Classic hopes on track as Al Shaqab colts show promise in key trials

Homebred Sahlan on his way to the gates in the Prix de Fontainebleau Gr.3 (credit APRH)

It was a weekend of encouraging performances from our three-year-olds in Classic trials on both sides of the Channel, with SARACEN finishing third in the Greenham Stakes Gr.3 at Newbury and homebred SAHLAN narrowly denied in the Prix de Fontainebleau Gr.3 at Longchamp, where stablemate MISUNDERSTOOD also ran with credit.

Having made a strong impression on debut last autumn at the Curragh, Gr.3returned from a 172-day break to take third in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes. The son of Siyouni, trained by Joseph O'Brien and ridden by Christophe Soumillon, settled towards the rear and appeared briefly outpaced before keeping on well inside the final furlong to finish just behind Jonquil and Rashabar. Beaten three and a half lengths over the 7-furlong trip, SARACEN shaped as though further improvement is to come with the run under his belt.

In France, the homebred SAHLAN went down by the narrowest of margins in the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau, finishing a short nose behind Ridari. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the son of Wootton Bassett showed a sharp turn of foot under Christophe Soumillon and was only just denied on the line.

Just behind him, MISUNDERSTOOD, trained by Mario Baratti, stayed on well to finish third under Cristian Demuro. By Hello Youmzain, the colt is owned in partnership with Haras d’Etreham and Mustapha Bekhti, and his performance adds further depth to the Al Shaqab team of potential Classic contenders.

These runs in recognised trial races suggest the Al Shaqab colts are heading in the right direction ahead of the spring targets, with connections entitled to harbour Classic ambitions in the weeks to come.