Tag Archive for: Deauville

My Cloud makes eagerly-awaited return at Deauville

/in /by

My Cloud puts his growing reputation on the line when he heads to Deauville for the Barriere Prix Quincey on Saturday.

Roger Varian’s four-year-old made it four wins on the bounce when landing the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. Held in the highest regard by connections, with an entry for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes later in the season, he faces the acid test of his big-race credentials in France.

“He’s a nice horse and a horse we’re very excited about moving forward through the autumn and also looking ahead to next year,” said Varian.

“It’s a Group Three and I’m delighted with how he’s training and looking forward to seeing how he gets on.”

Connections have had to remain patient since the son of Blue Point struck at the Royal meeting in June, but they are taking encouragement from some of the season’s other stars that My Cloud can take the required next step in his career.

Varian explained: “We never mind waiting if there is a reason to wait, you can’t get too frustrated and he’s a horse with a big future who will be very important for us – if we could have run since Ascot we would have done.

“I think he will take us to some nice races, he has a huge engine and we’ve seen the likes of More Thunder and Never So Brave start off in handicaps before moving on to bigger things this season.

“William Haggas’ horse (More Thunder) all but won the Wokingham and Andrew Balding’s (Never So Brave) won the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot and they have both gone on and proven themselves in Pattern company. Hopefully My Cloud can follow their lead, starting at Deauville on Saturday.”

Kevin Ryan’s Volterra, the Charlie Hills-trained Cicero’s Gift and David Menuisier’s Devil’s Point are other British-trained hopefuls in the Group Three event, while Menuisier will also be represented on the card by Sunway in the Lucien Barriere Grand Prix de Deauville.

The Group Two is also the next step for Henri-Francois Devin’s Derby fourth New Ground, who was last seen finishing third in the Grand Prix de Paris.

Barry Mahon, racing manager for owners Juddmonte, said: “It’s a nice opportunity, with not many runners. He’s been in Deauville for the last week and has settled into the environment well and seems to be enjoying himself.

“It’s a nice opportunity for him to stake his claim and tell us whether he’s ready for something big in the autumn or not. He’ll need to settle a bit better than he has on his last couple of starts and a small field in Deauville should give him an opportunity to do that.”

The other Pattern-race action on the card is the Group Three Barriere Prix de Meautry where Ed Walker’s Balmoral Lady and George Boughey’s Pontefract Listed Winner Rosy Affair represent the British raiders.

Wesley Ward: Keep the faith with Outfielder

/in /by

Wesley Ward remains optimistic for the future with Outfielder following his fourth-place finish in the Prix Morny at Deauville.

The Speightstown colt created a huge impression when scorching clear on his Churchill Downs debut and while a minor setback put paid to a planned appearance at Royal Ascot, he belatedly travelled to Europe for a Group One contest his American trainer has won on three previous occasions.

After becoming restless in the stalls, leading to him being removed and reloaded, Outfielder slightly missed the break, but soon recovered to lead the six-strong field before faltering late on.

“It was certainly the toughest Morny I’ve ever been in as far as the competition goes,” said Ward.

“He was a little fractious in the gate. We asked to load him late, but they denied us, so we had to go in in post-position order and he reared up and got his foot caught on the side of the gate, according to David Egan.

“David had them back him out, which was good, and maybe he got his composure back when he went back in, but then he broke a tad slow. The good thing is he wasn’t impeded by the horses on either side of him, so in the next couple of strides he got himself back together and off he went.”

Outfielder was certainly not disgraced in being beaten less than three lengths by the unbeaten Venetian Sun, with Coventry Stakes hero Gstaad second and runaway Rose Bowl winner Wise Approach third.

Ward was pleased with the performance of his youngster given he lacked the experience of his rivals.

He added: “It was such a tough race and I was proud of the way he fought on, there were just three horses better than him, but he ran a good race considering he’d only had one run whereas the others had had multiple runs.

“Given he hadn’t had another start since his maiden and this was also his first time out of Kentucky, the others had a little bit of an experience edge on him, so I was proud he didn’t throw in the towel and he was only beaten a couple of lengths by the toughest two-year-olds in Europe.

“It was very sporting of my partners Kia (Joorabchian) and Jayson Werth to take them on as you really don’t know who you’re taking on until you’re there and we would certainly have liked a prep run going into it but we didn’t have time for one.

“He certainly gave a good account of himself, he ran a valiant race I think and he’s now back in the States, so we’ll get him home and have a meeting with the owners and my partners and make a new plan.”

The Washington-based trainer is unsure what the rest of the year has in store for Outfielder, but did raise the possibility of him being stepped up in distance at some stage.

He said: “There’s a little bit of unknown with this guy. I originally never intended to run him early in the year, but when we started breezing him in April he had some eye-opening breezes and instead of continuing to work him we put him in a race and he bounded away from them, as everyone knows.

“But really, if you look at him, you’d think he’d want to go around two turns here in America, so we’ll just see how he is after this big effort and make a new plan. Whether that be sprinting or whether that means stretching out (in trip) a little bit, I’m sure he’ll tell us with his morning breezes.”

Venetian Sun shines against the colts in Prix Morny

/in /by

Karl Burke was left in awe of Venetian Sun’s brilliance as the filly saw off the colts to remain unbeaten in a star-studded Sumbe Prix Morny at Deauville.

Owned by Brighton & Hove Albion’s Tony Bloom along with Ian McAleavy, the daughter of Starman was the only filly in the six-strong line-up, as she ventured to France in a bid to add to her Royal Ascot victory in the Albany Stakes and Duchess of Cambridge triumph at Newmarket.

American raider Outfielder set the early fractions seeking to give Wesley Ward a fourth win in the race, but as that rival checked out with a furlong to run, Clifford Lee was beginning to make his challenge aboard Venetian Sun who had travelled smoothly in the slipstream of Aidan O’Brien’s Coventry Stakes hero Gstaad.

Charlie Appleby’s Wise Approach was another to make late progress but Venetian Sun was ultimately too tough to crack for her high-class rivals as she showcased her electric turn of foot once again to raise her reputation to yet another level and give her big-race pilot a first winner in elite company.

It was the second time Burke has tasted success in the six-furlong Group One after Unfortunately landed the spoils in 2017 and his second big winner of the summer at Deauville after Fallen Angel’s Prix Rothschild success.

Burke said: “That was absolutely brilliant, unbelievable, she’s a superstar filly. I’ve been saying for a while she’s a special filly and I think she has proven that today.

“The whole race went exactly how we thought and hoped it would and Cliff got her in a lovely rhythm. She’s so relaxed and once she’s in behind she falls asleep and then she’s got that electric turn of foot.

“It’s a first Group One for Clifford, he probably should have won the German Derby last month but just missed out so I’m delighted for him as well.

Clifford Lee aboard Venetian Sun at Royal Ascot
Clifford Lee aboard Venetian Sun at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“I’ve been very lucky to train a lot of good fillies like Quiet Reflection, then Laurens and Fallen Angel, but at this stage of her career she would be way ahead of them.

“She’s doing things on the gallops at home that a two-year-old filly should not be doing and then she goes and keeps winning as well.”

Venetian Sun was made Coral’s 6-1 favourite for next year’s 1000 Guineas on the back of her triumph in France and will now put Classic aspirations to the test when stepping up to seven furlongs in the Curragh’s Moyglare Stud Stakes on September 14 – a race the Spigot Lodge handler won with Fallen Angel two years ago.

Burke added: “Hopefully she can come out of this well and we can go to the Moyglare and then we will know if we can make a plan for running over seven furlongs or further for next year.

“I would be amazed if she doesn’t get the seven furlongs well and to be honest I’ve always thought she would be better over seven furlongs.”

Morny magic on the cards from Gstaad and company

/in /by

Coventry Stakes winner Gstaad is Aidan O’Brien’s chosen representative as he goes in search of a sixth victory in what looks a mouthwatering edition of the Sumbe Prix Morny on Sunday.

Johannesburg (2001), Blackbeard (2022) and Whistlejacket (2024) are the Ballydoyle handler’s last three winners of the juvenile Group One at Deauville and in Gstaad he saddles another leading contender.

The Starspangledbanner colt got the better of his top-class stablemate True Love when making a winning debut at Navan in May and followed up with a dominant victory at Royal Ascot the following month.

Having since missed a planned rematch with True Love in the Phoenix Stakes, Gstaad has been rerouted to France and O’Brien said: “All has been good with him so far after he had to miss the Phoenix.

“I don’t think the ground matters to him, it was beautiful ground at Deauville last week anyway so that would suit him.

“He’s been good and I think there’s improvement in him since the Coventry.”

Gstaad renews rivalry with the Clive Cox-trained Coppull, who was just over three lengths behind when third in the Coventry and has since impressed in winning the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

Cox said: “We were thrilled with his success in the Richmond and he’s pleased me since.

“I think it was very much a step forward with more experience at Goodwood and I think the track was more able to showcase his ability.

“I’m very pleased he’s in great nick for Sunday, fingers crossed the ground will be fine and I’m very much looking forward to it.”

The only filly in the six-strong field is Venetian Sun, who since making a successful start to her career at Carlisle has landed the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket, beating Thursday’s Lowther Stakes winner Royal Fixation on the latter occasion.

Trainer Karl Burke said: “I’m looking forward to it. She’s travelled over there and as long as she gets in the paddock in the shape she left I’ll be very happy.

“She’s in great form and obviously her form is rock solid. Her form all along has been franked and apart from True Love, who blotted her copybook in the Phoenix the other day, she probably has the best juvenile filly form going so far this season.

“We think she goes there with a big chance and we’ll see how good she is.”

Further strength in depth is added by Charlie Appleby’s Wise Approach, who was second to O’Brien’s Charles Darwin in the Norfolk Stakes at the Royal meeting before routing the opposition in Newbury’s Rose Bowl in mid-July.

Speaking on the Godolphin website, Appleby said: “Wise Approach was impressive on his last performance. He needs to step up again in this company, but we feel he has the ability.

“The style of race and track at Deauville should suit and hopefully he gets a nice, sound surface. It is a strong field and a great race to participate in.”

Meanwhile, American raider Outfielder bids to provide Wesley Ward with his fourth Morny success, with jockey David Egan thrilled to be aboard the exciting youngster as retained rider for Amo Racing, who own the Speightstown colt together with former MLB star Jayson Werth and Ward himself.

“Yeah (I’m excited),” Egan said. “I sat on him the other morning, feels great and can’t wait.

“He was meant to race at Royal Ascot so it’s been a long time coming.

“He’s won a maiden so he’s got to step up big, but he’s the type of horse that Wesley knows what he’s doing, he’s prepared well, travelled over good, looks a picture and goes there in great form, so fingers crossed he’s good enough.”

There is one sole French-trained runner in the race with Henri-Francois Devin’s Imperial Me Cen.

Diego Velazquez strikes Group One gold for new owners

/in /by

Diego Velazquez held off a late charge from Notable Speech to come out on top in the Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt was recently purchased by Sam Sangster and was running for the first time in the family’s famous silks under Christophe Soumillon.

The bay was running alongside stablemate The Lion In Winter in the Group One, who was joined by Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini in making much of the running throughout the one-mile trip.

Diego Velazquez was always travelling well on the outside, however, and threw down his challenge in the final stages to see off a rapid finish on the inner rail from Charlie Appleby’s Notable Speech, who was beaten just a head. Dancing Gemini was a further three-quarters of a length back in third.

The winning trainer said: “This is a breeding operation that produces very good two- and three-year-olds. He’s a superb model, a willing horse, his last run was very good and he really came to himself last week.”

Diego Velazquez’s last run was in the Minstrel Stakes, named in honour of the late Robert Sangster’s dual Derby winner who ran in the same colours carried to success at Deauville on behalf of his son.

Of that synchronicity, O’Brien added: “The Minstrel Stakes has often proved an excellent stepping stone – it’s a sharp 1,400 metres, and you need to be sharp.

“If you think about Ballydoyle’s history, and the history of these colours with horses like The Minstrel, who could have imagined that we would have a horse running in Mr Sangster’s silks? It’s just incredible, and I’m so delighted for Sam – truly thrilled.

“We thought he might be a horse for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Keeneland and then possibly the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He loves fast ground and he’s quick.

“A lot of money has been spent this week on his stallion career. But sometimes money isn’t what matters. What they achieved today – you can’t buy that, those are memories.”

An emotional Sangster was thrilled at his new acquisition’s success, telling Sky Sports Racing: “It means a lot, we’re so lucky.

“MV (Magnier, former co-owner) is one of my oldest and greatest friends and when I came to him with the presentation of buying the horse to stand at the National Stud, he was fully supportive.

“We were lucky to buy him and we’re even luckier now, that’s for sure!

“He’s an absolutely gorgeous horse, he’s so tough, so genuine. He’s a phenomenal mover and to be honest, when he came out of his box you could already see him at the stallion barn at the National Stud.

“I’m a little lost for words to be honest, but I’m so delighted. He deserved to get that Group One today and I’m just so delighted to be involved with him.”

Notable Speech posted his best effort so far this year
Notable Speech posted his best effort so far this year (Joe Giddens/PA)

Despite defeat Charlie Appleby was still pleased with Notable Speech, who returned to form to an extent having failed to hit the heights of his three-year-old career so far this term.

He said: “We’re delighted with how the horse ran. Of course it’s frustrating to be beaten by so little, but the most important thing is to see him back to his best. The mile is his optimum trip. We tried dropping him back last time – sometimes you need to experiment.

“We’ll probably go to Canada for the Woodbine Mile, and then head to the Breeders’ Cup.”

Roger Teal, trainer of Dancing Gemini, said: “He really ran exceptionally well. The ground was probably a bit too quick, and perhaps he didn’t fully settle in the last 100 metres. It was still a top-class performance.

“Once again he showed huge ability, and a Group One win will come soon. He’s also entered at Ascot but first we’ll go to ParisLongchamp for the Prix du Moulin.

“We’re hoping to find slightly easier going, that’s the next target. He doesn’t need it heavy but just ground with a bit more give.”

Dancing Gemini all set to bounce back in Prix Jacques le Marois

/in /by

Dancing Gemini is continuing on the path that was laced with gold for Charyn last season when he attempts to recreate his early season heroics in the the Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois.

After laying down an early-season marker with impressive wins at Doncaster and Sandown, momentum has been checked slightly for Roger Teal’s stable star with a narrow defeat in the Lockinge followed by a disappointing showing at Royal Ascot.

However, given plenty of time to recover since the Queen Anne Stakes, Teal is confident of a revival at Deauville where he will recommence rivalries with what are becoming familiar faces.

Teal said: “He travelled over on Thursday and he had a little hack canter around the track on Friday morning. He was quite perky apparently, so all is good.

“It was just a farce of a pace at Ascot and if you take that run out of it he’s bang there, isn’t he?

“There’s a few coming in off disappointing runs, it’s not just him. Notable Speech has had a couple of disappointing runs and Docklands last time didn’t perform like he did at Ascot. It’s the nature of the beast in these big races I’m afraid – it sometimes comes down to how the dice rolls on the day.

“The Japanese horse (Ascoli Piceno) looks pretty strong, so it’s going to be a good race and we’re there to do our best and we’ll see what happens.

“We only know about our horse, we don’t know how the others are performing or training. Our horse seems to be in good form and what will be will be. Whoever wins it is going to have to put up a very good performance and hopefully it goes in our favour.”

The Group One event has been a happy hunting ground for British and Irish raiders down the years, with the last French-trained winner coming in 2017.

Another on the comeback trail is Notable Speech, with Charlie Appleby quickly abandoning the sprinting experiment that saw him contest the July Cup most recently to return to the distance over which he scooped the 2000 Guineas last season.

Speaking on the Godolphin website, Appleby said: “Notable Speech goes into this in good order and we feel that stepping back up to a straight mile is going to suit.

“He looks very competitive in this field and can hopefully get his head back in front at this level.”

Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien will rely on both one-time Derby hope and Prix Jean Prat third The Lion in Winter and Minstrel Stakes scorer Diego Velazquez in search of just his second-ever win in the race, with the latter sporting the famous silks of the Sangster family having transferred ownership mid-week.

“He’s incredibly exciting and a horse we had been keeping our eye on,” said Sam Sangster on the purchase, with sights set on Group One honours this term.

“There’s plenty of racing in him for the rest of the year starting on Sunday and I don’t think a Group One is out of his reach at all and it’s in Aidan we trust.

“He’s done enough for a place at stud already in my opinion and he has a fabulous pedigree as well, but if we can get that Group One it will boost him even more and that will be the aim for the rest of the year.”

Bruised foot scuppers Rosallion’s Jacques le Marois bid

/in /by

Rosallion will be rerouted to York after a bruised foot ruled him out of Sunday’s Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.

The four-year-old was due to bid for Group One glory over a mile in France after being beaten just a nose and a neck in his last two starts at Royal Ascot and Goodwood.

Trainer Richard Hannon announced on Friday evening that his stable star will no longer make the trip though, having bruised his foot earlier in the week.

Rosallion will instead tackle the seven-furlong Sky Bet City of York Stakes next weekend, with the Knavesmire contest upgraded to Group One level this year.

In a post on X, Hannon said: “Unfortunately, we have decided to pull Rosallion out of the Prix Jaques le Marois on Sunday. He has a bruised foot that he picked up in training this week which has been treated but we aren’t completely happy and feel it only right to give him the extra days.

“This means we won’t make the trip over to France but will instead head to York. We are very happy with the way he is looking and working, and will head for the Group One City of York next weekend with the support of (owner) Sheikh Mohammed Obaid who wants the best for the horse.

“It’s disappointing for everyone involved but the horse’s welfare, as always, comes first.”

Wesley Ward ‘excited’ to mount Morny challenge with Outfielder

/in /by

Outfielder is on his way to France with the aim of providing American trainer Wesley Ward with a fourth victory in the Prix Morny at Deauville on Sunday week.

The Speightstown colt made a huge impression on his racecourse debut at Churchill Downs in May and looked tailor-made to add to Ward’s tally of a dozen winners at Royal Ascot.

However, he was ruled out of the the trip to Britain following a late setback and for the first time in a decade his trainer did not have a runner at the summer showpiece meeting in Berkshire.

But two months on, Ward is gunning for more Group One glory on European soil in a race he has previously won with No Nay Never (2013), Lady Aurelia (2016) and Campanelle (2020).

“Outfielder left Keeneland yesterday (Wednesday), so away we go,” he said.

“He’s flying right now, doing great and everything is wonderful. He’s had some excellent morning breezes and I’m so excited to get this guy going.

“He won bounding away on his only start. It was a little bit of a rush job to get him to Ascot and he told us he hadn’t quite recovered from his first effort to be ready for his next, but now he’s ready.”

No Nay Never, Lady Aurelia and Campanelle had all struck Royal Ascot gold before following up at Deauville and while Ward admits Outfielder lacks that high-level match practice, he feels there is some upside in the fact he will line up fresh.

“He doesn’t have quite the experience the others did because the others had two runs. They’d all run at home and run at Ascot,” the trainer added.

“This horse does have a bit better spacing in that all the others came back to America after Ascot and then had to travel again back to France, so he’s got better spacing from race to race.

“His last workout was an eye-opener at Keeneland. He worked in company with a horse called Longshoreman, who is out of Lady Pauline, who actually ran at Ascot in a race prior to the Royal meeting a few years ago and finished second.

“Longshoreman finished second on his debut at Keeneland and then bounded away by many lengths, just like Outfielder did, so when we worked them together last week I was kind of unsure what would happen, but Outfielder just ran away from him.

“He would relish fast ground, that’s for sure. It’s always a question mark at Deauville, but right now he’s doing great and we’re excited about running him.”

Ward is named as a part-owner of Outfielder alongside Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing operation and former professional baseball player Jayson Werth, who is set to make the trip to France.

Ward, who also confirmed Amo Racing’s retained rider David Egan is set to be on board, said: “Jayson is a wonderful guy and it’s great to have a great sportsman like him be involved in such a nice horse. We’re excited about that as well.”

Cox has Coppull booked for Prix Morny mission

/in /by

After lighting up a gloomy Goodwood with his Richmond Stakes triumph, it could be next stop Deauville for Coppull, as Clive Cox eyes a raid on the Sumbe Prix Morny on Sunday week.

Cox landed the Morny with Reckless Abandon in 2012 and a cross-Channel trip with the exciting son of Bated Breath would represent a “well-trodden path” for the handler, who also saddled Golden Horde to finish third in the French Group One after winning the Richmond.

“He’s in great form and we were very pleased that race took place before the rain fell at Goodwood,” said Cox, reflecting on his colt’s Group Two success on what was a miserable afternoon subsequently interrupted by heavy rainfall and lightning.

“I’ve been delighted with how he has come out of that and all being well he will head to the Prix Morny where he won’t be penalised for his success, it’s a well-trodden path.

“I would be very hopeful conditions remain dry and even though his sister has won on soft ground he has very much been at home on a quicker surface.”

Coppull’s two-length triumph over Aidan O’Brien’s Puerto Rico confirmed the promise of his fine third in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and it is the form of that contest – with recent Phoenix Stakes scorer Power Blue behind in fifth – which is convincing Cox he has a smart juvenile on his hands.

Connections all smiles - despite the weather!
Connections were all smiles despite the weather at Goodwood (PA)

“His form was boosted again at the weekend by the Amo horse who was behind us at Ascot and I see no reason to be anything but pleased with the progress our horse is making,” continued Cox.

“He took the step up to Group Two in his stride and that has vindicated a further step up at this stage.”

Among the Morny opposition is set to be the Wesley Ward-trained Outfielder, who is part-owned by MLB Hall of Famer Jayson Werth, who has recently played a starring roll in the Netflix series ‘Race for the Crown’.

Sajir shines for Murphy and Fabre in Prix Maurice de Gheest

/in /by

Sajir excelled at Deauville to give master trainer Andre Fabre a first success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

A winner of the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket earlier in the season, the mount of Oisin Murphy was somewhat unfancied with Jerome Reynier’s Royal Ascot hero Lazzat a heavy favourite to defend the crown he wore 12 months ago.

James Doyle had attempted to keep things simple by sending his mount forward, but a furlong from home the challengers were gathering on either side with the eye drawn to Murphy aboard Sajir.

Lazzat could soon give no more and it was left to Sajir to surge to glory, with the defending champion an honourable second and Francis-Henri Graffard’s Prix Jean Prat winner Woodshauna a fast-finishing third.

Fabre said: “This is the first time I’ve had him 100 per cent, he was in great condition.

“Prince Faisal is a great breeder, a great owner and a great person.”

The son of Prince Faisal’s Make Believe now looks set for an appearance at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend, with Fabre adding: “Obviously, like his father, the Prix de la Foret will be his path.”

Oisin Murphy tasted Group One glory at Deauville
Oisin Murphy tasted Group One glory at Deauville (PA)

It was Murphy’s third Group One win of the year after Lead Artist’s Lockinge win and striking aboard Tornado Alert in Germany recently.

He was delighted to make a successful visit to the Normandy coast to reclaim the mount on Sajir and said: “He was brilliant today. Andre had him spot on and he travelled beautifully for me.

“He relaxed very well. I was a little bit behind but I tried not to get there too soon.

“I think the horse improved 7lb on any form he’d shown before and he delivered.

“Today he switched his leads and powered to the line. The way he bends his knee he feels like a horse that will handle juice. I’m so happy for Prince Faisal.”

Meanwhile, Reynier has his sights on an Ascot return for Lazzat having felt conditions may have been too quick for his star four-year-old.

Lazzat could return to Ascot
Lazzat could return to Ascot (David Davies/PA)

He said: “James Doyle felt he couldn’t get the horse to relax. We’ll check the tracking data, but he felt the horse was doing too much and using too much energy.

“He had a flat spot – something that rarely happens – but still picked up again to fight and take second.

“He would be more comfortable on slightly softer ground and today it was still a bit firm. Autumn is coming and for him, the target will be the Champions Sprint at Ascot, as we know he likes easier going.

“It’s a shame to lose the crown, but we were beaten fair and square. Sajir is a very good horse and now it’s up to him to confirm.

“Initially, we were thinking of running the Prix de la Foret and then the Champions Sprint Stakes, but James Doyle feels we shouldn’t stretch him too much, or he might be even more outpaced than today.”

Graffard could also look to visit Britain with Woodshauna, with Haydock a possibility for the colt who sports the colours of John Stewart’s Resolute Racing operation.

Graffard said: “Woodshauna produced a terrific turn of foot — he really ran very well. He has a lot of speed, and Christophe (Soumillon) thinks this is as far as he stays.

“Woodshauna is entered in the Sprint Cup at Haydock. That’s an option. I’ll discuss it with the owner and Christophe, who knows him well now.”

Lazzat in prime form as he bids for Deauville repeat

/in /by

Lazzat is being backed by connections to relish his optimum conditions when he defends his Prix Maurice de Gheest crown at Deauville on Sunday.

The four-year-old gave new owners Wathnan Racing a day to remember when landing the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot and Jerome Reynier’s sprint king now tries to make it three from three on the Normandy coast.

“Jerome reports he has come out of Ascot in good form and is fresh and well ahead of Sunday,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan Racing.

“He obviously won this race last year and we would be looking forward to seeing him go and try to defend his crown.

“I think a straight track is important to him and he’s versatile between six and seven furlongs, so this is right in the middle. It looks like it’s going to be nice ground and probably on the quick side which will be perfect for him.

“He’s already won us a Group One, he’s is a very talented animal and is exactly the type of horse we are looking for in the operation.”

The home side have a strong squad assembled for the Group One event and along with Lazzat, Francis-Henri Graffard’s Woodshauna also heads into the event with standout claims having scooped the Prix Jean Prat on his most recent start.

“Francis says he is in top form for this weekend’s race in Deauville,” said John Stewart of owner Resolute Racing.

“It looks to be an exciting race with a deep field and should be a good challenge to see him run against older horses.”

It has not been unusual to see Graffard in the winner’s enclosure in his homeland this term and as well as Woodshauna he will saddle Commonwealth Cup third Rayevka.

Charlie Appleby’s 2000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light just missed out on the podium in the Prix Jean Prat when beaten half a length, while he finished fifth in the Commonwealth Cup on his penultimate start.

He is joined in the line-up by Moulton Paddocks stablemate Symbol Of Honour, with the Godolphin handler hopeful this six-and-a-half-furlong test could prove perfect for both.

Appleby told www.godolphin.com: “Shadow Of Light has run solid races all year without getting his head in front, and this should be a nice distance for him. We are hopeful that, if he can run up to his best two-year-old form, it will make him very competitive.

“Symbol Of Honour ran a very creditable race in the July Cup (eighth) and I feel that the six and a half furlongs here will be a good trip for him.”

Other British interest is provided by Kevin Ryan’s Inisherin, who will be partnered by Ryan Moore as he seeks compensation after being withdrawn at the start of the July Cup, and Ed Bethell’s ever-consistent flagbearer Regional.

Fallen Angel a Group One winner again in Prix Rothschild

/in /by

Karl Burke was thrilled to see Fallen Angel join elite company when showing plenty of fight to edge out January and claim the Prix Rothschild at Deauville.

Reunited with Danny Tudhope, who partnered the top-class Spigot Lodge inmate to Irish 1,000 Guineas glory last season, the daughter of Too Darn Hot was never too far away from the pace in the Group One event, but looked vulnerable when the Aidan O’Brien-trained duo of January and Exactly loomed large on either side.

It was January who would prove the biggest challenger and as Fallen Angel began to tussle with her Ballydoyle rival it appeared Christophe Soumillon had gained the advantage aboard the Falmouth Stakes runner-up.

However, Fallen Angel would not lie down and showed the toughness that has been a hallmark of her career to wrestle back supremacy and register a neck verdict in the nick of time.

It was the first time she had tasted success in the colours of owners Wathnan Racing but by adding a third success at the highest level she joins Laurens by winning top races in three successive seasons for their Middleham-based trainer.

Burke said: “She’s a great filly and she is now a Group One winner at two, three and four like Laurens and I think it’s a great achievement to have trained two good fillies like that.

“I was a little bit surprised that James Doyle didn’t go for her (over Crimson Advocate) and I did tell him she had been working great since Ascot, in particular in the last couple of work mornings.

“We put cheekpieces on her today because she’s a little bit older now and has been going up and down the gallop at Middleham for a few years now and her work was just getting that little bit lacklustre.

“But a couple of occasions we’d worked her with the sheepskins on and she’s really worked well and even without them on her work has stepped forward so I was delighted she was able to show it on the track.

“The ground was definitely better for her today and Ascot was too quick for her. If you watch the replay, she travelled on it, but when she was asked to quicken coming round the bend her head was coming up and it was only the last 100 yards that she relented to go forwards again.

“She’s not ungenuine and tried her hardest then, but she just wants that little bit of juice in the ground really.

“We went over there, and without sounding overconfident, we were pretty bullish she would run well and she has proved she’s still got plenty of talent. She’s very tough and she’s now got another Group One in the bag.”

Trainer Karl Burke was thrilled with Fallen Angel's victory
Trainer Karl Burke was thrilled with Fallen Angel’s victory (Mike Egerton/PA)

It could prove a case of unfinished business wherever Fallen Angel makes her next start, with Burke mentioning both a quick return to France for the Prix Jean Romanet on August 24 and Leopardstown’s Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes (September 13) as possible options.

A repeat visit to Deauville would see the four-year-old make just her second start at 10 furlongs having tried the trip for the first time when narrowly beaten in the Prix de l’Opera last October.

Meanwhile, Fallen Angel found just Porta Fortuna too strong in the Matron 12 months ago and remaining at a mile for another trip to Dublin would provide the opportunity to correct the record in the Irish capital.

“She’s in the Prix Jean Romanet back at Deauville in three week’s time and the Leopardstown race would also be high on the agenda,” continued Burke.

“I’m not sure yet and I’ll sit down and have a chat with Danny, James and Richard Brown and the Wathnan team and we’ll make a plan.

“We think she will stay a mile and a quarter but she’s obviously still got the speed for a mile so we will just have to do what is best for her at the time.”

Deauville calling for progressive Almeraq

/in /by

Impressive recent Ayr winner Almeraq could head to France next weekend for the Listed Prix Moonlight Cloud at Deauville.

The lightly-raced William Haggas-trained colt bolted up in Scotland, winning an Ayr Gold Cup trial by five lengths.

Given how impressive he was a hefty rise in the weights was on the cards and he has been put up a stone by the assessor.

Haggas now holds Group-race aspirations for the Shadwell-owned three-year-old, but a tilt at the Ayr Gold Cup next month has not been ruled out.

“We’ve put him in a Listed race at Deauville, so that is a possibility,” said Haggas.

“He went up 14lb for his win the other day so he will get in the Ayr Gold Cup now.

“I’ll put him in it. We hope that he’s going to reach dizzier heights than that at some point at this stage.”

Goodwood and Deauville under consideration for My Cloud

/in /by

Roger Varian’s Royal Ascot winner My Cloud has further Group-race targets after being ruled out of the Summer Mile.

The four-year-old was the winner of the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot in June, prevailing by three-quarters of a length in a field of 30 to remain unbeaten this season.

He was due to return to the same track to step into Group company earlier this month, but an unsatisfactory scope put paid to that plan and he was withdrawn.

Alternative aims are now likely to be at the latter end of next month, with races both in England and across the Channel in France pencilled in.

“We had to take him out of the Summer Mile because he scoped dirty and he’s had treatment for that,” said Chris Wall, racing manager to owners KHK Racing.

“He’s still not quite ready to race yet, we had hoped he’d be ready to run in a Listed race at Pontefract this weekend, but that’s not going to be the case.

“We’re looking at races at the end of August, we’ve got in mind the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and the Prix Quincey at Deauville at about the same time.

“We hope he’ll be ready for one of those and then we’ll take it from there.”

Deauville repeat firmly on the radar for Lazzat

/in /by

Royal Ascot sprint star Lazzat is pencilled in to make his next start on home turf, as the Prix Maurice de Gheest beckons again.

The gelded four-year-old, who is trained in France by Jerome Reynier and owned by Wathnan Racing, was an excellent winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on his first start for new connections.

His next port of call is likely to be the Deauville feature, a Group One he won by an impressive three lengths last season.

“We were delighted with him at Ascot, that was a very serious performance,” said Richard Brown, racing manager to Wathnan.

“He probably had a hard enough race, they always do at that level, so we said we’d give him a bit of a chance to give him a bit of a wind down and then wind him back up again.

“His next run will be in the Prix Maurice de Gheest and Jerome’s delighted with him, he came out of the race very well.

“We could have brought him back quicker if we’d wanted to, but we just thought we’d give him the chance now to be a fresh horse going into the autumn.

“We want to look after him, he’s a multiple Group One winner and he’s clearly a very high-class animal.

“We’ll race him with his long-term future in mind and hope he can be around for the next few years.”