PRIX ROYAL-OAK

(GROUP 1)

KHALID ABDULLAH has had an amazing October. Following Enable’s win the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, last Sunday the Saudi prince landed another Group 1 when the improving and resilient Ice Breeze caused a minor upset when staying on strongly to take the Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud.

Ice Breeze never knows when to give in and has improved since racing over further than a mile and a half. The son of Nayef paid another compliment to Qipco Champion Stakes hero Cracksman as he was well beaten by John Gosden’s three-year-old in the Prix Niel.

Vincent Cheminaud was always perfectly placed on Ice Breeze in the 15-furlong contest. The son of Nayef was settled in fourth place before taking control at the beginning of the two and a half-furlong straight.

The odds-on favourite Vazirabad looked a big threat but his effort petered out with 50 metres left to run and Ice Breeze went on to win by just over a length, with Holdthasigreen a well-beaten third and Willie Mullins’ Renetti, who started slowly, finishing fourth.

For Cheminaud, the 2014 champion jump jockey, it was his first Group 1 victory of the season but it was a second top-level win for trainer Pascal Bary, following Senga’s win in the Prix de Diane Longines. Ice Breeze only began his career in April and he was running for the eighth time in the Royal-Oak, which came just 22 days after the colt ran on bravely to take the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay.

Bary said: “Ice Breeze has run a lot this season and is a tough individual from a family which matures well as his brother did at four (Snow Sky won both the Yorkshire Cup and Hardwicke Stakes in 2015). He settles well in his races and is better over a longer trip than a mile and a half. True, he was receiving weight from Vazirabad (3.5kg, 8lb) but he fought back to retake the lead as he did in the Chaudenay.”

Ice Breeze might now be trained in the States as Teddy Grimthorpe commented: “We have several options. Prince Khalid will decide on the future of Ice Breeze. He put up a fine performance today and is a hard individual.”

The Prix du Cadran winner Vazirabad appeared not to go through with his challenge but Alain de Royer-Dupré seemed happy. “He won this race at three like the winner. As in the past, he will now be campaigned in Dubai.”

The stewards held an enquiry after the Royal-Oak and Pierre-Charles Boudot, the rider of Renetti, was fined €300 for careless riding round the final turn.

PRIX DE FLORE

Cheveley Park Stud had a weekend to remember with their fillies and mares.

Persuasive reached the pinnacle of her career when capturing the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday and the following day at Saint-Cloud Intimation achieved her own career best when landing the Group 3 Prix de Flore in the hands of Mickael Barzalona.

Well positioned throughout the race, Intimation took control a furlong out and picked up well to beat the German filly Son Marcia and the favourite Listen In who was once again a sitting target in the straight having attempted to make all.

Speaking after the race, Cheveley Park manager Chris Richardson indicated that the mare may well be retired to stud.