One Master doubles up
Pierre-Charles Boudot had been the main man all weekend and he made sure that ParisLongchamp stayed in the palm of his hand by guiding Lael Stable’s One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock) to a second consecutive success in the G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret.
“I’ve been waiting for soft ground and seven furlongs all year and the ground is a key factor, as she loves it like it is today,” trainer William Haggas said. “The jockey is on fire, which is a great help also and the mare was in top form.
“I think she’s got a bit quicker this year, so the plan is to go back to six furlongs and hope for similarly testing conditions in the six-furlong race at Ascot [the October 19 G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint]. Then that will be it for the season," added Haggas.
Slippers wins, Battaash struggles
As far as clear-cut winners on the Arc card went, it was the surprise package Glass Slippers (GB) (Dream Ahead {USA}) who won the award as she cut a magisterial figure in the G1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp. With the 9-10 favourite and sprint division deity Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) drastically failing to fire in the testing ground.
“She is not big, but she has a huge heart. I didn’t really have any plan, I just knew she would be able to do it. She was well placed and I just let her bowl along," said jockey Tom Eaves.
Another One for Shamardal
Not content with having two unbeaten Group 1 winning sons of Shamardal (USA) in Pinatubo (Ire) and Earthlight (Ire), Godolphin now have a third as Victor Ludorum (GB) (Shamardal {USA}) emerged on top in the G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.
“He’s obviously a very good horse and he won well, so he ends his season in great style,” trainer Andre Fabre said. “I’ll have to discuss it with Sheikh Mohammed, but personally I would like to aim him at next year’s French Classics–the Poulains and the Jockey Club. He is an easy-going horse who never shows much at home, is relaxed and quiet and easy to ride. He’s neat and has a beautiful action. He is a bit of a Mill Reef type.”
Albigna prevails
It was a case of another Group 1 race for 2-year-old fillies, another win for the Jessie Harrington stable as the Niarchos Family’s Albigna (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) overcame testing ground to stamp her authority on the Arc card’s opening Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac.
The operation’s Alan Cooper was basking in the taking of yet another major prize on this fixture for one of France’s most distinguished racing brands. “We have always held her in the highest esteem and she had been showing great things at home,” he said.
“Last time, when she ran a moderate race she was in season and feeling uncomfortable. Before the race, she was even trying to bite her flanks, so that’s the reason why she ran badly. We are obviously delighted that she has proven herself at the highest level and has done what we expected, so we are full of hope for next season.”
Home nation joy
Villa Marina (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) held off Fleeting (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) to take the G1 Prix de l’Opera Longines.
“She won in good style today and is a very brave filly who hasn’t stopped improving," said trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias. "She will definitely not stay in training next year, as the owner is a breeder but if all is well in the next few days there is a very good possibility that she will go for the [November 2 GI] Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.”
Blue Prize upsets Elate
Blue Prize (Arg) (Pure Prize) sat last of five in Sunday’s G1 Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland, but displayed a telling burst in the final furlong and a half to successfully defend her title in the nine-furlong test, a ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifier for the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita November 3.
“To tell you that I thought I was going to beat Elate (USA), I would be lying,” said winning trainer Ignacio Correas. “I thought she was sitting on a great race. She was coming into form. When we went to Saratoga, we were looking to put her in winning mode. We accomplished that. I thought if [jockey Joe Bravo] could relax her and if she had a target, she’s going to run big.”
Liam's Map on fire
Wicked Whisper (USA) (Liam’s Map {USA}) became her first season sire’s second Group 1 winner with an impressive front-running victory in the G1 Frizette S. at Belmont Park on Sunday. The win earned the filly a berth in next month’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Wicked Whisper was the priciest of 64 yearlings by her first-crop sire Liam’s Map (Unbridled’s Song {USA}) to sell last year when she sold for US$500,000 at Keeneland September. In addition to G1 Runhappy Hopeful S. winner Basin (USA), the Lane’s End stallion is also the sire of stakes-placed Song River (USA).
No stopping Sistercharlie
Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) won her sixth straight Group 1 event with an authoritative 1l victory in the G1 Flower Bowl S. at Belmont Park.
“We’re very lucky to have her,” trainer Chad Brown said of the winner. “She did everything she needed to do. She was 0-for-2 at Belmont going in. Even though it was only by short margins both times to two other of our nice horses, she was nevertheless winless here. The case could be made that this isn’t her favorite course, but she got the job done.”
Son of Pharoah impresses
Four Wheel Drive (USA) (American Pharoah {USA}) coasted home to victory in the G3 Futurity S. at Belmont Park. The six-furlong race is a ‘Win and You’re In’ event for the GII Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Four Wheel Drive could become the first Breeders’ Cup starter for Sam Ross and Mike Hall’s Breeze Easy, which was forced to scratch G2 Norfolk S. winner Shang Shang Shang (USA) (Shanghai Bobby {USA}) the morning of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. “Hopefully, he comes out of the race well,” said Hall. “It will be our first Breeders’ Cup starter. We had Shang Shang Shang last year, but she came up a little off the day of the race, so hopefully, this one makes the dream come true.”
