ABU DHABI POULE

D’ESSAI DES POULAINS

(GROUP 1)

THERE was a thrilling finish at the end of the second French classic of the season, the Abu Dhabi Poule d’Essai des Poulains last Sunday.

In a battle royal to the line, Brametot just managed to catch Le Brivido to win by a short head. Rivet ran a sound race to finish three lengths away third but did not possess the same acceleration as the horses in front of him.

Al Shaqab Racing (Sheikh Joaan Al Thani) bought 50% of Brametot (named after a small village near Dieppe) before the Poulains.

It was a first success for the operation and part owner, Gerard Augustin-Normand, in the classic and also for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, Italian-born jockey Cristian Demuro and the colt’s sire Rajsaman.

Brametot has only tasted defeat on one occasion in his six races and his first group success came in the Prix de Fontainebleau.

It was a great relief for his Pau-based trainer as the inmates in one of his stable barns have been struck by a virulent strain of equine flu. Among the horses affected was the crack Almanzor who is now expected to reappear in La Coupe at Chantilly on June 17th.

EMOTIONAL

Naturally emotional after the Poulains and sporting a smart mauve jacket Rouget revealed: “Brametot was not in the infected barn. He has been in another barn since he was a yearling and we never change them. Even with 50 horses out of action for the moment we’re still going to have a good season.”

He continued: “It wasn’t easy for Brametot to go on and catch the leader and I thought we had little chance from the halfway stage. He’s not a big horse but has a big heart. The Prix du Jockey Club is the logical next step and his breeding suggests he will be better over a longer distance.”

Demuro added: “I won because Brametot is a champion and you needed one to catch Le Brivido.”

Always well up, Frankie Dettori gave Rivet every possible chance and Haggas commented: “He ran well and put in a good effort against serious opposition.

“He stayed on to the end and will now head for the Prix du Jockey Club.”

Brametot was bought as a foal for a Chilean man called Jorge Cardemil de Rurange at the Arqana sales at Deauville in December 2014 for €26,000. He does not qualify for the owners’ premium.

DISAPPOINTMENT

The big disappointment in the Poulains was the 4/1 favourite National Defense who was beaten a total of 28 lengths in last place.

Criquette Head-Maarek disclosed: “He choked after pulling so hard for 400 metres. The colt is in good form after the race and will likely turn out for the Prix Jean Prat.”