“Recently, in Deauville, we were there with Freddy Head, whose father, Alec Head, was honored in the Prix de la Nonette (Gr. II). And after the victory of Friendly SoulFreddy suggested we run the Opera (Gr. I). It’s his idea!”, said John Gosden after the first success at the highest level for George Strawbridge’s protégé this Sunday. Beaten only once during her career, the daughter of Kingmanwho is considered the best 3-year-old among John & Thady Gosden’s squad, arrived in full possession of her means in the Prix de l’Opera (Gr. I) after showing success on the Normandy coast during the summer. “Mr George Strawbridge, her breeder and owner, came specially from the United States to see her race in Deauville, a place he loves very much”, details the British coach who has won no fewer than 36 Group Is in France. But since then, two questions have arisen: was she good enough? How would she like the soft ground? The filly quickly brushed aside all these questions. Quickly placed at the facilitator’s hip, Fable, Friendly Soul started in progress at the exit of the final turn, then only pushed back her rivals in the straight to win by three quarters of a length. “She’s an incredible filly,” rejoices his mentor before discussing the rest of the program. The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Gr. I) is now a possibility. And Mr. Strawbridge lives in the United States. But the distance of 2,200 meters is at the limit of its possibilities. The training of John & Thady Gosden is a success since Running Lion had an excellent end to the race to take second place at the very end. “It’s the best performance of his career,” confides David Redvers, the racing manager of the team of David Philip Howden, the owner. Her jockey rode her magnificently and congratulations to her trainer for this double. We will discuss in the coming weeks, depending on his recovery, the possibility of going to the Breeders’ Cup.
Sparkling Plenty, first Frenchwoman to arrive
Third, Sparkling Plenty saves France’s honors by completing the podium. Forced to step back on the course, the daughter of Kingmanwho had just placed sixth in the Prix Vermeille (Gr. I), once again finished strong, but too late to hope for better. “It’s not easy to come back from behind,” explains Rupert Pritchard-Gordon, who manages the interests of Al Shaqab Racing in France. We will check with the team for the future, in particular with the Sheikh. It’s not impossible that she goes to the Breeders’ Cup. She could find a race that would suit her, with terrain to suit her and the pace too. But she is a 3 year old, she has raced a lot, and it will also be up to her trainer to judge, because he knows her best. If all goes well between now and then, we could therefore find the three premieres of the Opera on the other side of the Atlantic, the first weekend of November, in Del Mar (United States)…
Also read on the sidelines of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2024:
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Before the coronation of Friendly SoulJohn Gosden, who joined forces in 2021 with his son, Thady, had never before managed to win the Prix de l’Opéra Longines (Gr.I). The British coach had tried his luck twelve times but until now, his best rankings had been obtained with Izzi Top, Jazz Top et NASHWAwho respectively ranked second in 2012, 2015 and 2022.
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