The 2-year-old TOPGEAR, owned by Hisaaki Saito, followed up on his impressive debut win in the Prix de Tancarville at Deauville with a second success at the same track in the Prix Irish River (Class 2, over 1,300m). Partnered once again by Stephane Pasquier, he won by a length in front of the highly-regarded SHAIKHA, who incidentally won on her debut the same day as TOPGEAR in the fillies' equivalent! TOPGEAR sat on the flanks of SHAIKHA, who led the race, throughout. In the final straight, they battled together up the stands-side rail until TOPGEAR took the advantage in the final 100m, and once in front cruised to a comfortable win. These two pulled well clear of the field, with the 3rd horse 3 lengths further back. TOPGEAR is entered in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1) on Arc weekend. TOPGEAR was purchased at the Arqana August Yearling Sale by Sébastien Desmontils' Chauvigny Global Equine on behalf of his owner. He is by Coolmore's Wootton Bassett and out of the winning mare Miss Lech (Giant's Causeway). 

 

PRINCE LANCELOT, in the colours of longtime owner Antoine Gilibert, set some hearts racing in the Prix de Léaupartie (Class 1)! He sat in the penultimate position through the early stages under Stephane Pasquier in this 1,200m (6 furlong) Class 1 race for 3yos on the Deauville straight track. As the runners came under pressure at the 400m post, he found himself behind a wall of 4 horses (in a 6 runner race!). The pair had to change line several times before eventually finding a gap with less than 200m left to run. The gutsy colt then showed a fantastic acceleration to hit the line a neck in front, earning his third career victory. Second last time out in the Prix Moonlight Cloud (L) at Deauville, PRINCE LANCELOT was a Listed winner at 2. He was another Arqana Yearling purchase, bought by agent Amanda Skiffington.