Prix de l’abbaye

(group 1)

BATTAASH pulverised the field in the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines and again thrilled the thousands of racing enthusiasts who had earlier witnessed an outstanding Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe where Jim Crowley had finished third on Ulysses. In this five-furlong Group 1, Crowley ended up in the winner’s circle and the first five over the line were all trained in Britain.

The best of the French was the two-year-old Rimini, who had been supplemented into the Abbaye by trainer Christophe Ferland, but unfortunately finished one place shy of the prize money positions in sixth.

Battaash broke smartly, raced prominently and had the race sewn up with a full furlong and a half left to run. The three-year-old gelded son of Dark Angel drew further and further clear and was four lengths to the good over last year’s winner, Marsha, by the line, with Profitable in third. The well fancied French speedster Signs Of Blessing made no show and was 12th in the field of 13.

Trained by Charlie Hills, Battaash has had a terrific season in the colours of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. He won at Bath last year and only picked up his first listed race at Sandown in June. Since then Battaash has been on an upward spiral and now he has reached the top with a first Group 1 success. Hills disclosed: “I’ve never trained such a fast horse. He has an incredible cruising speed and is even better on good ground. We’ve been approached to run in The Everest (October 14th Royal Randwick) but it will have to be next year.”

Crowley added: “He was more relaxed at the start and I’ve never ridden such a fast horse. He’s just as good as he is fast.” Marsha, who beat Battaash in the Nunthorpe at York, lost nothing in defeat and would probably have preferred better ground. Sir Mark Prescott was represented by his assistant William Butler, who said: “We were beaten by a monster. We will see how she recovers before making further plans. I do know that she goes to the Tattersalls sales in December.”