Protector moves abroad

Protector, ninth in the Stewards’ Cup, has joined Alain de Royer-Dupre’s yard to embark upon a stint in France.

Trainer Gay Kelleway hoped to run the South African recruit in the Patrick P O’Leary Memorial Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

But owner Joshua Snellings has opted to send the strapping six-year-old across the Channel to De Royer-Dupre’s stables in Chantilly, where he is likely to remain for the next few months.

“He’s come out of Goodwood in good form and that race (the Phoenix Stakes) would have been perfect for him,” said Kelleway.

“But the owner has decided to give him a go in France, which I’ve got absolutely no problems with – that’s racing.

“I’ve not had him long so I was delighted to have had a big-race win with him at Newcastle.

I think he’ll come back to me in October so we’ll wait and see.”

Stable stalwart Vortex is also unlikely to be seen on a British racecourse in the near future, with Kelleway treating the Danehill colt to a well-deserved rest.

“Vortex is on a little holiday and we’ll probably save him until the back-end of the year, when I imagine we’ll have another winter out in Dubai with him,” said the Newmarket handler.

“He’s been magnificent for me, the third in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot was the definite highlight.

“I can’t keep running him under top weight in these big handicaps – it’s killing him.”