Opening up with a cozy victory going seven panels at La Teste de Buch on debut July 28, Almanzor easily doubled his tally upped to one mile at Clairefontaine last time Aug. 21, and continued on the upgrade with a decisive success in this black-type bow. Steadied six lengths off the speed in a patient fourth for the most part, he made stealthy headway once into the stretch run to lead approaching the final eighth and was pushed out in the closing stages to easily register a career high.
“He was very impressive today winning the race,” enthused winning trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. “I always thought this colt would follow the Classic route next year, and he will be pointed toward the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and the Jockey Club. He was relaxed today, so he should stay the trip.”
Almanzor is the first black-type winner for his freshman sire (by Iffraaj {GB}), who stands at Haras d'Etreham.
“He was the best colt by the sire that we had on the farm– a big, tall dark bay horse with a good walk,” commented Nicolas de Chambure of Haras d'Etreham. “We sold him as a yearling in August to Jean-Claude, who bought him for €100,000, and we were very happy to see him go to him.”
Almanzor is slated to get the rest of the year off.
GRAND CRITERIUM DE BORDEAUX – PRIX DU HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB-Listed, €55,000, BDX, 10-8, 2yo, 8fT, 1:40.28, g/s.
1–#ALMANZOR (FR), 123, c, 2, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Darkova, by Maria's Mon. (€100,000 Ylg '14 ARQAUG). O-Ecurie Antonio Caro & Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Haras d'Etreham (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Jean-Bernard Eyquem. €27,500. Lifetime Record: 3 starts, 3 wins, €50,000. *1st black-type winner for first-season sire (by Iffraaj {GB}).
2–Camp Courage, 123, c, 2, War Front">War Front–Storybook (UAE), by Halling. O-Joseph Allen. €11,000.
3–Ankle (Fr), 123, c, 2, Shamardal–Polygreen (Fr), by Green Tune. O-Wertheimer et Frere. €8,250.
Margins: 3, SNK, 1HF. Odds: 0.70, 4.70, 4.10.
Also Ran: Zvalinska (Fr), Eze (GB), Dragon Rouge (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
