50 Horses To Follow This French Flat Turf Racing Season
The French Flat Turf horse racing season finally has been able to get underway and with that in mind we have previewed 50 horses to follow this season.
For the start of the season races in France will be restricted to local horses only, so if you are looking for clues to the big early season races including the French 1000 and 2000 Guineas, the winner could be within these 50 horses!
The French look to have a very exciting crop of 3-year old colts with the Godolphin pair Victor Ludorum and Earthlight both with Andre Fabre alongside the new stable recruit from Germany, Alson.
In the mares, the Classic generation doesn’t look quite as strong with no Group 1 winner among them. The best at this stage look to be Marieta (M. Delcher-Sanchez), Flighty Lady (G. Hernon) and the Group 2 winner Tropbeau (a. Fabre) who was also 3rd in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket!
This preview looks at those who are more under the radar.
THREE YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS
Alfareeq
– Trainer: F. Head
– Owner: Hamdan Al Maktoum
Having run only once at 2 when finishing runner-up to the unbeaten Roberto Mount, Alfareeq got off the make in fine fashion in late February on the Deauville sand over 1,900 meters.
Whilst the winning distance was only a length and a half it was a very cosy win. A son of Dark Angel, Alfareeq is the first son of the mare Urjuwaan who herself was a winner on the All Weather and beat the following seasons French Derby winner New Bay when doing so. He could be a lively contender for the 2,000 Guineas on 1st June.
Amour En Poeme
– Trainer: A. Schütz
– Owner: J. Abdullah
Still a maiden Amour En Poeme has competed twice over 1,400 meters. Fifth on debut at the end of September, he took a step forward on his last start at Longchamp on October 20th when going down by a three-quarters of a length to King Pacha.
The form of that run looks strong with the fourth and fifth winning since, so this son of Poet’s Voice certainly looks a winner in waiting. Still entered into the 2,000 Guineas, it would be doubtful he takes up that entry. He is from a good Wertheimer family being out of a placed half sister the the group 3 winning Xenobia.
Another Sky
– Trainer: F. Head
– Owner: G. Strawbridge
Another Sky made his debut in early March this year 3 at Chantilly and visually was very impressive when winning by 4 ½ lengths. None of those he beat that day had run previously or since so the value of that form is yet to be determined.
As well as the impressive debut the breeding is also top class. His father Le Havre has already delivered champions and his dam is Darkova who delivered the European Champion Almanzor who was also trained by Fredy Head.
Botch
– Trainer: C. Ferland (also 10% owner)
– Owners: Ecurie Mill Reef, Ecurie M. Moczulski
Botch is a three-year-old chestnut gelding by Fuisse is a half-brother to the successful sprinter Cox Bazar who was a listed level winner in France and raced in England for Ivan Furtado.
Costing €36,000 as a yearling he started on the sand at the end of January in Pau where he was a close fourth. He won on his next start at Cagnes over 1300 meters on February 19th. Botch is one of the best-looking horses in training and should be equally effective on turf and can step up in class.
Brandtmann
– Trainer: Mme P. Brandt
– Owner: BLC Horseracing SC
Brandtmann has run twice and placed on both occasions. At the end of November the Zoffany son was a well beaten third behind Roberto Mount and Alfareeq but with those two looking to be Black Type performers this now looks strong form.
He should of then won on his last start at Chantilly on December 23rd when going down by a short neck to Mirage Hero. He is impeccably bred with his dam being an unraced Galileo who has no less than seven Black Type siblings, including the great Giant’s Causeway. Whilst he will be no Giant’s Causeway, judged on his 2 year-old form he will be successful this year.
Crew Dragon
– Trainer: M. Delcher-Sanchez
– Owner: B. Van Dalfsen
The Poet’s Voice son Crew Dragon was not able to make his €75,000 reserve as a yearling and thus still runs in the colours of his breeder Berend Van Dalfsen.
He started his career at the beginning of April 2019 where he was second to My Love’s Passion who placed 2nd behind A’Ali in the Group 2 Robert Papin. Given a break after this, he was slightly disappointing when next seen finishing fifth in October. The following month he made his last start of the season where he was successful on the turf at Chantilly over 1,200 meters beating the decent Derdas. He has a Guineas entry name but could be better suited to sprinting distances.
Dawn Intello
– Trainer: A. Schütz
– Owner: J. Abdullah
Dawn Intello cost €57,000 as a yearling with his grandmother being the John Gosden trained Sulk who won the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac at the age of two.
Connections have high hopes for this son of Intello with entries for the Group 1 Chantilly-Derby on July 5th and Grand Prix de Paris on September 13th. Dawn Intello won on his sole start with two of his opponents that day having won since. He has run once this year, finishing 3rd in a conditions race and can be expected to build on that in his next start to be able to compete at Group level later in the year.
Enzel
– Trainer: M. Delzangles
– Owner: SA Aga Khan
Not much was expected from this son of Intello when he made his debut on November 22nd in Saint-Cloud but he blew the field away to win by 20 lengths and thus entered every Frenchman’s notebook that day.
That win was over 2,000 meters (1m2f) and thus will be one for the longer distances with the Grand Prix de Paris the long-term target.
Something was clearly a miss when he made his first start of the year and finished last at Saint-Cloud in May. He’s not worth writing off yet but probably best watched o his next start.
Frohsim
– Trainer: C. Ferland
– Owner: Ecurie Normandie Pur Sang
Frohsim went unsold as a yearling which considering he is the first foal of the mare Tistane who is a half-sister to the Group 1 placed and Group 3 winner Varevees is a surprise. This Dabirsim son had 2 runs as a two year old where he finished 1st and then 4th.
He’s obviously progressed substantially through the winter kicking off his 3 year old season with 2 victories on the sand over 1,900 metres with Lord Achilles finishing behind him in 2nd on both occasions. His most recent victory was a Deauville Class One conditions race on March 6th which was easily his best run to date. With German owners it would be no surprise to see him run in the German Derby later in the year.
Further Measure
– Trainer: P. Bary
– Owner: K. Abdullah
Unraced at 2, this son of English Channel has had one start this year where he was 5th to the Andre Fabre gelding Rajani where he was given very much an educational ride.
Out the back the whole way, when asked he closed well to finish just 1 ¼ lengths behind the winner under hands and heals. He comes from a good Judmonte family with his half brother Price Range a winner on the All Weather and 4th in a Group 3. He is out of Price Tag who was a Grade 1 winner in America when winning the Matriach Stakes.
Healer
– Trainer: F. Head
– Owner: Hamdan Al Maktoum
Healer was not widely fancied to win on debut and wore the 2nd colours for prominent owner the Wertheimer family. Slow out of the stalls he soon settled in midfield and whilst he was one of the first under pressure showed a great attitude to get up on the line by a short-head with the more fancied Wertheimer runner finishing in 7th.
He’s had one run so far this year, when a close 4th at Marseille. It wasn’t a great ride from his jockey on that occassion and was given far too much to do.
The Medicean son is out of a listed placed mare who once fetched $800,000. He’ll soon win again.
Irshad
– Trainer: M. Delzangles
– Owner: SA Aga Khan
It wasn’t until November that Irshad made his racecourse debut at Saint-Cloud over 7 furlongs but it was worth the wait as and he fairly bolted up in heavy conditions.
The form of that has been upgraded since with the third; Spirit Intime a winner next time out this year. Likely to be first seen in a Classic Trial, pedigree suggests the Grand Prix de Paris wouldn’t be out of the question also. The worry would be that he needs soft ground to be soon to best effect.
Ketil
– Trainer: P. Bary (also 20% owner)
– Owner: AK Cooper (30%) and Flaxman Stables (50%)
Like his father Karakontie, Ketil runs in the famous colours of the Niarchos family though whether he can emulate him and win three Group 1’s will be a tough ask!
He is out of an unraced mare who had two black type siblings. We saw him three times last year which culminated in two victories sandwiching a down the field Listed effort. The most recent of those wins was on November 26th where he switched to sand and moved up to 1900m. Beating previous winners Gelinka and Yoker he’ll no doubt find success this year and holds three group 1 entries.
Mare Australis
– Trainer: A. Fabre
– Owner: Schlenderhan Stud
Mare Australis is another who has moved from Germany to be under the care of Andre Fabre. He was well fancied to win on debut last year going off at Evens and whilst being very green he got away with it getting up near the line. The son of Australia is out of a listed placed mare who’s other offspring have yet to do much.
He made his first start at May but could only manage 4th where he was outwide the whole way and stayed on well again near the end. That was over 2100 meters and he should appreciate a further step up in trip so could end up back in his native Germany for the Derby and be Anre Fabre’s first runner in the race
Moujik
– Trainer: J.-C. Rouget
– Owner: A. Jathiere
Just one run for Moujik last year when winning a small race at Toulouse in October. That form has been boosted substantially with the horse he beat comfortably into 2nd that day Waltham rattling off a hattrick of victories since.
Should Moujik progress at the same rate of this yard stick then big things can be expected. It would be no surprise to see this one winning first time out off a lengthy break.
Moving On
– Trainer: A. Marcialis
– Owner: Mme R. Hillen
Only 8th of 16 when making his debut at Chantilly in early February this son of Kendargent has not run since. With a clear run he would of finished a lot closer and is definitely worth a second look when next seen!
National Service
– Trainer: G. Hernon
– Owner: Mme E. Gilliar
The gelded National Service has had one run to date when winning easily at Chantilly in December. That form has been boosted with the 2nd Stanzo winning on his next start.
The Elusive City son doesn’t have the greatest pedigree but visually is very impressive and should be competing in Listed and Group races in his career. Before that he’ll be able to pick up his share of handicaps.
Nat King
– Trainer: C. Laffon-Parias (also 33% owner)
– Owner: Loughtown Stud Ltd
Nat King makes a great deal of appeal on pedigree with his dam being a half-sister to the tough sprinter The Trader who won at Group 2 level and ran at Group 1.
This son of Nathaniel was himself victorious on debut at Deauville on the turf at the end of October. He made his seasonal reappearance at the same track on the polytrack in March but could only finish 3 of 6. That was in a Class 1 Conditions event which went the way of the classy Frohism. He won’t be bumping in to that level of horse every week so will find plenty of winable opportunities. He ran again in May in a Group 3 over 1m 1f but couldn’t land a blow. He has Group 1 entries but will need to improve before then to see him take up those entries. A drop on trip could bring out an improvement in him.
Ocean Atlantique
– Trainer: A. Fabre, Magnier
– Owner: Smith & Tabor and Coolmore
This $275,000 yearling went on to make €1.1 million less than a year later when being sold to Coolmore. We saw this son of American Pharoah twice last year, 2nd on debut and he followed that up with an 8 length facile success. The form of that has yet to be proven to be anything but average but with three Group 1 entries targerts certainly remain high.
He made a pleasing reappearance in May when 2nd in a Group 3 at Longchamp in May, pulling way clear of the 3rd.
Reshabar
– Trainer: M. Münch
– Owner: E. Schwaiger
Reshabar is the first foal of a German winner who was also the half sister to the Group 3 winning Nathra. Making his debut on September he didn’t look ready to be winning races and subsequently could only finish 8th.
When next seen on November he looked a different horse in the paddock and could only find the decent Restiany too good. Those who saw that race were hopefully richly rewarded in May when he won easily at 59/1. He’s still in the Guineas and has probably earned his spot after his recent win.
Restiany
– Trainer: H.-A. Pantall
– Owner: G. Pariente
Restiany is one of only a few Frankel runners currently in France and is out of the Group 2 winning mare Restiadargent, who also finished 3rd behind Black Caviar in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot.
His debut can be best forgotten in May last year and after a short break won well over the Chantilly mile in November. He is also likely to improve on Turf and will try to qualify in trials for the 2,000 Guineas and then test his Derby credentials.
Roberto Mount
– Trainer: Rod. Collet
– Owner: M. & Mme G. Robinson
Roberto Mount is a half-brother to possibly Hungary’s greatest ever horse, the speedster Overdose who came close to landing the Kings Stand in 2011.
Whether he gets to that level remains to be seen but Roberto Mount enters his 3 year old season with a perfect 2 from 2 record. Both runs are rock solid form with Alfareeq behind in November and then beating the useful Lindy Lou in December. The 2000 Guineas looks to be the short term aim.
Samuraj
– Trainer: Mme. C. Fey
– Owner: T. Raber
Samuraj is certainly not the easiest of rides and it has taken him 10 attempts to break his maiden tag which he was able to do on his last start in March at Fontainebleau. He wore blinkers on that occasion which could be the key to him. Even with them applied he was wandering across the straight mile but just held on by a head at the line. Whilst he has run a fair bit, he’s off a winnable mark so will be winning again when he has conditions to suit.
Tibasti
– Trainer: R. Le Dren Doleuze
– Owner: E. Salem Ab Elhrar
The €21,000 paid as a yearling for this son of Dabirsim looks a good investment after his two year old season saw four runs yielding two wins and a 2nd.
He’s had one run in May where he finished down the field in Listed company. That run drew resemblance to his first run as a two year old so should improve greatly for it.
Waltham
– Trainer: C. Ferland
– Owner: Mme M.-Th. Dubuc-Grassa 75%. M Horse Racing 25%
Waltham is just 11/1 for the Prix Du Jockey Club after completing a hat trick of victories from his 3 starts in March with the last of those being at listed level where he beat the Group 1 winner Mkfancy in the process.
This Wootton Bassett son cost €110,000 as a yearling and comes from a very good family and is a half sister to Baine who finished 2nd in the Group 1 Poule D’Essai Des Pouliches in 2010. Whilst all his wins have been on the All Weather, you’d expect to see Waltham test his credentials on turf before too long.
Three year old FILLIES
Bebeautiful
– Trainer: F. Rossi
– Owner: L. Le Metayer
A half sister to Gordon Lord Byron, Bebeautiful was 2nd on both runs at 2. She has already run 3 times the year and won on each occasion. All of those were on the sand with the last at Deauville in March.
She went unsold as a yearling when failing to make €35,9000 and can hopeful compete at Group level for her small owners.
Bionic Woman
– Trainer: A. Fabre
– Owner: Godolphin
Godolphin’s Bionic Woman is a full brother to the Group 1 winner Blue De Vega and fetched €800,000 as a yearling.
A winner on her 2nd of 3 starts last year she was last season on Arc weekend where she finished 4th in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac. Her pedigree suggests that she should be even better at three. She has had one run so far this year when rather underwhelming though its too early to write her off.
Chorba
– Trainer: J.-C. Rouget
– Owner: Al Shaqab Racing
As a half-sister to the four-year-old Spirit Of Brittany who was a Group 3 winner, Chorba was a short price favourite when making her debut on December 14th in Deauville in a field full of newcomers over 1,900 meters. She was a very easy winner and looks a good type for the Prix Saint-Alary instead of going for the 1,000 Guineas before the Prix de Diane.
She looked like she needed the runon her sole start a three when finishing midfield at Longchamp in May.
Emoji
– Trainer: F.-H. Graffard
– Owner: Team Valor
Bought back by her breeder for just €3,000 she looks like the one that got away. Impressive at Baden-Baden in mid-October on her only run last year she returned in March at Saint Cloud with a Listed win. According to the owner, she’ll be competing in France and if possible, in the top Mares races in Germany including the the Diana.
She reappeared in May in a Group3 where she went off odds on but could only finish 2nd. She was ridden quite aggreesively that day and weakend inside the final furlong. It wasn’t a bad performance but you wouldn’t be surprised to see more patient tactics used next time.
Hidaka
– Trainer: A. Fabre
– Owner: Wertheimer & Frere
An impressive pedigree, Hidaka is a Deep Impact and First foal of a Listed French winner who was a half sister to the 1m2f Group 1 winner Queen’s Jewel.
Her only run so far was on August 20th where she easily beat her field. Group 1 mentions for Saint-Alary and Diane indicate that Hidaka may return over longer distances.
Hilala
– Trainer: J.-C. Rouget.
– Owner: Al Shaqab Racing
A winner on the sand at Deauville at the end of November, Hilala was back there for her one start at three on February 29th where she delivered a convincing Class 2 success.
The Toronado daughter looks to have a lot of stamina, so should be looking at something like the Prix Saint-Alary before tackling the Prix de Diane.
Irska
– Trainer: M. Nigge
– Owner: L. Bongen
Irska left quite an impression to those who were there at Chantilly on March 3rd with a pillar to post success.
She followed that up on her sole start this year with an easy success in May. You’d imagine she’ll soon step up in class to claim that all important black type.
Jamilya
– Trainer: F. Chappet
– Owner: R. Shaykhutdinov
Jamilya looked the winner for a long way on debut in March but ultimately was too green and went down by just a neck to the potentially top class Mary’s France.
The daughter of the new stallion superstar Kingman, is a striking grey like her grandmother Albanova, who caused a sensation in Germany in 2004 with a group 1 hat trick. Jamilya’s first success should therefore only be a matter of time.
Karlarina
– Trainer: Mme. S. Nigge
– Owner: Chevotel Racing
Still a maiden after 4 runs, Karlarina was 7th of 15 on her most recent start in May. She should improve greatly for that and will soon drop that maiden tag.
Khayzaraan
– Trainer: J.-C. Rouget
– Owner: Hamdan Al Maktoum
Khayzaraan is a half sister to the three time Group 3 winning Tantheem and based on her runs to date should well win at that level. The Kingman daughter started at 1,200 meters at the end of July where she could only finish ninth but then won both of her other starts at two, the last of those was effortless in a Chantilly Class 2.
She has three Group 1 entries but finished stone last on her only run at three in a Group 3 in May. She went off favourite that day so connections clearly think a lot of her so in truth it probably wasn’t her true running.
La Golden Havana
– Trainer: G. Alimpinsis
– Owner: R. Shaykhutdinov
A first foal of a placed mother who is from the family of Group 1 winner Gonara.
She has run just the once when 2nd behind the unbeaten Hilala in November at Deauville. Hilala is top class so it’s no question La Golden Havana will be a winner before too long.
Love And Thunder
– Trainer: A. Fabre.
– Owner: Papillon Stables
Love And Thunder went off at odds when making her debut in late November but had to settle for a close 2nd behind Golden Crown. That form has been boosted since with many in behind having win since.
She has multiple Group 1 entries so will likely be seen in a trial for those soon if the plan is still to be aimed at them.
Mary’s France
– Trainer: C. & Y. Lerner (both also 60% owners)
– Owners: N. Saltiel
Mary’s France cost €65,000 as a yearling and was unraced at 2 but made an early start at 3 winning at Chantilly in March. Whilst it was a field full of newcomers, there were a lot of well bred sorts so the form should hold some purpose.
She is well bred herself with her dam a winner at Listed Level and her grandmother is, among other things, the great-grandmother of the Derby winner Sottsass. Sottsass appeared on most peoples radar as a three year old, and so Mary’s France could have a big year ahead.
Miss Vienna
– Trainer: Mme. C. Fey (also half owner)
– Owner: Mme. C. Post-Schultzke
Miss Vienna was third on her only run when finishing two lengths behind Anca and Alkandora at Longchamp. She had to make the running that day and was only beat late on. Whilst her mother was once listed placed, Miss Vienna went unsold as a yearling. She is entered in the Diane and whilst its not an impossible feat for her to run she will be needing to break her maiden tag soon.
Moasa
– Trainer: A. Schütz
– Owner: Ecurie Normandy Pur Sang
The daughter of Dabirsim didn’t get off to the best of starts in her career when only eighth in a provincial race before being transferred to Andreas Schütz. Her first run for this trainer saw an immediate up turn in form when she third at the end of September. She then improved for her last run of the year when a neck 2nd to Dream On at Chantilly in November. It remains to be seen whether she is good enough for her Group 1 entries but in the short term she’ll certainly be winning at a lower grade.
Porcelaine
– Trainer: F. Chappet
– Owner: Mme A.-M. Hayes
Porcelaine was very impressive when winning on her sole appearance at 2 with a start to finish success. She is well related with siblings including 2014 Wockingham winner Baccarat and 2017 French 1,000 Guineas scorer Precieuse.
The 1000 Guineas is no doubt the same aim for this Kodiac daughter. She’s had two runs this year, the first coming on March 13th in a Listed event where she finished a close 4th to Quiet Times. She was next seen at Chantilly in a Group 3 in May finishing 8th of 13th. That as probably ruled her out of the Classics but should still win her share of races this season.
Quiet Times
– Trainer: Mme P. Brand
– Owner: Fair Salinia
Quiet Times landed the Listed Prix Montenica in March at 28/1, no doubt unfancied off the basis of her two year old career which saw her finish 9th on debut. She did then follow up with a win but this was against much lesser company than in March.
Her Listed success saw her show a great will to win when tackled in the closing stages.
She is a full sister to the four-year-old Master Brewer, who won twice in France and has been successful twice in Hong Kong this season. According to the pedigree, a mile should be her optimum trip and with her proven speed she can compete at Group level.
Speak Of The Devil
– Trainer: F. Chappet
– Owner: R. Shaykhutdinov
As a half sister to the multiple English group 3 winner Morando, Speak Of The Devil was worth the €62,000 she fetched as a yearling. Any doubt over whether she was worth this fee soon vanished when she bolted up on debut in October. That form has been well boosted with Listed winner and Group 3 performer Quiet Times finishing down field.
Speak Of The Devil ran well to finish 2nd on her reappearance on 11th May and should get off the mark before too long.
Tickle Me Green
– Trainer: A. Fabre
– Owner: Görlsdorf Stud
There’s been a great influx of German owners into the Andre Fabre yard this year most likely triggered by Waldgeist’s Arc triumph and Tickle Me Green is another of those.
She ended last season with a 4th place in a Group 3 at Krefeld and started this year placed behind Tropbeau in the 1000 Guineas Trial at Longchamp beaten less than a length. Whilst her mother didn’t do much she’s performed well in the breeding shed having delivered 3 winners including Listed winner Tickle Me Blue. She could well be running in Germany with the German Oaks being mentioned but should be able to hold her own in France as well.
Wangari
– Trainer: A. Fabre
– Owner: Mme E. Fabre
Trainer Andre Fabre has always had a weakness for German breeding and has been active at the Baden-Baden sales in recent years and this was one of those purchases and was able to secure this Soldier Hollow daughter for just €35,000.
She’s a full sister to Whispering Angel who won the Group 3 Preis der Winterkönigin. She ran twice last year, winning on her last start on the Deauville All-Weather in November. That was a much improved run from her debut and can continue to progress this season.
OLDER HORSES
Aniel
– Trainer: S. Dehez
– Owner: J. Fellous
On paper this is probably the worst horse on this list with just 1 win to his name from 14 runs. That win came in August last year in a class 3 and he looks to be at a mark where he can repeat that effort. On many occasions he’s been pitched into races he didn’t have a chance of winning so when you see him down in grade he will probably be worth a bet at a decent price.
Carpio
– Trainer: FH Graffard
– Owner: Al Asayl Bloodstock
The four-year-old Carpio only saw a racecourse for the first time in September last year and a busy couple of months saw him run 4 times. Two runs on turf saw him place on both occasions before backing that promise up with 2 wins. There’s a lot to like on pedigree with his mother an un-raced full sister to double Group 1 winner Roderick O’Connor.
Comparisons are being made to stablemate The Revenant, who like Carpio was twice a winner of late year Class 1’s and was one of the top French horses last year winning on Arc weekend before narrowly being denied on British Champions Day.
Glycon
– Trainer: J.-C. Rouget
– Owner: Haras de Saint-Pair
A backward type, Glycon didn’t make his debut until October of his three year old career but it was one worth waiting for as a cruised to victory in the Longchamp mud.
This was then backed up a month later with another facile victory this time on Deauville’s All -Weather. It will be interesting to see if this late maturing gelding can hold this form on a sounder surface. Breeding is good, his mother was Group 1 placed and you’d expect Glycon to at least reach Group level at some point this year.
Persian King
– Trainer: A. Fabre
– Owner: Godolphin & Ballymore Thoroughbred
For many Persian King is the most exciting older horse in France. A brilliant winner of the French 2,000 Guineas, the now four-year-old only ran once again, that being in the French Derby where Sottsass got the better of him. He was clearly injured that day but according to his trainer Andre Fabre seems to have recovered well “Earthlight and Victor Ludorum spent the winter well, I’m happy with them. The same applies to Persian King, he is doing well.”
You’d imagine International races would have been planned for this season having tasted victory as a two year old at Newmarket in the Autumn Stakes and having future Guineas winner Magna Grecia behind but whether he’ll be able to travel is up in the air. If not the Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois looks tailormade for him.
Waugh
– Trainer: F. Rossi / HA Blume
– Owner: Mme. J. Burger / Lebeau Racing
The four-year-old son of Rip Van Winkle reappeared this year at Cologne in May and certainly underperformed albeit this was a step up to Group 2. He was on the go last year from June all the way through to November and in 5 runs it was the last of those where he was able to break his maiden tag. This suggests that he’s a horse that needs a bit of time to get going to shouldn’t be written off because of that run. Whether he stays in Germany or in France its up in the air. Either way Betsafe will have the race wherever he runs!
