Anthony Van Dyck Denies Stradivarius in the Foy

Coolmore’s 2019 G1 Epsom Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was winless in seven starts, six of those attempts coming at the highest level, since registering that Blue Riband success and revelled in his old gusto to outbattle Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in a pulsating renewal of Sunday’s G1 Qatar Prix Foy at ParisLongchamp. He lined up as the 19-5 second choice, coming back off a second to Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the June 5 G1 Coronation Cup at Newmarket and a fifth in Royal Ascot’s G2 Hardwicke S. last time, and led a steady tempo for the most part. He looked set to be swamped, but was up for a battle when tackled and headed by Stradivarius off the home turn, reclaiming the initiative with 300 metres remaining and staying on strongly under a continued drive to hold that rival’s renewed effort by short neck.

“We knew there was no early speed in the race and hatched a plan to move forward early,” revealed winning rider Mickael Barzalona. “We jumped off easily and I found myself in front, so I let him find a rhythm and go along bit by bit. I had a bit of trouble getting him to stretch out, but once he sensed the danger of Stradivarius he fought back gamely and found more with every stride. We know Stradivarius makes up ground easily, but sometimes gets caught for a bit of acceleration so I wasn’t too worried. I gave him a breather turning for home before winding him up and I think he enjoyed that. He has every right to a place in the line-up for the Arc as he gets into a good rhythm and just keeps galloping in a straight and true line.”

Owner Bjorn Nielsen has not discounted a tilt the Arc for his star stayer Stradivarius and said, “They have basically walked there and Frankie thought he should have gone in front. The race has turned into a sprint and we were only beaten a neck. To be beaten in such circumstances isn’t too much of a worry and certainly not a disgrace. I don’t know if he will run in the Arc, I need to speak with John [Gosden], but given how that race was run I wouldn’t rule it out. The ground conditions on the day will not play a huge part. He goes better on good ground, but can handle soft if needs be.”

Anthony Van Dyck is the fourth of five foals and one of three winners for G3 Blue Diamond Prelude victress Believe’n’succeed (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who also produced by G1 Railway S.-winning New Zealand champion sprinter Bounding (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) and a yearling filly by Galileo (Ire). His dam, full to MGSW sire Kuroshio (Aus) and the stakes-winning Agulhas (Aus), is a daughter of GI Alabama S. and GI Test S. heroine November Snow (Storm Cat). November Snow is a full-sister to GSW sire Scatmandu from a family featuring GI Carter H. hero Morning Line (Tiznow).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX FOY-G2, €90,000, ParisLongchamp, 9-13, 4yo/up, 12fT, 2:33.27, gd.
1–ANTHONY VAN DYCK (IRE), 129, c, 4, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Believe’N’Succeed (Aus) (GSW-Aus, $157,067), by Exceed and Excel (Aus)
2nd Dam: Arctic Drift, by Gone West
3rd Dam: November Snow, by Storm Cat
O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Mickael Barzalona. €51,300. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng, MGSW & MG1SP-Ire, GISP-US, 17-6-3-3, $2,107,750. *1/2 to Bounding (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}), Ch. Sprinter-NZ, G1SW-NZ &, GSW-Aus, $578,367. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Stradivarius (Ire), 129, h, 6, Sea the Stars (Ire)–Private Life (Fr), by Bering (GB). (330,000gns RNA Ylg ’15 TATOCT). O/B-Bjorn Nielsen (IRE); T-John Gosden. €19,800.
3–Nagano Gold (GB), 129, h, 6, Sixties Icon (GB)–Never Enough (Ger), by Monsun (Ger). (3,500gns Wlg ’14 TATFOA). O-Syndikat V3J; B-J Knight & E Cantillon (GB); T-Vaclav Luka. €9,450.
Margins: SNK, 1 1/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 3.80, 0.60, 17.00.
Also Ran: Skyward (Fr), Way To Paris (GB), Ziyad (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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Enable Faces Ballydoyle Trio

It will be a case of Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) versus Ballydoyle and Galileo (Ire) in Saturday’s G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO S.  at Ascot, but she’s been there before and connections are confident that the star mare is back in the right spot after her defeat in the July 5 G1 Eclipse S. at Sandown. John Gosden is expecting that comeback effort to have put her right for her historic bid for a third renewal of this prestige affair.

“I was very open with everybody that, being the age she is now, she’s found it difficult getting to race-fitness, more than ever before,” he explained. “So she’s found that challenging, but has a strong mind and has brought herself forward with the race to bring her on. She’s got older and wiser as she’s gone, but I feel she’s back in the zone now. I’m of the viewpoint that a Flat horse reaches its zenith aged five, so I still see her training beautifully for this. I just went with her ahead of the Eclipse and her work on the Limekilns has been perfect since. I’ve let her lead a couple of works too and she’s enjoyed that for a change.”

With two Derby winners in Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) and Sovereign (Ire) backing up the G1 Juddmonte International and G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Japan (GB) in the three-pronged Galileo attack, Gosden is aware that tactics could play a part but is happy to let Dettori take control of that aspect.

“Frankie likes to try and train her too, but I won’t try and ride her as well,” he added. “You have to go in with a blank canvass really and see how it pans out and see what the Ballydoyle horses do. I’ll leave that to the jockey and we’ll not tie anyone down to a plan.”

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Max of Eight Contest King George as Enable Eyes Hat Trick

Prince Khalid Abdullah’s champion mare Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is bidding to become the first horse to take three editions of the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S., as she is one of eight to stand their ground at the latest entry stage. She sustained only her second career loss with a 1 3/4 second when going for a three-peat in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp in October and was the bridesmaid once again kicking off her 6-year-old campaign in Sandown’s G1 Coral-Eclipse S. behind Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) on July 5. The Ascot cornerstone also drew the Juddmonte colourbearer’s stablemate, fellow John Gosden trainee and MGSW Fanny Logan (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) who won the G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot in June.

Abdullah’s racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, said, “We’re very happy with Enable. Everything has been straightforward since the Eclipse and we think she’s come on for that run. We’re looking forward to Saturday.”

“These big races are not supposed to be easy to win,” added Grimthorpe. “It’s not going to be a very big field, obviously, but there are only so many horses at that level. It’s a shame there’s no 3-year-old in the race, but we’re just concentrating on our ourselves and Enable seems in good shape.”

The dual G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner’s stiffest competition however hails from across the Irish Sea, as Aidan O’Brien saddles six for the Coolmore partners in the 1 1/2-mile feature. Star fillies Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and  MG1SW Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), second to Enable in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf back in 2018, are both slated to take part. The former, a Group 1 winner in Australia, and first in the June 13 G2 Lanwades Stud S., was a last out fourth in the Coral-Eclipse. Magical warmed up for this with an easy 4 1/2-length win in the G1 Pretty Polly S. at The Curragh on June 28.

Highly regarded 2019 G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Juddmonte International S. scorer Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), third to Ghaiyyath and Enable in the Coral-Eclipse, returns for another crack at the top level after a fourth in the G1 Prince Of Wales’s S. at Royal Ascot on June 17. One of several other Classic winners from Rosegreen tapped for the King George is 2019 G1 Investec Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), fifth in the Hardwicke, while last year’s G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby hero Sovereign (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) cuts back in trip after running third in the G3 Comer Group International Vintage Crop S. in his 4-year-old bow at The Curragh on June 27. Group 3 winner Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) completes the sextet.

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