By Emma Berry
Nurlan Bizakov's Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is on course in his bid to enhance an already excellent record this season with a crack at the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois on August 11.
The Roger Varian-trained four-year-old has been one of the stars of the year in Britain, kicking off with a win in the Listed Doncaster Mile on the opening day of the turf season before going on to victory in the G2 Bet365 Mile and G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was also second to Audience (GB) in the G1 Lockinge Stakes.
Charyn took to the July Course for a racecourse gallop on Thursday morning with Silvestre de Sousa in the saddle, as he has been for each of the colt's starts this year. Working over six and half furlongs, the grey breezed past his lead horse in the final furlong of the gallop, with both trainer and jockey declaring themselves to be pleased with the morning's exercise.
“He's heading to Deauville for the Jacques Le Marois and he looks in great form,” Varian told TDN.
“That's always been the plan. We took him out of the Sussex [Stakes] a little while ago to focus on the one plan and I can't see any reason why Deauville shouldn't suit him. That gallop will bring him on. Silvestre was happy with him and he looks in really good shape.”
Charyn, who was bred by Grangemore Stud and bought by Bizakov's Sumbe operation as a yearling, has already been successful in France, having won the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte at Chantilly two years ago. He posted some decent efforts in defeat during his three-year-old season, including finishing third behind Paddington (GB) in last year's Sussex Stakes and third to Angel Bleu (Fr) in the G2 Celebration Mile.
The latter, who is also a son of Dark Angel, is already installed on the Sumbe stallion roster at Haras de Montfort et Preaux in Normandy. With a burgeoning presence in France, Bizakov, who also owns Hesmonds Stud in England, now stands four stallions and sponsors the entire card on Sumbe Prix Morny day at Deauville.
Varian added of Charyn, whose efforts this season have guaranteed him an eventual berth in the Sumbe stallion yard, “He's a horse with a really good constitution and a great mind. We've got 11 days to go so helpfully we'll have a smooth passage between now and the race, but we're very happy with him. He's right on schedule.”
Nurlan Bizakov's laidback and rather lovely Charyn took to the July Course this morning in the company of @SilvDSousa and his trainer @varianstable as he prepares for his next G1 run in the Prix Jacques Le Marois. pic.twitter.com/WqRY2Knjwj
— Emma Berry (@CollingsBerry) August 1, 2024
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