Naaqoos to Race at Deauville August 9
Freddie Head is bidding for his fourth six-furlong Prix Maurice de Gheest with Naaqoos (Oasis Dream) on Sunday, August 9, at Deauville.
This is a Breeders' Cup Challenge race and the winner of the Prix will be guaranteed a place in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint which will run at six-and-half furlongs on Saturday, November 7.
Marchand D'Or Fr (Marchand De Sable USA) won the race last year for Head and for the two years before. He is sidelined for a rest this year.
Three-year-old Naaqoos has not raced since May when he was demoted to sixth (after coming in third) in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Group 1), over a mile, for interference.
He went down to Le Havre Ire (Noverre USA) by a head in the Listed Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte in April and Le Havre went on to win the Group One Prix du Jockey Club, 1m 2f, in June.
Naaqoos was an impressive two-year old when he won his debut over the same course and distance as the Maurice de Gheest in August 2008 and beat leading two-year olds in the seven-furlong Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp during the Arc de Triomphe meet.
On Sunday, he will be up against the seasoned filly African Rose (Observatory) of Head's sister Criquettte Head-Maarek, Serious Attitude Ire (Mtoto) trained by Rae Guest and William Haggas' King's Apostle Ire (King's Best USA).
"We will certainly consider the Breeders' Cup for him if he runs well at Deauville and the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint could be an option for him," said Head.
RACING INTERNATIONAL http://www.racingint.com
This is a Breeders' Cup Challenge race and the winner of the Prix will be guaranteed a place in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint which will run at six-and-half furlongs on Saturday, November 7.
Marchand D'Or Fr (Marchand De Sable USA) won the race last year for Head and for the two years before. He is sidelined for a rest this year.
Three-year-old Naaqoos has not raced since May when he was demoted to sixth (after coming in third) in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Group 1), over a mile, for interference.
He went down to Le Havre Ire (Noverre USA) by a head in the Listed Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte in April and Le Havre went on to win the Group One Prix du Jockey Club, 1m 2f, in June.
Naaqoos was an impressive two-year old when he won his debut over the same course and distance as the Maurice de Gheest in August 2008 and beat leading two-year olds in the seven-furlong Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp during the Arc de Triomphe meet.
On Sunday, he will be up against the seasoned filly African Rose (Observatory) of Head's sister Criquettte Head-Maarek, Serious Attitude Ire (Mtoto) trained by Rae Guest and William Haggas' King's Apostle Ire (King's Best USA).
"We will certainly consider the Breeders' Cup for him if he runs well at Deauville and the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint could be an option for him," said Head.
RACING INTERNATIONAL http://www.racingint.com
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