Photo:
Eclipse Sportswire
Shareholder, winner of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, heads into Group 1 company for the first time in the Prix Morny on Sunday at 9:50 a.m. EDT at Deauville, France.
The six-furlong contest on turf for 2-year-olds offers an automatic starting position into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint through the Breeders’ Cup challenge series.
Bred in Kentucky by Skyfall Thoroughbreds and owned by Wathnan Racing, Shareholder already has secured a free berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint via his victory at Ascot. The unbeaten son of Not This Time showed an excellent turn of foot to storm to victory over five furlongs, and his connections are looking forward to seeing what he can do at the increased distance.
Trainer Karl Burke also will be represented by Arabie, who has won three straight races, including a pair of contests at Chantilly. His most recent victory came in the Prix Robert Papin (G2) over six furlongs. Jim Crowley has been on board for his three victories and will again partner the son of Dandy Man.
Burke saddled the 1-2 finishers in the 2017 Prix Morny, with Unfortunately beating Havana Grey, and he is looking forward to running both Shareholder and Arabie on Sunday.
“Shareholder is in great form,” he said. “We are going there, we think, with a big live chance. Obviously, we gave him some time off after Ascot because he’s had a hectic schedule. He’s continued to grow up since, and he’s relaxed more. I’d be very, very disappointed if he doesn’t stay six furlongs very well. On my other runner, Arabie, he should not be underestimated.”
Behind Shareholder at Ascot was the race’s hot 10-11 favorite Whistlejacket in fourth. The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt has subsequently run twice, winning the Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes (G2) at Newmarket and finishing runner-up last weekend to Babouche in the Phoenix Stakes (G1). Eight days on, the son of No Nay Never will bid to go one better than his Phoenix Stakes effort. Ryan Moore once again will take the ride.
Rashabar sprung a surprise in the Coventry Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot when winning at odds of 80-1. The Brian Meehan-trained colt will make his first start since Ascot on Sunday with Sean Levey in the irons.
Arabian Dusk is the final British challenger and is one of four fillies in the line-up. She was last seen winning the July 12 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (G2) at Newmarket’s July Course.
The Prix Morny has been won by international raiders in the last four seasons, with Earthlight the last French-trained winner in 2019. France will have four runners go to post on Sunday, with Daylight the leading contender. A daughter of the 2019 winner Earthlight, she finished third behind Arabie in the Prix de l’Elevage (G3) on her penultimate start before beating Polyvega in the Prix de Cabourg (G3) over Sunday’s course and distance.
Completing the line-up are Estepona and Epsom Blue Cen. On their most recent start, Estepona came out on top against Epsom Blue Cen in the Prix de Vire, a conditions race over six furlongs at Deauville.
The current going at Deauville is good, with the forecast looking dry ahead of Sunday’s race.
Source link : https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Royal_Ascot_winner_Shareholder_in_BC_qualifier_at_Deauville_123
Author :
Publish date : 2024-08-17 08:38:34
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.