Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), last year's Cartier champion 3-year-old colt, is expected to make his seasonal debut next month. Royal Ascot, however, looks to be off the table, with the dark bay likely to get a softer introduction in the G3 Prix la Coupe at Chantilly on June 17.
Sylvain Vidal, racing manager for owner Ecurie Antonio Caro, said, “[Trainer] Jean-Claude [Rouget] said he is doing very well at the moment. The plan at the moment is to run in the Prix la Coupe at Chantilly on June 17 but I don't think he'll be going to Ascot; it will come too soon. Later in the year the plan is to step him up to 12 furlongs and aim him at the [G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe].”
Almanzor, who has won his last five straight including the G1 Prix du Jockey Club, G1 Qipco Irish Champion S. and G1 Qipco Champion S., was involved in a scare earlier in the year when Rouget's Pau stable in which he resided was the subject of an Equine Herpesvirus outbreak. Two of the 57 horses in the barn died but Almanzor came through with only a fever.
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