Coral-Eclipse Stakes |
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| Group 1, Sandown Park 15:35 £790,625 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 1m 1f 209y, Class 1  |
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1 Vadeni 11/4
2 Mishriff 7/1
3 Native Trail 3/1
6 ran Distances: nk, hd, ½l
Time: 2m 5.20s (fast by 1.80s)
Vadeni narrowly held off the charging Mishriff to score in the @coral Eclipse in hands of @CSoumillon for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget @Sandownpark @AgaKhanStuds pic.twitter.com/jbkWQLVbFN https://t.co/aI1vK0FjQc via @RacingBetter
— RacingBetter (@RacingBetter) July 2, 2022
The French Derby winner Vadeni was a first Sandown runner for French training great Jean-Claude Rouget and a first UK winner for his owner the Aga Khan since Harzand claimed the Derby in 2016.
Alenquer attempted to make all but soon looked a sitting duck as Bay Bridge cruised up only to flatten out.
Native Trail and Lord North then made their bids for glory, but Christophe Soumillon produced Vadeni with a perfectly-timed challenge to seize the lead.
Mishriff, who endured a slightly unlucky run, he flew home in the final half a furlong under David Egan, but was beaten just a neck.
Rouget said: “He was very relaxed in the first part of the race. I was a little bit anxious at the beginning of the straight as he looked not very well (placed), but after a change of foot he came easily.
“Christophe said he had a bad step about 80 metres from the post, so that cut his action. I thought at that moment he could be second, but with his courage he became the winner. It was very important for him to win this race for his stallion career at home.
“If I decide to supplement a horse like that, it is my basic instinct so I was confident. I have 43 years of training in my legs so I know it is always difficult to win a maiden and to win the Eclipse, for me it was a real challenge – winning the Irish Champion with Almanzor, we were the same.
“I hope this one will win the other race (Irish Champion).”
There was a sting in the tail for Soumillon though, who, while celebrating on crossing the line, allowed Vadeni to drift to his right, badly hampering Native Trail who in turn forced James Doyle to snatch up on Lord North.
Soumillon was given 12 days (July 16-27 inclusive) for careless riding.
Coral-Eclipse (British Champions Series) (Group 1)
£790,625 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 1m 1f 209y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Firm
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (4) Vadeni 3 8-13 J-C Rouget Christophe Soumillon 11/4
2 (3) nk Mishriff 5 9-9 John & Thady Gosden David Egan 7/1
3 (5) hd Native Trail 3 8-13 Charlie Appleby William Buick 3/1
4 (1) ½ Lord North 6 9-9 John & Thady Gosden James Doyle 33/1
5 (2) 3 Bay Bridge 4 9-9 Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore 9/4F
6 (6) ½ Alenquer 4 9-9 William Haggas Tom Marquand 15/2
