Jockey William Buick will ride this year's G1 Cazoo Derby and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. winner Adayar (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the Oct. 3 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, should both he and Charlie Appleby stablemate Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) line up at ParisLongchamp. Hurricane Lane finished third in the Derby and has since gone on to win the G1 Irish Derby, G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 St Leger.
Both colts will work on Saturday, with Hurricane Lane's Arc status to be decided next week.
“A week is a long time in racing, particularly when you are coming into a race such as the Arc,” said Appleby. “We obviously have to take on board the well-being of both horses, but also the way the race is taking shape, and, very importantly, the ground at Longchamp. The one thing Hurricane Lane does not want is a quick surface. Adayar comes into the versatile category, but we have always felt ease in the ground enhances Hurricane Lane's prospects. Unfortunately, the weather in Paris is out of our hands.
“Hurricane Lane gallops [on Saturday]. Adayar will also gallop. Then there will be discussions with the team, and we will see where we stand during the week, whether we will have one or two Arc runners.”
Of Buick's decision, Appleby said, “It's a hard choice, but William is confident he's picking the right horse. I'm always happy for jockeys to be able to choose the horse they would like to ride. That means they have confidence in the horse and they take that into the race. James [Doyle] will partner Hurricane Lane in a simple piece of work tomorrow. Then discussions will take place next week on his participation.
“The exciting part is that it could be history in the making. Adayar has already made his mark becoming the first in 20 years to complete the Derby/King George double, while Hurricane Lane would be attempting something that's never been done, winning the St Leger and the Arc in the same year.”
Nominating the horse he sees as the greatest threat, Appleby said, “Fillies at this time of the year, if they are going in the right direction, can be very hard to beat. Tarnawa is a Group 1 winner over course and distance [in the Prix Vermeille], she's a Breeders' Cup winner and finished a very good second in the Irish Champion S. Her credentials are first class.”
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