Al Shaqab Racing and jockey Frankie Dettori were out of luck at Arlington’s International Festival of Racing, but Sunday proved more profitable as Al Wukair came out on top of a three-way photo in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) at Deauville.
Thunder Snow, the 17-10 favorite, carved out the pace with Christophe Soumillon and continued to travel sweetly while his opponents began to come off the bridle. But he couldn’t quite put the race to bed.
Fellow Godolphin colorbearer Inns of Court and Al Wukair, both from the Andre Fabre yard, gained traction in succession. Although the stalking Al Wukair was always within close striking range, he appeared to be beaten when Inns of Court, last early, swooped to challenge on the far side. But Al Wukair, grimly holding position between his Godolphin rivals, found one improbable last burst to nip them on the line.
By negotiating the straight 1,600 meters on a soft course in 1:38.51, Al Wukair handed Fabre his seventh Marois title, reportedly equaling Francois Boutin’s record. Inns of Court, who looked for all the world like the winner just before the wire, rounded out the all-Fabre exacta. Thunder Snow went down by all of a neck in third, with Fabre’s other runner, Trais Fluors, in fourth.
Al Wukair was also underscoring the merit of his performance in the 2000 Guineas (G1), where he was too far back off a steady pace yet rallied strongly for third to Churchill and Barney Roy. Expected to stretch out for the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) (G1), he missed that classic. Fabre was satisfied enough with his condition to get him back on course for the July 16 Prix Messidor (G3) versus older horses, but he had to settle for second to Taareef. Al Wukair gained revenge in the Marois, for Taareef faded to fifth in the six-horse field.
Now four-for-six, Al Wukair had won his first three starts, including last fall’s Prix Isonomy and the April 10 Prix Djebel (G3). The 200,000 guineas Tattersalls October yearling is by European champion Dream Ahead (from Man o’ War’s male line via Warning) out of the Machiavellian mare Macheera. His second dam, Caerlina, captured the 1991 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (G1), and this is also the family of Grade/Group 2 scorers Tam Lin, Curren Mirotic (in Japan) and Sri Putra.
Al Wukair is likely to stick to a mile for the October 21 Queen Elizabeth II (G1) on Champions Day at Ascot, setting up another clash with Thunder Snow.
The Jacques le Marois is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race offering a berth to the Mile (G1). With Champions Day on the itinerary, however, it is unclear if Al Wukair would take up the “Win & You’re In” provisions at Del Mar. I’d regard it as unlikely, given not only the timing but also his preference for some ease in the ground.
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Godolphin also went home with minor awards in Sunday’s Grosser Preis von Berlin (G1), with 7-5 favorite Hawkbill and Racing History finishing second and third, respectively, to the Markus Klug-trained Dschingis Secret.
Under Adrie de Vries, Dschingis Secret hugged the hedge stalking pacesetter Hawkbill. Racing History had the eventual winner pocketed much of the way, but drifted out and opened the door down the lane. Dschingis Secret took the opportunity to angle out and wore Hawkbill down to prevail by a length. His final time for about 1 1/2 miles on Hoppegarten’s good course was 2:32.89.
Dschingis Secret, the third in last year’s Deutsches Derby (G1), went on to romp in the St Leger Italiano (G3). Better than ever this season, the son of Soldier Hollow dominated the May 7 Gerling-Preis (G2) and added the Grosser Hansa-Preis (G2) last out at Hamburg.
Hawkbill, who was ridden by James Doyle after William Buick’s injury aboard ill-fated Permian at Arlington, is bound for Woodbine.
“On the back of that run, we will head to Canada for the G1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes at Woodbine on September 16,” trainer Charlie Appleby told Godolphin.com.
“If he does well in that, then we could have a look at the G1 Canadian International at the same course on October 15.”
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Over in Ireland Sunday, trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore also bounced back from three beats at Arlington Saturday by recording a treble at the Curragh.
Mendelssohn, last year’s $3 million Keeneland September topper, started the proverbial ball rolling by breaking his maiden in his second start. The 5-4 favorite in the one-mile affair, he is a Scat Daddy half-brother to four-time champion Beholder (and successful young sire Into Mischief).
$3m colt Mendelssohn wins on his second try at @curraghrace – this one a son of Scat Daddy and a half-brother to US champion mare Beholder: pic.twitter.com/8AcRgmX5Vv
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 13, 2017
O’Brien landed the feature for juveniles, the Phoenix (G1), for an incredible 16th time according to reports. Another Scat Daddy, Sioux Nation, did the honors.
Last seen upsetting the five-furlong Norfolk (G2) at Royal Ascot, Sioux Nation reverted to six here and just held on from favorite Beckford. Stablemates Actress and US Navy Flag rounded out the superfecta.
Sioux Nation is a sixteenth winner of the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes for Aidan O’Brien. Thriller at @curraghrace! pic.twitter.com/BZlAYJB9XR
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 13, 2017
According to Racing Post, a trip to the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar could be in the offing for Sioux Nation, but it’s early days and he has more immediate Group 1s to consider in Europe.
Washington DC, seventh in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), capped the Sunday triple by nailing stablemate Cougar Mountain in the Phoenix Sprint (G3).
Ryan Moore and Washington DC swoop late to win the At The Races Phoenix Sprint Stakes at @curraghrace: pic.twitter.com/wuVcQXuzJY
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 13, 2017
