Tag Archive for: Deauville

Spycatcher strikes at Deauville once more

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Spycatcher rekindled his love affair with Deauville when returning to winning ways in the Group Three Prix de Meautry.

Karl Burke’s six-year-old scored at the same level at this track last summer, as well as going down by just a short head in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

He was not beaten far when defending his Prix de Ris-Orangis title early last month, finishing just a length and a half behind Shouldvebeenaring in sixth.

Having been given a short break to freshen up, Spycatcher got the better of a late battle with the Clive Cox-trained James’s Delight to get back on the scoresheet, prevailing by a neck under Clifford Lee.

Harry Herbert of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing said: “It’s absolutely fantastic, he’s an amazing old servant and it’s just great to see him winning again.

“We’ve been waiting to get his ground all season and Karl said he was in great form going into this race.

“The ground has actually been changing from one way to another over the past few days but it went the right way for him in the end.

“He really is an amazing horse and it’s very special. Karl and his team have done a fantastic job and we were actually going to retire him at one stage but the vet said to just give him time and now he’s back winning Group races again.

“He loves that style of racing out in France and always seems to do well there.

“Deauville isn’t the easiest place to get to but he has a great bunch of owners and they’ve had plenty of fun out there today, which is what it’s all about.”

Karl Burke trains Spycatcher (Mike Egerton/PA).

Make Me King gave new Wathnan Racing trainer Hamad Al Jehani his biggest success since setting up in Newmarket when running out an emphatic winner of the Prix Quincey.

The four-year-old had some decent form in France for Andre Fabre before joining his current connections at the end of last year.

He returned to his homeland in fair form after splitting two creditable efforts in valuable Ascot handicaps with a Newcastle victory and fairly bolted up in this Group Three contest.

James Doyle was happy to track firm favourite Topgear early on and Make Me King ultimately came through strongly to comfortably beat that rival by two and a half lengths over a mile.

Former Derby favourite Arrest remains without a win this season after having to settle for second best for a third straight outing in the Group Two Grand Prix de Deauville.

John and Thady Gosden’s charge was a well-beaten runner-up behind Point Lonsdale in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester and chased home Giavellotto in Newmarket’s Princess of Wales’s Stakes.

He was heavily backed to go one better in France and Kieran Shoemark looked in control of proceedings when kicking on from the front turning for home.

However, German raider Quantanamera came out of the chasing pack and finished strongly, sweeping past to score by four lengths.

Her trainer Andreas Suborics said: “She was impressive. It’s a racecourse where she is particularly effective. The ground, too, was ideal for her.

“However, it was the step up in trip – from 2,000m to 2,500m – that proved decisive on this occasion, as it was the key to her victory.

“Stephane Pasquier rode the perfect race. She beat a good field and that’s a good pointer for the future. We’re now going to head to Ascot for the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes on October 19.”



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Whistlejacket repels Rashabar to take Morny glory

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Whistlejacket saw off the late thrust of Rashabar to provide trainer Aidan O’Brien with a fifth victory in the Sumbe Prix Morny at Deauville.

Winner of Newmarket’s July Stakes before finding Babouche too strong in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last weekend, Whistlejacket was a 2-1 favourite to follow in the hoofprints of Orpen (1998), Fasliyev (1999), Johannesburg (2001) and Blackbeard (2022) by claiming Group One success in France.

Always to the fore and with the rail to help, Whistlejacket was in front entering the last of six furlongs and responded to Ryan Moore’s every call.

The Brian Meehan-trained Rashabar, a shock 80-1 winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, had to throw down his challenge widest of all in the hands of Sean Levey, but emerged as the biggest threat.

However, try as he might, the Holy Roman Emperor colt could never quite get on terms with the winner, who was three-quarters of a length in front at the line.

Daylight emerged best of the home team in third, with Arabie in fourth for Karl Burke, whose previously unbeaten Norfolk Stakes winner Shareholder proved disappointing, being very keen early on and eventually finishing last of nine.

O’Brien told Sky Sports Racing: “Really it was the boss’s (John Magnier) decision – he felt he could do the two, the Heinz (Phoenix Stakes) and the Morny.

“He’s a very fast horse – a typical No Nay Never, very quick. Ryan said the same – he had all the guns all the way.

“He came out of the race (last week) very well and I’m delighted. Ryan felt the Irish race didn’t go quite the way he wanted, he felt two of them got together very early and the Curragh is a tough track.

“Ryan gave him a brilliant ride as always. He’s a Middle Park-type horse and probably a Breeders’ Cup-type horse.”

Rashabar (centre) winning the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot
Rashabar (centre) winning the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Meehan was pleased to see Rashabar prove his Royal Ascot success was no fluke.

He said: “We weren’t helped by the draw, just as we weren’t in Ascot, but it worked out fine that day.

“No disrespect to the winner, I think he’s a lovely horse – I saw him in the parade ring beforehand and thought he’s a very good looking horse. But I think the draw played it’s part as far as we were concerned. The winner had the rail and I think there was a fresh strip of ground there, too.

“He (Rashabar) is a proper horse. I’ve won the Prix Morny twice before (Bad As I Wanna Be in 2000 and Arcano in 2009), but I would say this fellow is better.

“I want to step him up to seven (furlongs) now and we’ll play it by ear. I’m a bit wary of the penalty (for winning at Ascot), but I’d say the Guineas next year is going to be high on his list.

“I always like the idea of the Breeders’ Cup, so that would be a possibility, but we’ll see. We’ll get him home and regroup next week.”

Rashabar was the second horse in a matter of days Meehan has saddled to fill the runner-up spot at Deauville, with his other Royal Ascot hero Jayarebe giving the William Haggas-trained Economics a real race in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano on Thursday.

He added: “We’ve had a great week and won about €350,000 in prize-money without a winning a race!

“It was a great run from Jayarebe and there was no sad story there. I think it was a career-best from him and I think William’s horse was outstanding.

“It’s the same sort of thing for him (Jayarebe) really, I just wanted to get both horses here and we’ll review the plan next week when I get a chance to draw breath.”



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All roads lead to the Arc now for Fabre and Mqse De Sevigne

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Mqse De Sevigne completed her Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe preparations as she came from last to first to maintain her unbeaten record for the season in the Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville.

Andre Fabre’s talented mare won the Prix Rothschild and the Romanet last summer and was long odds-on to repeat the double in the hands of Alexis Pouchin.

After being settled at the rear of the five-strong field for much of the 10-furlong contest, the five-year-old was produced to challenge in the straight and knuckled down well to claim victory by a head, with her rider keen to ensure she did not have a hard time of things.

Joseph O’Brien saddled the second and third in American Sonja and Maxux, with Blue Rose Cen running her best race of the season so far in a close-up fourth.

Following her victory 12 months ago, Mqse De Sevigne dropped back to a mile in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket, finishing second to Inspiral, but this season she is set to step up to a mile and a half for the first time in a bid to provide her trainer with a record-extending ninth victory in the Arc.

Coral eased her odds to 33-1 from 20-1 for Europe’s premier middle-distance contest, but Fabre is nevertheless looking forward to seeing her line up at ParisLongchamp in early October.

“She’s a great mare, she is beautiful and has all that you can expect from a well-bred thoroughbred,” the master trainer told Sky Sports Racing.

“Keep in mind that she wins all her races by a nose or a short head. That (Arc) was the plan and it will stay that way – we will go straight for the Arc.”

Winning owner Edouard de Rothschild said: “They went very slowly. It proved to be an excellent showing and we’re very happy. Mqse De Sevigne has gained added experience and she’s proving more relaxed in her races, she now expends less energy.

“We don’t really harbour any doubts about her staying the 2400 metres trip of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.”

Pouchin added: “Mqse De Sevigne is the mare of a lifetime. She’s incredible and rises to the occasion in all of her races. She was travelling easily when quickening into the lead. As she tends to idle once in front, this allowed her rivals to come back at her, but the job was already done at the time. She showed a touch of class.”



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Simmering proves far too smart for Deauville rivals

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Simmering produced a performance full of class to claim an impressive win in the Group Two Prix du Calvados at Deauville.

Dylan Browne McMonagle gave Ollie Sangster’s juvenile filly a confident ride and she justified that faith by easing her way through to the front two furlongs from home.

Jean-Claude Rouget’s Fraise Des Bois, unbeaten in her first four starts, briefly looked as though she was going to prove a major threat.

However, Simmering found another gear when asked and powered away to prevail by three lengths, following up her Princess Margaret success at Ascot and earning a quote of 16-1 for next year’s 1000 Guineas from Coral.

“It was a much easier watch than the Princess Margaret,” said Sangster. “She travelled smoothly and put the race to bed really nicely.

“It was a lovely ride and I know Dylan from when I did my stint at Joseph’s (O’Brien). He’s a very nice rider, rides in a good style and kept it simple, which was always the plan.

“The step up to seven seemed to bring about improvement and I think the added racing also helped, there was an element of greenness there when she won at Ascot. I also think she will improve for some better ground and she’s a scopey filly and I don’t think she will just be a two-year-old.

“She will have a maximum of two more starts and the Breeders’ Cup is a possible option – and we’ve also got the Prix Marcel Boussac, which is something we would consider. It’s nice to have new owners in Al Shaqab in the yard and obviously Arc weekend is sponsored by Qatar, so it’s an option we will consider.”

Apples And Bananas kept on well from the front to land the Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l’Elevage for Joseph O’Brien and McMonagle.

The son of Wootton Bassett comfortably held off the late charge of Rosa Salvaje to score by three-quarters of a length, with Charlie Johnston’s Lazy Griff a further three and a half lengths adrift in third.

Odds-on favourite Aventure came from last to first in the home straight to secure a cosy success in the Group Two Prix de Pomone for Christophe Ferland and Stephane Pasquier.

Jessica Harrington’s Trevaunance and the John and Thady Gosden-trained One Evening were only just behind at the line, but the winner appeared to have plenty in hand.



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Rashabar camp dreaming big ahead of Prix Morny test

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Coventry Stakes winner Rashabar could set up a potential trip to the Breeders’ Cup should he run well in Sunday’s Prix Morny at Deauville.

The two-year-old, by Holy Roman Emperor, caused an 80-1 shock at Royal Ascot under teenager Billy Loughnane and has been aimed at this race ever since.

It is a Group One trainer Brian Meehan has won twice before, in 2000 with Bad As I Wanna Be and then nine years later with Arcano.

Rashabar runs in the famous green and blue colours of the late Robert Sangster for Manton Thoroughbreds and the thought of running in the Breeders’ Cup is already proving tempting.

Sam Sangster of Manton Thoroughbreds said: “He’s in incredible form at home and Brian feels he has improved.

“It’s a big day for the syndicate and everyone involved and we’re incredibly excited.

“He’s got the French premiums, which was definitely part of our decision to come here. He had the option of running in the Phoenix (at the Curragh), but with the premiums, this was too big of a temptation.

“Brian feels this horse is the ideal candidate and straight after the Coventry, the first thing he said to me was ‘Prix Morny’.

“It’s a stallion-making race as well, so we have to bear that in mind and I feel he is a horse who after this is going to step up in trip – and if he keeps going the way we think he is, then the Breeders’ Cup could be on the ticket for later in the year.

“He’d be the perfect horse for the Breeders’ Cup I think, but we have to get past Sunday first, then hopefully the world is his oyster.”

Shareholder (left) had Whistlejacket behind him at Ascot
Shareholder (left) had Whistlejacket behind him at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Karl Burke has two live chances and he is another UK-based trainer to have won the race before, with Unfortunately in 2017 leading home a one-two for the yard when beating Havana Grey.

Like Rashabar, Burke’s Shareholder won at Royal Ascot in the Norfolk Stakes and is running over six furlongs for the first time, while stablemate Arabie has already won two Group races in France.

“They are two exciting colts,” said Burke. “With Shareholder, it has been well documented what we think of him and hopefully he can prove it, but I wouldn’t dismiss Arabie, as he is so tough. He’s not a flashy horse and I think he has gone under the radar a bit – he’s as hard as nails.

“They go there in great form and have travelled over well – they have taken it in their stride.

“The travel would have been a little bit of a concern with Shareholder, but having said that, he has done plenty of travelling before with the sales and stuff and he’s apparently taken it well and eaten up and we’re very happy with him.

“He’s been good since his break and you are always a little concerned. I think in the past, you have given these horses a break thinking you are doing the right thing and then they lose a little bit of muscle condition.

“And then when you bring them back, you have to work them differently, a little bit stronger than normal, rather than race-to-race.

“But he has come back and been training well and looks in great condition.”

Whistlejacket, behind Shareholder at Ascot and beaten into second by the filly Babouche in the Phoenix Stakes last week, but a July Stakes winner in between, is out again for Aidan O’Brien.

“We’re very happy with him and looking forward to it,” said O’Brien.

“The plan was always to go for the two races, we were thinking of that before the Curragh.

“He came out of the race very well and he’s a fast horse.”

A further British-trained runner is Simon and Ed Crisford’s filly Arabian Dusk, winner of the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes last time out at Newmarket.



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Simmering all set to move up in trip at Deauville

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Simmering heads to France for the next stop in her promising career when she steps up in trip for the Prix du Calvados at Deauville.

Third at York behind Prix Morny contender Arabie on debut, Ollie Sangster’s filly found just Aidan O’Brien’s exciting Fairy Godmother too good when second in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The daughter of Too Darn Hot was making her first start in the silks of new owners Al Shaqab when she returned to Ascot to shed her maiden status with an impressive display in the Princess Margaret Stakes last month.

It was a performance which convinced connections to test the water over seven furlongs, which she does on Saturday where Dylan Browne McMonagle rides for the first time.

“She took the race at Ascot really well and has come out of the race in good form,” said Sangster.

“I haven’t done loads with her since, but she seems to be in good order and this is a nice next stepping stone for her.

“She saw the stiff six (furlongs) of Ascot out well and was doing her best work at the end, so I think this step up to seven furlongs is logical and Ryan (Moore, who rode at Ascot) suggested that as well.

“It looks a nice opportunity and hopefully it will be quick ground and we’re looking forward to running her.”

Bouvier (left) pushed Dreamy close at Goodwood
Bouvier (left) pushed Dreamy close at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole’s Bouvier pushed Ballydoyle’s well-regarded Dreamy all the way when a neck second at Goodwood on her second outing and is another contender from Britain alongside Grant Tuer’s Love Talk.

However, the biggest test to Simmering could be presented by Jean-Claude Rouget’s unbeaten Fraise Des Bois having maintained her perfect record in Listed company at La Teste De Buch.

Owned by Denford Stud, she holds an entry for Newmarket’s Cheveley Park Stakes in the autumn and connections are keen to get a gauge of her level from this steep jump into Group Two company.

“She has won four out of four and is climbing the ladder slowly,” said Richard Evans of Denford Stud.

“Her last race was probably the most impressive when she won by seven lengths and she is a progressive filly now heading to a Group Two and then after that we can see about some Group One entries depending on how she does on Saturday.

“The race on Saturday will tell us really where we are, I think, and the competition is going to be a lot stiffer obviously. Ollie Sangster has his nice filly Simmering in there and the competition will be high and we will see how she does.

“If she can win or even run a good race then I would say she will probably go for a Group One in France or we have the Cheveley Park entry as well.”

Love Talk is another of British interest for trainer Grant Tuer as she tries to bounce back from a sixth-placed finish in a Listed contest at Sandown last month.

Owner Nick Bradley was successful in this race with Fev Rover in 2020 and Love Talk’s chances will be boosted with booking of 2023 winning jockey Mickael Barzalona in the saddle.

“She won on debut, went to the Star Stakes (at Sandown) and everything kind of went wrong, she got shuffled back and stuck on the outside,” Bradley said.

“She steps up in grade in terms of the name of the race, but it doesn’t look the strongest of Group Twos in my opinion.

“Simmering will be hard to beat, but I think we go there with a decent each-way chance.”



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Economics returns with stylish Deauville victory

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Economics returned to action with an impressive display in beating Royal Ascot winner Jayarebe in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville.

Much has been written about the imposing three-year-old since his demolition job in the Dante at York, after which connections resisted the temptation to supplement for the Derby.

A clash with Derby winner City Of Troy in the Eclipse did not materialise, with William Haggas eventually settling on this Group Two for his reappearance rather than the Juddmonte International at York next week.

It was far from a penalty kick, though, with Brian Meehan’s Jayarbee and Ed Walker’s Almaqam, as well as the promising Bright Picture for Andre Fabre, among the opposition.

Briefly it looked as though Sean Levey had given Jayarebe a fantastic ride as he was the first to set off in pursuit of the pacemaker and slipped the field, three lengths clear with Tom Marquand at work on Economics.

But gradually the imposing chestnut went through the gears and once he hit the front he powered clear to win comfortably, with a long way back to Almaqam in third.

As a result, Economics was immediately shortened in price for the Irish Champion Stakes, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Haggas confirmed it would be the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 14 next, and that had been a determining factor in going to France.

The Newmarket handler said: “It was good to see him do it again. Watching it live it looked like he had to come from a fair way back and the second had got a run on him.

“His next possible target is the Irish Champion. That has got to be the target now.

“It is sponsored by Sheikh Isa’s (owner) family and it is a very important race for them. That is one of the reasons we ran him a week earlier than the Juddmonte. The Juddmonte to the Irish Champion is close enough.

“The plan is for him to remain in training next year, so those options (a mile and a half) are all open next year.

“It was something of a relief to see him do that again because you put your head on the block waiting and if you see the horse he’s a great big immature thing still, he’s just got an engine.

“If we look after him, he’ll repay us – that’s my logic.”

George Boughey’s Soprano hit the right note to return to winning ways in the Prix de Lieurey.

The Royal Ascot heroine has had to settle for a minor role since scooping Sandringham Stakes, getting stuck in soft ground when third at Sandown in the Coral Distaff and failing to land the blow in Ascot’s Valiant Stakes most recently.

Ridden by William Buick for the first time this season, the daughter of Starspangledbanner proved a cut above the rest as she quickened clear of the opposition in the home straight to leave her rivals chasing shadows inside the closing stages.

She holds an entry for the Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes at Leopardstown next month and was shortened to 12-1 from 16s by both Paddy Power and Betfair for the Group One event during Irish Champions Weekend.



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Marquand delighted to see Economics getting back to business

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Tom Marquand is excited at the prospect of being reunited with Economics on Thursday, as the impressive Dante scorer makes his eagerly-awaited return to the track at Deauville in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano.

It has only been 91 days since William Haggas’ son of Night Of Thunder was seen dazzling on the Knavesmire, but such was the taking impression of that Derby trial demolition, his spell on the sidelines has felt much longer.

However, his big-race jockey feels the approach taken by connections will be vindicated on the Normandy coast, where he is hopeful the talented colt can tee-up some big-race assignments for later in the season.

“I’m just really looking forward to having him back on track and he obviously remains an extremely exciting horse,” said Marquand.

“Thursday is going to be a pivotal day in his career in terms of setting goals and plans for the rest of the year.

“William and Maureen look at their horses and then act accordingly and that is what they have done with this fella.

“Seeing him at home, it looks the perfect move (to bide their time) and hopefully he can translate that on the track, having had that time to strengthen and mature – it should have done him the world of good.”

Marquand had the best seat in the house for Economics’ six-length Dante romp and shares in the anticipation to see if his mount can repeat his York heroics in this intriguing Group Two event, that Haggas landed with Dubai Honour three years ago.

“You couldn’t help be excited (after York),” continued Marquand.

“There is always that element of, when they do win so impressively, you have to have a bit of scepticism about it – the race was run to suit and you can’t be unrealistic about that.

“But the manner in which he did it – and if you took away the rest of the field and just watched him on the way round – you couldn’t help but be impressed.

“It’s not an easy race by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m looking forward to being on board him.”

Chief among Economics’ opposition is Ed Walker’s Almaqam, who established himself as a colt to note when dispatching Kikkuli in the Heron Stakes and then was not disgraced when upped to Group One company in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Almaqam (left) in action at Sandown
Almaqam (left) in action at Sandown (John Walton/PA)

The son of Lope De Vega – who will be partnered by William Buick – now makes the move up to 10 furlongs for the first time with his handler believing it could bring about the required improvement to take a hand in this red-hot contest.

Walker said: “It’s going to be a hell of a race, I think, and it’s great to have a horse I think is good enough to be part of it.

“We will see, but I imagine the first three home will all be winning Group Ones at some stage of their careers and I’m looking forward to it.

“I think stepping him up in trip will bring about plenty of improvement and William knows him well, so we’re very hopeful.”

Brian Meehan’s Hampton Court winner Jayarebe is also in the mix searching for his third win of the season, while Arrow Eagle, Safwan and Wahdan will all represent Jean-Claude Rouget, who is seeking a hat-trick in the race having saddled Al Hakeem and Ace Impact to strike in the last two seasons.

Andre Fabre’s Prix Eugene Adam scorer Bright Picture completes the seven-strong field heading to post in France.



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All eyes will be on Economics at Deauville on Thursday

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Dante winner Economics takes on Royal Ascot hero Jayarebe as the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano throws up a mouthwatering midweek treat at Deauville on Thursday.

The William Haggas-trained Economics was a six-length winner York’s Derby trial in mid-May, but connections resisted the temptation to head to Epsom and he has since enjoyed a mid-season break.

Potential returns to the Knavesmire for last month’s York Stakes and the Juddmonte International next week were considered, but the Night Of Thunder colt instead cross the Channel for a second Group Two assignment, and Haggas could not be happier with his condition.

“He’s fine and is on his way to Deauville as we speak,” the trainer told Sky Sports Racing.

“We looked at the York Stakes at the end of July but he wasn’t ready for that, so it was either this or the Juddmonte and we preferred to have a go against the three-year-olds.

“He’s still relatively inexperienced. As promising as he might look, he’s still only run three races in his life, so we thought the Juddmonte might be quite a hard ask for a horse first time out for a while.

“He’s a pretty nice horse, I haven’t been looking very hard to see how good he is because that’s not the way we like to do it, but he does everything very easily, he’s pretty fit and I’m very much looking forward to getting him back on track – I can’t wait really.”

Economics was far too good for his rivals at York
Economics was far too good for his rivals at York (Mike Egerton/PA)

Economics holds entries in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and the Champion Stakes at Ascot, but Haggas is not looking beyond this week’s assignment.

He added: “I tend not to want to predict what might happen later on or where he might go, I want to get this first hurdle out of the way, but he’s in every smart race at a mile and a quarter that you can imagine and he’ll be aiming at one of those if he’s good enough.”

While Economics was brilliant in the Dante, he did return to the winner’s enclosure with blood in his nose, leaving some to question whether he had burst blood vessels.

Haggas, though, is putting the issue down to him banging his head on the starting stalls, saying: “We think that’s what happened, but we take no chances with him obviously.

“We had a few issues in the spring with that sort of thing, but he’s absolutely fine and we scope him every time he works and we haven’t seen a trace of blood, so that doesn’t concern us at the moment.

“What concerns me personally is how tight the ground might be for him (at Deauville). He’s a great big horse and it’s going to be quick ground, but he’s got to run so we’ll need to get on with it.

“He’s a beautiful looking horse and everything he has done so far has pleased us. He had a gallop at the racecourse at Newmarket about 10 days ago and he looked really good, so I’m really happy with him.”

Jayarebe made an excellent start to his three-year-old campaign by winning Newmarket’s Feilden Stakes, but was then beaten into third place as hot favourite for the Dee Stakes at Chester.

He got back on winning trail when repelling the late surge of King’s Gambit in the Hampton Court Stakes at the Royal meeting, though, and trainer Brian Meehan is looking forward to his trip to France ahead of a likely tilt at Breeders’ Cup glory later in the year.

He said: “He’s great, really happy with him. He seems like he’s improved, he’s in tremendous form.

“Every race is a tough race, but I didn’t feel he had a particularly hard race (at Ascot). I considered the Eclipse, which was a couple of weeks later and it was only the (soft) ground that put us off running there.

“He’s taken a nice, gradual increase in class as he’s progressed and this was kind of a very obvious next step for him, staying in his own age group. The York Stakes was a consideration, he’d have been taken on a few older horses there, and this was always the most sensible route to take with him.

“The plan has always been to take him to the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar. Depending on what happens on Thursday, where to take him in between is a bit of a dilemma, but saying that I’d be happy to not run him again until the Breeders’ Cup.

“He’s got a good travelling speed. The track at Del Mar is maybe not the ideal track for him, but he has got a good racing pace and he’s just really straightforward and a good galloper and I think extra two furlongs on that particular day would be ideal as well.”

Almaqam (left) on his way to victory at Sandown
Almaqam (left) on his way to victory at Sandown (John Walton/PA)

Economics and Jayarebe are two of seven runners declared for the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano, with Ed Walker’s Almaqam a third British raider.

The Lope De Vega colt readily accounted for the smart Kikkuli in Sandown’s Heron Stakes on his penultimate start, but having since been beaten into sixth in the St James’s Palace Stakes, he steps up to a mile and a quarter for the first time.

The pick of the home team looks to be Bright Picture, who has won four of his five starts to date for Andre Fabre.

His only defeat came at the hands of Calandagan in the spring and he has since registered a clear-cut victory in the Group Two Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud.



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Haatem camp hopeful Deauville setback was only minor

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Haatem appears to have escaped serious injury following his dramatic late withdrawal from the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday.

Winner of the Craven Stakes on his three-year-old debut, Richard Hannon’s colt went on to finish third in the 2000 Guineas before pushing his esteemed stablemate Rosallion close in the Irish equivalent.

After subsequently being snapped up by prominent owners Wathnan Racing, Haatem enjoyed his day in the sun with a narrow success in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and hopes were high ahead of his return to Group One level in France.

However, with James Doyle unhappy with how his mount was moving on the way to the start, the son of Phoenix Of Spain was quickly declared a non-runner.

With an immediate X-ray failing to reveal any abnormalities, Haatem has now returned to Britain for further evaluation and connections are hopeful there is no major damage.

“He’s travelled back and travelled well. I think we were all keen to get him back as quickly as possible,” said Wathnan’s European racing adviser Richard Brown.

“We are giving him the once over and we’ll probably know more in the next 24 to 48 hours, but certainly the early indications are that it’s nothing serious.

“James said he took a few bad steps and he just didn’t feel he was right, so he pulled him up straight away and we’ll see where we are in the next day or so.

“We don’t think it’s anything serious but we’ll take every possible precaution.

“All plans are on hold for the moment.”



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Inspiral team to hold fire before confirming future plans

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Future plans for Inspiral are “up for debate” after a tardy start effectively ruined her chance of winning a third Prix Jacques le Marois on Sunday.

John and Thady Gosden’s top-class mare has carried the Cheveley Park Stud colours to six Group One victories in all, including back-to-back wins in one of Deauville’s midsummer highlights.

After finishing fourth in the Lockinge at Newbury and sixth in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on her first two starts of the current campaign, Ryan Moore took over in the saddle from Kieran Shoemark for her return to France.

But not for the first time, the daughter of Frankel missed the break and she ultimately had to make do with minor honours behind her fellow British raider Charyn.

“She ran very well considering the start – you can’t give five or six lengths away, or whatever it was, in those sorts of races,” said Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson.

“The winner was very impressive and was always going to be the main danger. She certainly didn’t help herself, but she’s run well.

“Ryan was obviously wishing that she’d jumped (on terms), but she did well to get back into the race and she finished it off as well as she could have done having lost that much distance.”

While Inspiral’s performance was a step up on her first two efforts as a five-year-old, there is little doubt it was still some way short of her brilliant best.

After successfully defending her Marois crown last term, she dominated the Sun Chariot at Newmarket in October before flashing home under an inspired Frankie Dettori to win the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf the following month.

Both races will again come under consideration if Inspiral is to continue her racing career, but that appears uncertain at this stage.

Richardson added: “We’ll see how she comes out of the race and we’ll make a decision about the future.

“Certainly, it was a much-improved performance and we know she does like to come (into form) at this time of year, but what happens is obviously up for debate and we’ll see how she comes out of the race.

“I think if that is the decision (to continue racing), then the Sun Chariot makes perfect sense – I’m sure that would be her next race and we’d make a call after that regarding going to America.

“I think she was much happier yesterday and it was a bit frustrating really. Maybe she’s had enough and maybe she’ll tell us that in due course, but obviously at this point, it’s too early to say.”



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Al Hakeem camp dreaming of Arc glory again after cosy win

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Al Hakeem is Arc-bound again after proving himself to be back in business with a pleasing success in the Prix Gontaut-Biron at Deauville.

Jean-Claude Rouget’s five-year-old has shown glimpses of real talent throughout his career but injury has stalled his progress and left him lightly raced.

Fourth when not too far behind Alpinista in the 2022 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the horse ran only once the following season before a 427-day absence from the racecourse.

He returned in June to finish second in the Group Three La Coupe at ParisLongchamp, a fine effort after such a break, and headed next to Deauville at the same grade.

Under Cristian Demuro and in the silks of Al Shaqab Racing, the son of Siyouni was always travelling well and did no more than was needed to hit the front on the turn for home and keep on for a cosy half-length success.

“The horse had some problems after his Arc and it took a long time with the valuable assistance of the people at Al Shaqab in England to bring him back,” said Mohamed Al Mansour of Al Shaqab.

“The team at home did a great job getting him back; if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be here today celebrating his win.

Jubilant scenes at Deauville
Jubilant scenes at Deauville (PA)

“The aim now is obviously the Arc, it would be lovely to get a homebred to win the Arc – that’s the dream.

“It’s all systems go. He’s an amazing horse, very genuine, he’s such a good looker and he just needed time to mature.

“There are a few options, there is the Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte at Longchamp in early September, or we might try the Irish Champion Stakes. There’s a few roads leading to the Arc and he might just go straight there.

“We’ll see how he recovers from this, he has a few options and we’ll leave it to the team to decide, because they’ve done an amazing job so far.”



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Ombudsman provides decisive verdict at Deauville

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John and Thady Gosden’s Ombudsman remains unbeaten after a taking victory in the Listed-class Prix Nureyev at Deauville.

The Godolphin-owned Night Of Thunder colt did not run at two but had both Newmarket and Leicester novice wins to his name when heading over to France to be partnered by Ryan Moore.

Over 10 furlongs, he was ridden patiently and saved his effort for the home straight, where he looked a real prospect when pulling away easily to record a three-and-a-half-length victory from Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Sons And Lovers.

“That was run at a proper pace and the ground was fast enough,” said John Gosden.

“He was immature last year and had problems with his knees, but he’s done everything right. Ryan says keep him at 10 furlongs.

“He couldn’t run last year and is not a horse to over race anyway, it will be all about next year.

“It was lovely that the French came up with this race, a Listed in which you can run against only three-year-olds, which we can’t do in England.”

Cowardofthecounty proved toughest of the field to take the Prix Francois Boutin.

Joseph O’Brien’s Kodi Bear colt was a winner on debut, beating subsequent July Stakes hero Whistlejacket, but was then only seventh in both the Coventry Stakes and the Anglesey.

The former run was a narrower loss than the placing suggests, however, and in France he stepped up to seven furlongs for a Group Three assignment in the hands of the aforementioned Moore.

On good ground and in a field of five, he was always well placed and as the race developed, it became evident that he was much the best, with the contest effectively won a furlong from home.

Striding out across the line, Cowardofthecounty was eventually a length-and-a-half winner from the highly-regarded Houquetot.

“He had some nice form and was impressive first time out and the extra furlong obviously helped him today,” said Shane Cross, assistant trainer to O’Brien.

“He’s a fine, big colt and Ryan said he relished it, finishing the race good and straight.

“It’s great to be going home with a winner.”

Moore added: “He won well on debut, a lot of the form has started working out well and the step up to seven (furlongs) suited him.

“He won well, he’s a horse with a good future ahead of him.”

The Prix Lady O’Reilly went to the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained Mosaique, who now has Group One ambitions.

The winning trainer said: “The next step will be to try to get her Group One-placed and after that she might win a Group One. Her trip right now is a mile and a half so we will go for the Vermeille, but I feel she has the speed to operate effectively over a mile and a quarter as well.”



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Charyn ready to lay down mile marker in Prix Jacques le Marois

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Charyn can make a claim for being the best older miler in training if he can follow up his Royal Ascot win in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday.

Roger Varian’s grey has won three of his four starts this season, with his sole defeat coming in the Lockinge behind Audience, a winner at Goodwood recently.

The four-year-old then ran out a dominant winner of the Queen Anne Stakes under his regular partner Silvestre de Sousa and the pair combine again in what looks a top-notch renewal in France.

Varian said: “He’s in great form and I’m happy with him. We’re nearly there now and we’re looking forward to seeing how we get on.

“He’s grown into himself this year and is starting to look the finished article. He’s always been a good horse and he just seems to have found a new level this year, which is great for everyone involved.

“We’re enjoying the journey and had a great day at Royal Ascot and hopefully he has another big run in him on Sunday.”

In what is a clash of the generations, Richard Hannon fields Haatem, just behind his brilliant stablemate Rosallion in the Irish Guineas.

Haatem (red hat) just held on to win the Jersey
Haatem (red hat) just held on to win the Jersey (John Walton/PA)

He then dropped to seven furlongs to win the Jersey Stakes at the Royal meeting and takes on his elders for the first time.

“We gave him a little bit of time off to freshen up after Ascot, but Richard reports he’s in very good form,” said Richard Brown, European racing adviser for owners Wathnan Racing.

“It is obviously a very deep race, but he deserves to take his chance and we’re looking forward to seeing him run.

“We know he is tough and wears his heart on his sleeve, so he will put in a brave performance, I’m sure.”

John and Thady Gosden’s Inspiral, twice a winner of this race already, needs Ryan Moore to have a positive effect after two poor outings this season, while French 2000 Guineas winner Metropolitan also runs.

Quddwah has kept on progressing this season
Quddwah has kept on progressing this season (Adam Davy/PA)

The one horse defending an unbeaten record is Simon and Ed Crisford’s Quddwah, who faces his toughest test to date.

“We discussed the Sussex, but we felt the track at Deauville, the straight mile would be more suitable for him. It’s a high-quality field, a very good race, but he’s got form to suggest he should be in the mix,” Ed Crisford told Sky Sports Racing.

“Callum (Shepherd) got on well with him at Ascot and has ridden him at home so it was an easy decision really to leave him on.

“The way Charyn won the Queen Anne was very impressive and if Inspiral can bounce back to form she’s a two-time winner of the race already, there’s the French Guineas winner there and Richard Hannon’s Haatem so they are all dangers. But we’re just hoping to run a really good race and we’ll learn a lot about him.

“I think he’ll suit a nice strong pace. When he hits the front Callum said he felt he was always doing enough and if they’d got to him (in the Summer Mile at Ascot) he would have gone again. I’m sure there will be pace with Big Rock in there.”

Maurizio Guarnieri is doing a rain dance ahead of Big Rock’s attempt to go one better than 12 months ago.

He showed what he was capable of when the mud is flying when winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day, but has struggled this season on quicker ground.

His owners moved him to Guarnieri from Christopher Head in the winter, but he has disappointed in both the Lockinge under last year’s jockey Aurelian Lemaitre and Christophe Soumillon in the Queen Anne. Now Cristian Demuro takes over.

“Big Rock has pleased me since he came back from England when the ground was too quick,” said Guarnieri.

“We know what he wants to be at his best so I have been dancing before the race for the rain!

“He was second in the Marois last year so we know he likes Deauville, but it is a very, very good race.

“The owners wanted Cristian to ride him this time so we will see how he gets on with him.”



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Crisford pondering adding Arabian Dusk to Prix Morny field

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Ed Crisford has raised the possibility of supplementing Arabian Dusk for next weekend’s Prix Morny at Deauville.

Crisford, who trains the filly jointly with his father, Simon, said her other option is the Lowther Stakes at York.

She sprang to prominence when winning the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting and as that race is a Group Two, she would be carrying a penalty at York.

With the Morny being a Group One, and against colts, she would be in receipt of weight from most of her rivals. She would need to be added to the field at a cost of €25,200.

“She’s in at York and there’s the Prix Morny next week as well. We’ll see how she is this week but potentially she could be supplemented for the Prix Morny,” Ed Crisford said on Sky Sports Racing.

“It’s weather related and X,Y,Z but she’s an improving filly and did it very well in the Duchess of Cambridge and I think she’s got a lot more to give, she’s an exciting prospect.

“I think she could definitely stay seven (furlongs) this season but whether we just keep her to six as she’s a very relaxed filly (I don’t know), she can hit the front and prick her ears but she’s a lovely filly and York or Deauville will suit her.”

The Crisfords will also be involved at Deauville this weekend when the unbeaten Quddwah steps up to Group One company for the first time in the Prix Jacques le Marois.

Quddwah got up late to beat Docklands at Ascot in May
Quddwah got up late to beat Docklands at Ascot in May (Adam Davy/PA)

Twice a winner at Ascot this season already, he faces his toughest task to date.

Crisford said: “He’s been really good since Ascot and we’ve been really happy with his improvement this year coming through Listed and Group Two races. He’s very lightly-raced so he’s still got it all ahead of him.

“Now he’s going into the top level we’ll see where he sits at the table.

“He idles when he hits the front, he did that with Callum (Shepherd) last time while first time out he only just got there on the line – he can do it at home in his gallops, he just pricks his ears and says he’s done enough.

“So it is hard to gauge (how good he is) but he’s done nothing wrong in his four races, he’s a beautifully bred colt and it’s now time to see where we sit, he’s got all the qualities of being a proper candidate at Group One level.”



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