Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) will be given the chance to gain compensation for his “nightmare” run in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes when he makes his next intended appearance in the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, a race in which he filled the runner-up spot behind Paddington (GB) in 2023.
Trainer Jerome Reynier was optimistic of a prominent showing at Royal Ascot from his stable star, who was having his first start since winning the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in March. In the event, however, Facteur Cheval never looked likely to double his top-level tally, ultimately passing the post over eight lengths behind the winner, Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), in sixth place.
It's a performance which his trainer is keen to put a line through as he plots a return to Britain for the Goodwood highlight on Wednesday, July 31, with the way the race developed at Ascot going against his runner from an early stage.
“The tactics of following Big Rock [did not work] as at the three-furlong pole he had to make his effort on his own, which was impossible,” Reynier explained. “He needs someone [another horse] to rely on and he was just on his own. He's a fighter and when he won the Dubai Turf he came between horses and when Namur came on his outside he kept battling hard.
“He also lost a shoe, I think quite early in the race, so it was just a disaster and a nightmare.
“The plan is to go back to Goodwood because he ran so well there last year. Obviously the ground was very heavy and I think he is better with a bit of cut in the ground.”
Reynier enjoyed better luck at the meeting with his G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes runner-up Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), who is now being considered for a tilt at the G1 Juddmonte International following his career-best effort in defeat behind Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
One place behind Zarakem in the Prince of Wales's was his compatriot Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), another for whom the York feature on Wednesday, August 21 has been identified as a potential target, having delighted his connections at Ascot.
“We were very happy with our results during Royal Ascot week,” said Pauline Chehboub, racing manager for her family's Gousserie Racing operation who part-own the gelding.
“Horizon Dore ran a great race, mentally he grew a lot. Next time we can ride him more positively, depending on the draw. We have to decide the plan but he will have an entry for the Juddmonte International at York in August.”
Guarnieri Pencils in Deauville Date for Big Rock
Like Facteur Cheval, Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) proved a big disappointment when well held in the Queen Anne, having raced apart from the main body of the field.
A six-length winner of last year's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes when trained by Christopher Head, Big Rock now has a bit to prove after a pair of below-par efforts in 2024, having also finished down the field on his first start for Maurizio Guarnieri in the G1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
The four-year-old is likely to be seen back on home soil at Deauville when he makes his next start, according to Guarnieri, who hasn't ruled out a drop in class to help him rediscover his best form.
“He is okay after the race,” the trainer said. “But as you know he went on the right and most of the other horses were on the left. I think after five furlongs on a track that was very hard, the race was finished [for him].
“He will probably go to Deauville. I'm not sure if we go in the Group 1 [the Prix Jacques le Marois in which Big Rock filled the runner-up spot in 2023] or in a Group 3.”
Guarnieri also had news of the four-time Group 1 winner Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), another new recruit to his stable for this season in the ownership of Yeguada Centurion.
Having finished a close-up fifth on her return to action in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp, she was unable to build on that effort at Royal Ascot when coming home only seventh in the Prince of Wales's.
“With Blue Rose Cen we tried to win, but with a four-year-old filly in the first part of the year, it is very difficult to beat a big, champion colt like Auguste Rodin,” said Guarnieri. “We tried to beat a champion, but the champion is the champion and he is a very strong horse.
“For us it is better to run with fillies. She was a champion filly as a two-year-old and a three-year-old, but she never ran against colts and it's not so easy to go against horses like Auguste Rodin and all the others.
“Normally, she will go to Deauville for the Prix Jean Romanet on August 18.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
