Moonlight magical as she completes Deauville Group One double
Freddie Head’s brilliant mare became the first horse to win the Normandy track’s twin Group One highlights in the same year – just seven days after her record-breaking third triumph in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.
Veteran rider Thierry Jarnet’s mount saw a three-length advantage eroded all the way to the line by the gallant Olympic Glory, but in a desperate finish held Frankie Dettori’s mount by a short head.
The hot favourite, Prix du Jockey Club hero Intello, proved no match for the principals and under Olivier Peslier finished a length and three quarters back in third.
Dawn Approach looked superb in the paddock and did not appear to have visibly lost any condition since his tough Sussex Stakes battle with Toronado, but when asked for his effort Kevin Manning’s mount was swamped by the blistering turn of foot of the winner.
While Toronado’s connections must now have every reason to believe he is the best miler in Europe, Head is plotting a campaign of between one and three more races for his George Strawbridge-owned champion.
After the result of the photograph was announced, Head said: “I was behind the line and wasn’t sure of the result, but as soon as he came back Thierry said she was relaxed and cantering all the way.
“In fact he had to go on a bit sooner than ideal but I know that when a horse is travelling as well as she was you cannot disappoint them by checking their momentum. He did absolutely the right thing by letting her go on, and he said she would have found a little more if necessary.”
Head has no doubts that the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Arc day will be Moonlight Cloud’s next race, with a possibility it could be her last.
The trainer said: “We’ll see how she is. The plan has always been to bypass the Moulin and to run in the Foret on Arc day. After that it will be up to George Strawbridge.
“If we carry on Hong Kong could be in line, but although I love the Breeders’ Cup the problem is that she ran very badly at Santa Anita last year and the meeting is at the same course.
“On the other hand if Mr Strawbridge wants to retire her on a high note that could happen after the Foret.”
Olympic Glory covered himself with glory and left the Hannons contemplating what a champion they must have in Toronado.
Richard Hannon jnr said: “Frankie rode a perfect race, it was just unfortunate that Dawn Approach came back at a vital stage and it cost us a stride.
“I’m thrilled with this horse. It was a massive run as he hadn’t been right at home. But now we can play all the options.”
Oliver Peslier said he had “no excuses” for Andre Fabre’s Intello who was backed to the virtual exclusion of anything else.
Declaration Of War failed to enhance the look of the Sussex form, although in finishing fourth Aidan O’Brien’s colt had several Group One winners behind and was six lengths in front of the eased Dawn Approach in fifth.
John Gosden said of Elusive Kate, who was seventh: “She got involved a tad earlier than ideal, but she ran her race and I was satisfied.”
Her rider William Buick said: “She ran well but the ground was a bit quick for her.”
Dawn Approach’s trainer Jim Bolger said: “We will take him home and freshen him up for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in the autumn.”
Manning gave a more guarded summary and said: “He just wasn’t the same racehorse he has been all year.”
Earlier the Dettori-ridden Bunker paid a compliment to his Royal Ascot conqueror Berkshire with a gritty triumph in the Prix Francois Boutin. Hannon’s colt made all and refused to be denied by the persistent Karakontie in the Listed contest.
Hannon jnr said: “I told Frankie to make it and that he’d be the first off the bridle. He’s a very nice horse and we’ve always thought a lot of him. We were a little bit surprised he was beaten in the Chesham, but he’s just a big baby.”
Dettori disappointed the crowd when not doing a flying dismount, but he explained: “He’s too nervous to jump off him. Let’s go straight to a mile. If the ground was a bit softer he would have won easier. We can dream about him.”
