Godolphin to field 6 runners as racing returns to France

Unbeaten G1 winner Victor Ludorum looks to advertise his Classic credentials when French racing resumes at Longchamp on Monday following a near two-month hiatus.

Godolphin will be represented by six runners in total, five from Andre Fabre’s yard — including last year’s G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Victor Ludorum — and one trained by Henri-Alex Pantall.

The Shamardal colt makes his seasonal return in the mile G3 Prix de Fontainebleau – a trial for the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains -- having ended his two-year-old campaign with an impressive course and distance success last October.

Victor Ludorum (Mickael Barzalona) started out with two minor race victories for trainer Andre Fabre, both over a mile in September, at Chantilly and on debut at Longchamp.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Andre Fabre is happy with Victor Ludorum and he has really done well in the last six weeks.

“There will be no hiding places this year, every race is going to be competitive, but it is a pleasure to be able to take part with a horse of his quality.

“This is the starting point for the year and we will know more about future plans afterwards.” Andre Fabre and Mickael Barzalona team up on the same card with Syrtis, who bids to emulate Cloth Of Stars and Ghaiyyath with victory in the 10-furlong G2 Prix d’Harcourt.

The four-year-old colt has won or finished second on all six of his starts, filling the runner-up spot at G3 level in the Prix de Conde, the Prix Noailles and the Prix de Guiche.

Syrtis, a debut winner at Longchamp in September, 2018, makes his second appearance of 2020 after a staying-on second over six and a half furlongs in an All-Weather conditions race at Chantilly in March.

Lisa-Jane Graffard added: “Syrtis has the benefit of a run this year, albeit over two months ago now, on the All-Weather at Chantilly. He has run well on both his previous starts at Longchamp, including a second in the Prix Noailles last year, and there have always been some question marks over his best trip.

“He faces the top-rated three-year-old of 2019 in Sottsass, who is clearly ahead of everything else here, but it is an interesting and competitive race for the placings.

“It is great to see that Sottsass hasn’t frightened too much opposition away as it is important for racing fans to start to get a line on form from last year and how the different generations stack up. Hopefully, it will provide useful information for the rest of the season.” Monday’s card also includes the Prix Maurice Zilber over seven furlongs, in which five-year-old Dubawi mare Dathanna (Henri-Alex Pantall/Mickael Barzalona) goes for a first Listed victory.

Meanwhile, Hugh Anderson, Managing Director of Godolphin UK and Dubai said: “We are delighted that our season here in Europe will start with Victor Ludorum going in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau on Monday.

“We very sadly lost his outstanding sire Shamardal last month and it is very appropriate that we will see one of his brilliant three-year-old colts in action on day one of this season.

“In the UK and Dubai, Godolphin has continued to operate to best effect under the significant restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“For our riders and stable staff, social distancing and sensible precautions have allowed them to train horses much as normal and I am full of admiration for them and the trainers for their incredible patience and hard work under difficult circumstances.

“Saeed and Charlie have a lot of talent to work with and I know are ready whenever we get the green light. On the studs, the covering season is running very smoothly and the majority of our 2020 foals have now been safely delivered.

“Away from the yards, Godolphin people have been doing great work in our local community helping wherever we can, from delivering food to vulnerable people to our team in Dubai assisting the Newmarket Academy with the translation of documents for home schooling. Our charities team is also working incredibly hard on the board of the Newmarket Covid-19 Fund.

“The work of the Godolphin Lifetime Care team carries on and is currently being highlighted by our Furlong Factor finalist Lilli Hines, who is helping Racing Welfare to raise much-needed funds. In France, we are supporting Au-delà des Pistes, while in Ireland, work on education initiatives continues.”