Saxon Gate stars BRAVE EMPEROR and Saint Lawrence made it Group success at the double for Archie and the team in France on Sunday, 6th August.
Middleham Park Racing’s prolific three-year-old claimed his second international Group victory before Saint Lawrence ran the race of his life to be a close third in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
Regular rider Luke Morris had three-parts of a length to spare over his nearest rival on Brave Emperor in the Group 3 Prix Daphnis – Fonds Europeen de l’Elevage – Prix Famille Saleh-Selman over a mile in testing conditions.
Now the son of Sioux Nation, who has won seven of his 12 career starts, looks set to be on his travels again soon with possible engagements in France and Germany this season.
“We will look at races like the Oettingen Rennen at Baden Baden and the Prix du Moulin at Paris Longchamp now,” says Archie. “He’s tough and consistent and deserves to take his chance up in grade.
“It was a very good performance to win that Group 3 under a penalty and Luke gave him a fantastic ride,” adds Archie, whose gelding was supplementing his win at the same level at Krefeld in Germany in April and the Listed Prix de la Californie at Cagnes-Sur-Mer in February.
Meanwhile, our Wokingham winner Saint Lawrence stepped up in class to finish only a short-head and a neck behind home challenger King Gold and fellow British raider Spycatcher in the six and a half-furlong Prix Maurice de Gheest, with his Royal Ascot partner Hollie Doyle in the saddle.
As Archie explains, with a clearer passage the result may have been even better. “He ran a huge race but was just unfortunate not to get a better trip through the race. He only got out late and had to challenge away from the first two.”
Now the five-year-old will remain in Group 1 company with the Sprint Cup at Haydock Park in September and the Champions Sprint at Ascot the following month high on the agenda. “I’m sure he can win a big one when it sets up right for him,” adds Archie, who only began training Saint Lawrence in the spring.
By Simon Mapletoft
