The Prix de Cabourg at Deauville has been dominated by top international trainers including Freddy Head, Andre Fabre and Aidan O’Brien in recent years but on Sunday 3rd August Archie Watson joined that illustrious roll of honour.
Our tough two-year-old Tadej brought the prestigious Group 3 prize back to Saxon Gate after a resolute performance in the valuable six-furlong sprint.
Given a typically strong ride by stable jockey Hollie Doyle, the son of Ardad was headed by market rival Afjan before mounting a spirited fightback to secure a half-length victory in the €73,000 race.
Wearing blinkers for the first time and sent off the 8-5 favourite, Tadej confirmed the promise of his close third in the Group 2 Goffs Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly in July.
Afterwards Archie said: “It was great for Tadej to get a well-deserved Group race win. He’s a very talented horse and brought high class form into the race from the Coventry and the Robert Papin.
“Hollie gave him a great ride and he did it all himself away from the others against the rail and kept responding when the second horse challenged. He has plenty of scope to go further and we will look at seven-furlong Group races now as well as the valuable sales races that he has entries in.”
Tadej was winning for the second time following success in a York novice in May, after which he was a creditable sixth in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. His entries include the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York in mid-August and the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster in September.
He was purchased for Jinky Farms by Archie and Blandford Bloodstock for £65,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sales.
By Simon Mapletoft
