild recently following defeat at the hands of Kelina in Chantilly’s Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly prior to that.

Both are well worth their place in the field, with the latter having the chance to add to trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias’ 2018 triumph in the contest.

Andre Fabre is also no stranger to success in this event and will saddle Group One-winning juvenile Belbek, while Yann Barberot’s hat-trick-seeking Fast Raaj and Fabrice Chappet’s Topgear complete the line-up.



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Big Rock ready to roll in Prix Jacques le Marois

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Big Rock will bid for Group One glory in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday.

The Christopher Head-trained Rock Of Gibraltar colt has had a superb season so far, starting off with a wide-margin handicap success before progressing up the levels in a three-race winning streak.

The first leg of the hat-trick was the Listed Prix Maurice Caillault, which he won by four and a half lengths, after which he took in the Group Three Prix la Force and was a comfortable winner again.

At the same level he landed the Prix de Guiche by an unchallenged three lengths and the following month he stepped up to an extended 10 furlongs for the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, running a huge race from the front before Arc favourite Ace Impact ran him down.

Another big-race tilt now awaits for the three-year-old, back to a mile against the likes of Kevin Ryan’s Queen Anne winner Triple Time.

“He’s going to run on Sunday at Deauville, everything is all right with him,” said Head.

“He is in good form and we are pretty optimistic about his run in the Jacques le Marois.

“He has been working well and we are looking forward to having another Group One run with him.

“He takes his racing very well and is a very nice horse.”



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Head proud of Big Rock despite Prix du Jockey Club defeat

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Connections of Big Rock will be in no rush to take on Ace Impact again after he was caught in the latter stages of the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Sunday.

Ace Impact came from way off the pace to take the Group One laurels with a scintillating burst of speed, which resulted in a new track record over the extended 10 furlongs.

Big Rock was sent off favourite on the strength of four unbeaten starts since joining trainer Christopher Head. Those victories included a Listed success and a pair of Group Three contests.

Having made much of the running under Aurelien Lemaitre, Big Rock looked to have the race in safe keeping with a furlong to race, but had no answer as Cristian Demuro’s mount swept past and went on to record a three-and-a-half-length success.

While defeat may have been bitter-sweet, Head was far from despondent at the Rock Of Gibraltar colt’s first run beyond an extended nine furlongs.

“I am very happy, because the horse has come a long way,” said the handler.

“He has won a bunch of races already and it is possible he gets beaten by good horses in the Jockey Club. In terms of the (front-running) strategy, it was pretty straightforward.

“Of course you can be vulnerable when you are trying to go a longer distance with that strategy.

“It’s fair enough. I’m very happy. If it wasn’t for the horse who beat us, we would have won the Jockey Club by four lengths and everybody would be amazed.

“The jockey did everything right. He kicked at the right time and I thought we had it won.

“When I saw that horse (win) from so far back, you have to think it is probably a very top-class horse, one we are probably not going to encounter again.

“The track record was broken and certainly they are two good horses. Usually we don’t have that kind of pace and usually you don’t get to see the true quality of the horses. I’m pretty happy with that result.”

Head has not ruled out the possibility Big Rock will cross the Channel at some point, although it is unlikely he will be seen at trips beyond 10 furlongs again.

He added: “We still have to discuss with the owner where we go and there are a few nice options.

“Pretty much we are going to try to put him over a mile or 2000 metres (10 furlongs), but we will see. That will probably be the top of his distance, I would think.

“It is a possibility you will see him in Britain. I have a few options with a few races back there and it would be nice.”

Meanwhile, Blue Rose Cen, who gave the trainer a breakthrough Classic success in the French 1,000 Guineas, will bid to secure another when she heads for the French Oaks at Chantilly on Sunday week.

“She is doing very well and we are heading for the Prix de Diane,” added Head. “She is beautiful and came out of the race well.

“She is really a wonderful filly, as she has been a very nice two-year-old and now it seems she is capable of winning both the French Guineas and probably the Oaks.

“I don’t see the limit of her and we will see after that race what we do about her programme for the next part of the season.

“She looks very stable and that’s what we want. I’m very happy with her.”



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