Facteur Cheval and Horizon Dore Being Considered for Return Trips to Britain

[Wandering Eyes]

Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) will be given the chance to gain compensation for his “nightmare” run in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes when he makes his next intended appearance in the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, a race in which he filled the runner-up spot behind Paddington (GB) in 2023.

Trainer Jerome Reynier was optimistic of a prominent showing at Royal Ascot from his stable star, who was having his first start since winning the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in March. In the event, however, Facteur Cheval never looked likely to double his top-level tally, ultimately passing the post over eight lengths behind the winner, Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), in sixth place.

It's a performance which his trainer is keen to put a line through as he plots a return to Britain for the Goodwood highlight on Wednesday, July 31, with the way the race developed at Ascot going against his runner from an early stage.

“The tactics of following Big Rock [did not work] as at the three-furlong pole he had to make his effort on his own, which was impossible,” Reynier explained. “He needs someone [another horse] to rely on and he was just on his own. He's a fighter and when he won the Dubai Turf he came between horses and when Namur came on his outside he kept battling hard.

“He also lost a shoe, I think quite early in the race, so it was just a disaster and a nightmare.

“The plan is to go back to Goodwood because he ran so well there last year. Obviously the ground was very heavy and I think he is better with a bit of cut in the ground.”

Reynier enjoyed better luck at the meeting with his G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes runner-up Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), who is now being considered for a tilt at the G1 Juddmonte International following his career-best effort in defeat behind Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

One place behind Zarakem in the Prince of Wales's was his compatriot Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), another for whom the York feature on Wednesday, August 21 has been identified as a potential target, having delighted his connections at Ascot.

“We were very happy with our results during Royal Ascot week,” said Pauline Chehboub, racing manager for her family's Gousserie Racing operation who part-own the gelding.

“Horizon Dore ran a great race, mentally he grew a lot. Next time we can ride him more positively, depending on the draw. We have to decide the plan but he will have an entry for the Juddmonte International at York in August.”

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