Youmzain heads for winter break

Youmzain will not run again this season after connections scrapped plans to tackle an Italian Group One later this month.

The Mick Channon-trained three-year-old ran subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Rail Link to half a length in the Prix Niel on his penultimate start.

Youmzain then gained his first success at the highest level when notching a narrow victory in the Preis von Europa at Cologne last month.

Channon and owner Jaber Abdullah had been considering a crack at the Gran Premio Del Jockey Club E Coppa D’Oro at Milan on October 15 but the Sinndar colt will now head on his winter break instead.

Abdullah’s racing manager Bruce Raymond said: “Mr Abdullah has decided to put Youmzain away and bring him back early next year for the Dubai Carnival where he will bid for the Sheema Classic.

“He has done us proud this year and his Longchamp form looks very solid.”

Youmzain won four of his seven starts this term, including the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes at York and Newmarket’s Listed Bahrain Trophy.