Stakes action in Europe overnight produced a new stakes-winner for Arrowfield shuttler Shalaa (IRE) and a new stakes-winner for Frankel that is trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the man who is soon to take charge of Australian Horse of the Year Verry Elleegant.
The Group II Prix Hocquart (2200m) at Longchamp was won by progressive Frankel 3YO colt L’Astronome, who was a short priced favourite.
Second at his only start last year, L’Astronome has won all three starts this year with this run his first in stakes company and he does hold an entry for the Arc so is obviously held in high regard.
A homebred for Al Asayl France, he is a half-brother to Group II placed Eltezam from well bred Giant’s Causeway mare Tymora, a daughter of Group I winner Shiva, a half-sister to Group I winner Light Shift, the dam of Champion European Older Horse in 2017 Ulysses (Galileo).
L’Astronome is the 96th stakes-winner for Frankel, who is working towards his century of stakes-winners and was super popular as a covering sire at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
There were 10 mares sold at an average $880,000 having been covered by Frankel with the highest priced being Fantasy (IRE), who fetched $1.7million.
The Listed Prix de Pontarme (1400m) for 3YO’s was won by improving colt Siam Paragon, who won by half a length as favourite.
He scored a tenacious win, his third from seven starts and confirmed the potential of his last start third in stakes company.
Siam Paragon is the seventh stakes-winner for Shalaa and is his fourth in Europe. He is the first winner for Cracker, a daughter of Group III winner Tottie.
