Advertise Wins the Maurice de Gheest

Making it a dozen group 1 wins this summer, Frankie Dettori had Advertise (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) to aid his cause of streaking through the major European events in Deauville's G1 Larc Prix Maurice de Gheest on Sunday. Occupying 11-5 favouritism in this unique 6 1/2-furlong test, Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited's G1 Commonwealth Cup and G1 Phoenix S. hero and G1 July Cup runner-up travelled strongly behind compatriot Pretty Pollyanna (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) who provided an ideal lead in the dominant group racing furthest from the rail. Taking over approaching the furlong pole, the blinkered bay wandered around in the clear but when pressed by the 2017 winner Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) gave an extra surge to prevail by a neck, with 3/4 of a length back to another British raider in Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). “He's a lovely horse who was in tremendous form and two furlongs from home I had to take a pull, as he idles in front,” Frankie said. “When I saw the others coming I kicked and he showed a good turn of foot. He felt Brando coming and took off again, but I was alone for a while and there to be shot at. He's a proper horse and deserved it.”

Meeting defeat only twice in five starts as a 2-year-old, Advertise was second to Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot in June and to Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) with the Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in behind in the G1 Dewhurst S. at Newmarket in October. In between those, he had shown true sprinter's speed when annexing the G2 July S. at the latter venue and the Phoenix at The Curragh but Martyn Meade remained convinced he would see out the mile of the G1 2000 Guineas well enough to be a factor. As it turned out, his yard's lull in form during the time he tackled the May 4 Newmarket Classic meant that his soundly-beaten 15th was inconclusive, but it is highly likely that he lacked the requisite stamina in any case.

Blinkered for the first time and reverting to six furlongs for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot June 21, he showed his familiar dash to stamp some authority on a renewal which is looking stronger every day. The fourth home Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never) bettered him in the July Cup at Newmarket July 13, the fifth Royal Intervention (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) went on to take the G3 Summer S. and the seventh Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was the winner of Saturday's Stewards' Cup. This was remarkably straightforward for Advertise, with last year's winner Polydream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and Space Blues isolated towards the stands away from the main action and Pretty Pollyanna drawing the sting from everything in her pursuing pack.

“To win three group ones is fantastic and he ranks as one of the best I've trained,” Meade commented. “Last time in the July Cup, he didn't break too well but this was over further and he stays–that's his strength. He's done very well and will be retired at the end of the season, so I want the best for him and won't throw him in a race just because he has a chance. We'll try to spot the right ones and he'll run once or twice more. Maybe he could travel to America for the Breeders' Cup, we'll see later on. There are lots of options and the [G1 Prix de la] Foret [at ParisLongchamp Oct. 6] is also a possibility.”

Brando was storming back to at least close to his peak and his trainer Kevin Ryan was felling the usual mixed feelings in such instances. “He's run a great race and it's great to see him bounce back,” he said. “It's always hard to finish second, but we are delighted really as this was probably a better race than we won two years ago. He has proven he is still there and when I saddled him I knew he'd run his race. Sometimes he can be a litle bit edgy, but he was very relaxed today and I'd imagine next it will be the [Sept. 7 G1] Haydock Sprint Cup and then on to Ascot for [the Oct. 19 G1 British Champions Sprint] on Champions day.” Charlie Appleby said of the third, “This was another solid run from Space Blues–there are no excuses, as he was beaten by two group one performers. Potentially, we could try sprint races–the pace today was on the other side rather than his unfortunately.”

Advertise's dam Furbelow (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) is a full-sister to the stakes scorer Red Diadem (GB) and a half to Adorn (GB) by Pivotal's son Kyllachy (GB) who is in turn the dam of the G2 Richmond S. winner Saayerr (GB) and Friday's G3 King George V S. third Ornate (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}). Also responsible for the useful sprint handicapper Flavius Titus (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}), she is a granddaughter of Heart of Joy (Lypheor) who was successful in four graded-stakes events and was also runner-up in the G1 English and Irish 1000 Guineas. She has the unraced 2-year-old filly Publicise (GB) (Dream Ahead), a yearling full-brother to Flavius Titus and a filly foal by Ulysses (Ire) to come.

Sunday, Deauville, France
LARC PRIX MAURICE DE GHEEST-G1, €380,000, Deauville, 8-4, 3yo/up, 6fT, 1:15.33, gd.
1–ADVERTISE (GB), 125, c, 3, by Showcasing (GB)
1st Dam: Furbelow (GB), by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: Red Tiara, by Mr. Prospector
3rd Dam: Heart of Joy, by Lypheor (GB)
(£60,000 Ylg '17 GOUKPR). O-Phoenix Thoroughbred Ltd 1; B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Martyn Meade; J-Lanfranco Dettori. €217,132. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng & Ire, 9-5-3-0, €1,012,748. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Brando (GB), 129, g, 7, Pivotal (GB)–Argent Du Bois, by Silver Hawk. (52,000gns Ylg '13 TAOCT; 115,000gns 2yo '14 TATBRE). O-Mrs Angie Bailey; B-Car Colston Hall Stud (GB); T-Kevin Ryan. €86,868.
3–Space Blues (Ire), 125, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Miss Lucifer (Fr), by Noverre. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. €43,434.
Margins: NK, 3/4, HD. Odds: 2.20, 48.00, 5.80.
Also Ran: Spinning Memories (Ire), One Master (GB), Pretty Pollyanna (GB), Polydream (Ire), So Perfect, Fox Champion (Ire), Mr Lupton (Ire), Le Brivido (Fr), King Malpic (Fr), Invincible Army (Ire), Munitions, Namos (Ger). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.