By Tom Frary
Nocturnal Fox (Ire) (Farhh {GB}) may have been hard to detect before Sunday's G2 Prix Hocquart Longines, but when you are carrying Godolphin's royal blue around and hail from the stable of Andre Fabre who held the record of seven winners in this, anything is possible. With just a 10 1/2-furlong maiden win to his name at Maisons-Laffitte May 16, the homebred started at 15-1 tackling some smart types but as they failed to live up to expectations he profited under an uncomplicated ride from Mickael Barzalona. Always happy tracking the leading trio, the bay was committed passing the quarter pole and after gaining the edge soon after held on as Al Malhouf (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) ate into his lead late on along with Hush Writer (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}). Just a head and a short head separated that trio at the line and the winner could be bound for another race in which his trainer excels now. “Nocturnal Fox is improving all the time and has a great temperament, so we hope that there is more to come from him,” the operation's Lisa-Jane Graffard said. “The [July 14 G1] Grand Prix de Paris [at ParisLongchamp] could be an option, but we will see how he comes out of the race before making any plans.”
Winning jockey Barzalona said, “The way the race developed forced my hand as regards kicking for home early. He's still a big baby, but showed that he is a quality colt. I'm quite happy and optimistic as he is still a bit immature and tends to race in snatches. Step by step, the penny seems to be dropping. He has everything in his armoury to become a good horse.” Fabrice Chappet said of Al Malhouf, “The colt ran very well considering that he didn't have a happy time and notably in the dash for the line.” Hush Writer completed an in-and-out day for Francis-Henri Graffard and he commented, “He has lost no caste in defeat. He seems to have a bright future over this trip and in this grade, and we will try and toughen him up. Gai Waterhouse bought him in Japan before entrusting him to Criquette Head-Maarek. After the latter retired, I took over as the colt's trainer.”
Another solid performer from the first crop of Farhh after Dee Ex Bee (GB) and Wells Farhh Go (Ire), Nocturnal Fox offers further evidence that his sire will get horses who stay a lot further than him. The winner is currently the last known foal out of Nabati (Rahy), whose previous best was the Listed Newmarket S. scorer Best of Times (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The second dam is the G2 Grand Prix d'Evry and G3 Prix de Minerve winner Wajd (Northern Dancer), who was also placed three times at the highest level including when third in the G1 St Leger. She has three group winners to her credit, headed by the G1 St Leger hero and G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. runner-up Nedawi (GB) (Rainbow Quest) and the G3 Herbst Stutenpreis scorer and GI E.P. Taylor S. runner-up Fitful Skies (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The third dam is the elite champion and equally outstanding producer Dahlia (Vaguely Noble {Ire}), whose 15 victories include 10 at the highest level headed by the Irish Oaks and back-to-back renewals of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S.
Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX HOCQUART LONGINES-G2, €130,000, Chantilly, 6-17, 3yo, c/f, 12fT, 2:29.51, g/s.
1–NOCTURNAL FOX (IRE), 128, c, 3, by Farhh (GB)
1st Dam: Nabati, by Rahy
2nd Dam: Wajd, by Northern Dancer
3rd Dam: Dahlia, by Vaguely Noble (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Godolphin SNC;
B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Andre Fabre; J-Mickael Barzalona.
€74,100. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0, €91,050. *1/2 to Best of
Times (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), SW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Al Malhouf (GB), 128, c, 3, Dutch Art (GB)–Lady Eclair (Ire),
by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (€70,000 Ylg '16 ARAUG). O-Sheail bin
Khalifa Al Kuwari; B-Newsells Park Stud (GB); T-Fabrice
Chappet. €28,600.
3–Hush Writer (Jpn), 128, c, 3, Rulership (Jpn)–Star of Sapphire,
by Tapit. (¥23,000,000 Wlg '15 JRHJUL). O-Craig Thompson;
B-Chiyoda Farm Shizunai (Jpn); T-Francis-Henri Graffard.
€13,650.
Margins: HD, SHD, 1 3/4. Odds: 15.30, 4.50, 18.00.
Also Ran: Pharrell (Fr), King of Camelot (Fr), Solesili (GB), Master of Reality (Ire), Aspetar (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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