Almanzor, a 20-1 outsider trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, denied the Aga Khan a Derby double on Sunday when he came with a strong run inside the final furlong to beat Zarak in the Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) at Chantilly.
Zarak, in the same green and red colours which were carried to victory by Harzand at Epsom on Saturday, stayed on strongly in the closing stages but could not get on terms with the winner. Foundation, from John Gosden’s yard, attracted plenty of support before the race and set off as the 4-1 favourite but finished well beaten, while Roger Charlton’s Imperial Aviator, a supplementary entry, also failed to mount a serious challenge.
The French Derby is run over 10 furlongs rather than the Epsom Classic’s distance of a mile and a half but the winner often develops into a leading candidate for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Almanzor is quoted at around 16-1 for European racing’s all-aged championship event in October, when the race will be staged at Chantilly while its traditional home at Longchamp is redeveloped.
“He is improving and I had no doubts at all about the trip or his condition coming into the race,” Rouget said. “We always thought he had a chance. We wouldn’t have run him otherwise. We have no plans at the moment but he’ll be a better horse on better ground.”
Dermot Weld, the trainer of Harzand, said on Sunday that he will consider running the Derby winner in the St Leger at Doncaster in September.
“Time will reveal all,” Weld said. “He’s a lovely colt and he could be an ideal English Leger horse or, indeed, if it was a wet autumn, a lovely horse for the Arc.”
Hugo Palmer, who took the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket with Galileo Gold in April, added another Classic to his record when Hawksmoor took the German 1,000 Guineas at Düsseldorf.
