Ribchester show touch of class to capture Prix Jacques le Marois

Richard Fahey’s Ribchester brilliantly claimed victory in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.

Third in 2000 Guineas before winning the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, the three-year-old then raised his game again to finish a close third in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

With 2000 Guineas winner and Sussex Stakes runner-up Galileo Gold in opposition once more, the Godolphin-owned Ribchester was an 11/4 shot to gain his revenge.

William Buick settled his mount in midfield before launching his challenge inside the final furlong and the Iffraaj colt responded admirably to get the better of Vadamos, with Ervedya third.

The Hugo Palmer-trained Galileo Gold raced on the pace throughout and while he remained in contention with a furlong to run, he weakened quickly soon after and was ultimately disappointing.

“It’s a great thrill to win one of the most prestigious races in France and it shows that he might have been unlucky in the Sussex, when I didn’t ride him,” said Buick.

“I was aware that I was drawn away from the likes of Galileo Gold and Vadamos, but my horse was always happy sitting close to the pace and quickened up nicely when I asked him.

“We were going away at the finish. He is one of the best milers I’ve ridden, for sure.”

Bookmakers were suitably impressed, with Ribchester now available as the 2/1 favourite for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on at Ascot.

Champions Day

Fahey confirmed an appearance on Qipco Champions Day on October 15th is the likely to be the next port of call.

“He’s incredible and came here in top form,” the Malton handler said. “He has a lot of class and a lot of speed. It’s probably the biggest win of my career.

“It looked like he was going to win easily, but he had to battle a bit, and that’s good as it will help him to mature.

“We were very worried about the [low] draw, because the ground appeared to be a fair bit quicker on the far side, but needn’t have been.

“He will probably go to Ascot now for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

“I’ll have to speak to John [Ferguson, Godolphin racing manager], but I don’t think the Breeders’ Cup is on the agenda at present.”

Connections of Galileo Gold felt the Classic hero was too keen to do himself justice.

“He was just too free early and had no cover,” said Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Al Shaqab Racing.

“Ideally it would have been nice to follow something, but he got very lit up and ran with the choke out.

“Let’s see how he comes out of it, but I think he can have a mini-break and then we can look to run in the QEII.”

Andre Fabré was pleased with the performance of the runner-up, Vadamos.

Saddled

The French maestro also saddled last year’s winner Esoterique, who finished sixth this time.

“Vadamos had been working with a lot of enthusiasm going into the race and I was confident of a big run from him,” he said.

“He settled into his rhythm and came there to win. I think he has done everything right and there are many options ahead, both in France and abroad.”