Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (Group 1)
THE Tricolor flew high above Chantilly Racecourse last Sunday afternoon. But the flag fluttering most proudly across the lake from the 16th century chateau was not the blue, white and red of the French ‘Tricolore’ but its green, white and orange equivalent, as the day’s big race, the Group 1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, was totally dominated by its Irish contingent.
Aidan O’Brien had declared three runners and, despite two of them being lumbered with wide draws, they somehow managed to occupy the first three positions in a 16-strong field virtually from the outset.
With just over a furlong of the mile, two furlongs, 100 yards trip remaining, it was already apparent that the Ballydoyle trio would not be caught, though the finishing order between them remained hard to predict.
Constitution River, the 24/10 favourite, who first came under pressure three furlongs from home, had to reveal hitherto untapped attributes of courage and determination to prevail by three-quarters of a length from Hawk Mountain, who just got the better of a long tussle with the front-running Montreal to secure second spot by a head.
The same feat
One might describe O’Brien’s 1-2-3 as ‘incredible’ were it not for the fact that, 10 years previously, he had already achieved precisely the same feat at the same venue in an even bigger race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, courtesy of Found, Highland Reel and Order Of George.
He used to have a poor record in this race - it took him over a quarter of a century to win it for the first time - but he doesn’t any more: he’s now won it three times in the last six years.
The cherry on the cake for him was that a tight battle for fourth place, a length and three-quarters behind the principals with barely a neck covering the next four home, was won by A Boy Named Susie, the final Irish raider, who was bred by his family, is trained by his youngest son, Donnacha, and is owned by his daughter, Ana.
Much was made about the draw beforehand, but Ryan Moore did not need to be Einstein to come up with a sensible plan for Constitution River from stall 15: stay wide for the first couple of furlongs while maintaining a close eye on the leaders, then slide across to get a prominent pitch as near to both the front and the inside as possible.
That position turned out to be third, alongside (but just behind) the first-time-blinkered Hawk Mountain, with only Montreal in front of them.
Best ride
The best ride in the race came from Wayne Lordan on Montreal, who judged the fractions perfectly and then pinched a lead of over three lengths with more than three furlongs to run, requiring both Christophe Soumillon (on Hawk Mountain) and Moore to ask their mounts to stretch a little earlier than they would have preferred.
For a moment 150 yards out, it looked like Montreal might, with the rail to help, outbattle his stablemates, but Constitution River had too much class and, in the end, even second place proved beyond Montreal.
A Boy Named Susie was plum last at the three-furlong marker. Having first edged towards the outside, his rider, Maxime Guyon, was then forced to wait for a couple of strides in tight quarters before switching back to the inner.
He finished best of all and, in common with each of the first three, was having just his second start of the season so can be expected to come on again for the run.
Aidan O’Brien said: “We thought it would be very difficult for Constitution River because he’s still a baby, still learning. He won very easily at Chester, but today was always going to be a completely different scenario on fast ground from an outside stall.
“He’s a big horse and we’ll probably take our time with him. Today was a tough race. He could have a little summer break and come back in the autumn, though, if he comes out of the race particularly well, the Eclipse is not impossible.
Moore added: “I knew that I was riding a very good horse. He makes life easy for you - he does everything effortlessly. He has plenty of speed, he stays well and he has an excellent temperament.
“When a horse is that straightforward, the draw becomes less important, though he was a little keener than usual today. I think that he could come back to a mile, but he’ll also stay a mile and a half despite all the speed he possesses.”
Feedback
Soumillon’s most striking piece of feedback was that Hawk Mountain would be much more at ease on softer ground, while a step up in distance will surely see Montreal winning pattern races in the near future.
Donnacha O’Brien reacted to A Boy Named Susie’s performance by saying: “It’s a difficult track when you’ve drawn badly.
“Maxime did exactly what he needed to do and, even though we didn’t have the smoothest passage, he produced a huge performance so I’m delighted. I genuinely think he’s capable of winning a Group 1.”
The other colt to take out of the race is Daryz’s half-brother, Daryzan, who was beaten by his inexperience. A May foal having only the second start of his life, he blew the start so performed admirably to finish seventh, just three lengths behind the winner.
Rest of the card
THE rest of the card, which featured two Group 2s and a pair of Group 3s, produced some impressive winners but lacked any depth of quality.
The Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly promised to be a revealing tussle between Cualificar and Goliath, but the former appeared to run rather flat and was denied second by his seemingly inferior Andre Fabre-trained stablemate, Oracle, so what Goliath actually achieved in notching a smooth two-length victory is open to question.
A popular character at Francis Graffard’s yard, according to his handler, Goliath will now be aimed at Royal Ascot’s Hardwicke Stakes prior to a return to the same track and a bid to reclaim the King George crown that he won in 2024.
A weak-looking Group 2 Prix de Sandringham went the way of the Alex Pantall-trained and -bred 20/1 shot Naomis, who, it was revealed afterwards, has been sold to join the barn of Chad Brown and will continue her career in America.
Joseph O’Brien’s Green Sense was sent off as the favourite on her seasonal bow, but could finish no better than sixth.
Easy wins
Sajir (for Fabre) and Behrayna (for Graffard) both justified very short odds with easy Group 3 triumphs.
Sajir will step back into Group 1 company in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot following his length and a quarter verdict in the Prix du Gros-Chene, while Behrayna is a possible Irish Oaks supplementary entry after having two lengths to spare at the finish of the Prix de Royaumont, though remaining at home for the Group 2 Prix de Malleret looks more likely.