HAMMERING IT HOME
Achieving notoriety beyond his own country when conquering a vintage renewal of the G1 Irish Champion S., Ecurie Antonio Caro's G1 Prix du Jockey-Club hero Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) showed up at Ascot on Saturday to confirm superiority over his middle-distance adversaries in the G1 Qipco Champion S. Needing all of the class and pace that had seen him overcome Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) at Leopardstown to free himself from a pocket in early straight, the 11-8 favourite was steered to the front by Christophe Soumillon as that Arc heroine emerged alongside approaching the furlong pole and quickly had her measure en route to a convincing two-length success. “He's a champion,” trainer Jean-Claude Rouget commented. “He had the perfect time, five weeks, between the two races and beat Found a little further today because I think she had the Arc in her legs and she's a champion too.”
Saturday, Ascot, Britain
QIPCO CHAMPION S.-G1, £1,300,000, ASC, 10-15, 3yo/up, 10fT, 2:05.94, gd.
1–ALMANZOR (FR), 126, c, 3, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Darkova, by Maria's Mon
2nd Dam: Darkara (Ire), by Halling
3rd Dam: Daralbayda (Ire), by Doyoun (Ire)
(€100,000 Ylg '14 ARAUG). O-Ecurie Antonio Caro & Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Haras d'Etreham (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Christophe Soumillon. £737,230. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr & Ire, 10-8-0-1, $3,042,729. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Found (Ire), 128, f, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Red Evie (Ire), by Intikhab. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Roncon, Wynatt & Chelston (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £279,500.[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]3–Jack Hobbs (GB), 131, c, 4, Halling–Swain's Gold, by Swain (Ire). (60,000gns Ylg '13 TAOCT). O-Godolphin & Partners; B-Minster Stud (GB); T-John Gosden. £139,880.[bullet ad=”blandford-bloodstock-purchased-by-2″]Margins: 2, 1 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.35, 2.50, 7.00.
Also Ran: My Dream Boat (Ire), The Grey Gatsby (Ire), Racing History (Ire), Midterm (GB), Us Army Ranger (Ire), Gabrial (Ire), Maverick Wave. Scratched: Fascinating Rock (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
This time last year, Almanzor was just the winner of the Listed Grand Criterium de Bordeaux with dreams of Ascot's Champions Day far from the mind of connections even though they believed they had a potentially talented colt on their hands. That estimation took a blow after he went to the G1 Criterium International strongly fancied only to trail in seventh in that seven-furlong Saint-Cloud feature in November, but Jean-Claude Rouget maintained faith as he proved by bringing him back for the premier French Guineas trial, the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau. Third in that mile contest at Chantilly Apr. 20 and looking in need of further, the key was starting to turn in the lock as he made all in the G3 Prix de Guiche over nine furlongs back at that venue May 10 and he lined up for the G1 Prix du Jockey Club a now scarcely-believable 20-1. Relishing the 10 1/2-furlong trip of that June 5 Chantilly Classic, he was underestimated for the last time in France when adding the G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano to his tally off a break over this trip at Deauville Aug. 15.
After Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) had proven her class against the colts minutes earlier, it was clear that the form of the Irish Champion had as much virtue as it appeared at the time and Almanzor attracted strong support as he drew more admirers with his physique in the parade ring. Last year's winner Fascinating Rock (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) was withdrawn, leaving him an even stronger-looking favourite but Christophe Soumillon had a potentially tricky inside draw to deal with in what promised to be a tactical affair. Ridden from the break to get up into the pack and avoid being trapped at the back, the handsome bay demonstrated how far he has come mentally as he has matured as he proved much more settled than in his earlier days. Gaining an ideal spot in fifth against the fence after the first half mile, his biggest issue then was the threat of being holed up with Found able to gain a clear run out wide. With the less-than-exacting early pace folding ahead and Racing History (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and The Grey Gatsby (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) making a wall dead ahead in early straight, he was angled out to hook up with Found and quickly mastered her before drawing away late to win in straightforward fashion.
Soumillon, who partnered Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}) to glory in the inaugural Champion S. here in 2011, has long been the winner's greatest admirer and said, “He's an amazing horse and everything you do with him, he makes it look easy. He is nearly unbeatable now and is getting smarter and smarter. I was trying to get a good position early and unfortunately I had to go on the inside, but when I came out I knew he was going to give me something. I got there a bit early, but I knew how strong Found is and luckily he kept going. I am sure he will stay a mile and a half in time, as he is a strong horse.” Rouget has a tilt at the 2017 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in mind for Almanzor and added, “I wanted to keep him at this distance for now, as we keep him for next year and we'll see if he goes to the Arc then or not. He'll have a good rest now for the winter and we'll see where we go in the spring. He was quite a backward horse who didn't show he was a group horse, but he has improved from race to race and with each he got better.”
Aidan O'Brien was delighted with the effort of Found, who was finishing in the first two at this level on a remarkable 13th occasion. “She's a great mare and she still kept coming with her head down,” he commented. “Ryan gave her a great ride, as she was drawn out wide which is a difficult enough place. She looked great and was well in herself. I'm not sure about the Breeders' Cup, the lads will have to talk about that. Highland Reel will be going for the Turf, so I'm not sure if she will go. The climate is different from last year, as it will be very fast ground.” John Gosden said of Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling), who stayed on to fill the same position as last year, “It's great to have the old boy back, as it has been a long road with him and we know he's a mile-and-a-half horse. He's run a blinder and will go to Dubai for the Sheema Classic.”
Darkova is a daughter of Darkara, a listed winner over 12 furlongs who is a half to the dam of the miling luminary and European Champion Darjina (Fr) (Zamindar). She racked up wins in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, G1 Prix du Moulin and G1 Prix d'Astarte, while the G3 Prix Minerve-winning fourth dam Daralinsha (Empery) is the second dam of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero in Darsi (Fr). While Wootton Bassett has injected serious speed into this pedigree, it is clear that it is one of His Highness The Aga Khan and his daughter Zahra's more stamina-influential families. Now that Almanzor is relaxing in his races, another 12 months of strengthening should see him a force to be reckoned with in the Arc. His dam also has a 2-year-old full-sister and a foal full-brother to come, with the former named Troarn (Fr), as well as a yearling colt by Falco.
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