Graffard Eyeing Nassau For Channel

[Wandering Eyes]

Francis-Henri Graffard is certainly having a season to remember and things could get even better for the trainer as he begins to plot the next course for his Classic winner Channel (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}). The filly came out best in a tight finish to claim the G1 Prix de Diane Longines at Chantilly and Graffard is giving serious thought to aiming the Samuel De Barros owned filly at the G1 Qatar Nassau S. at Glorious Goodwood Aug 1. “Channel is in very good form and the Nassau S. is a possible target,” Graffard said. “We are keeping all our options open with her at the moment but the options are probably the Nassau or the Prix Jacques Le Marois [at Deauville]. If she continues to be fit and well in the coming weeks, then the Nassau could definitely be an aim. I would love to have a runner at Goodwood. It is a place I like very much and I think the track will suit her,” he added. Graffard has won two of the most important races for 3-year-old fillies in the European calendar this season courtesy of Channel and last week’s G1 Coronation S. winner Watch Me (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}), with the pair having gone through the sales ring for a combined total of €100,000. “Channel was very impressive in the Prix de Diane and it was very special to win that race before Watch Me’s victory at Royal Ascot,” he reflected.

In other Goodwood news the track has confirmed it has extended a sponsorship deal with the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC) which sees the Qatar name being the principal sponsor of Glorious Goodwood until 2024 at least. The five-day festival has benefitted from lucrative prize-money since the association came about and the extension was agreed on Tuesday following a meeting with Goodwood owner the Duke of Richmond and QREC chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi.

 

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