 |
|
| Sumita Pawar |
 |
After his impressive victory in Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, Triple Time appears likely to skip the Qipco Sussex Stakes and instead opt for the Prix Jacques le Marois in France.
Triple Time, a colt trained by Kevin Ryan and sired by Frankel, had a successful win in Queen Anne at Royal Ascot. Despite this victory, it seems probable that he will not participate in the Qipco Sussex Stakes and instead choose to compete in the Prix Jacques le Marois in France.
Triumph Against All Odds
Despite being withdrawn from the Lockinge Stakes due to a stomach cramp and having not raced since October, Triple Time managed to secure a victory at Ascot against tough competition, including notable winners Inspiral, Modern Games, Angel Bleu, and Native Trail.
Jockey Neil Callan guided the colt, owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, to a narrow win by a neck over Inspiral. Both Triple Time and Inspiral are considering a trip to Deauville, where Inspiral aims to win the race for the second consecutive year.
Adam Ryan, son and assistant to the Hambleton trainer, said, “Triple Time has come out of the race absolutely fine and done very well.
“It was his first run of the year and so he’d be entitled to come on for that as well. It was impressive what he did.
“To do that after such a long time off, not only to do that against Group One horses, but horses who’d had a run under their belt, was great.”
Though Triple Time holds an entry in the Sussex Stakes and is currently the general third-favorite behind Paddington and Inspiral, connections are keen on the August 12 Group One contest over a mile at Deauville instead.
“I think we are probably leaning towards France and the Prix Jacques le Marois,” said Ryan. “It’s nice timing between races and it will be more of a conventional track as well. He is obviously in the Sussex, as it was an early-closing race.
“It is tough because you have to make the entries, but at the same time, it is never firmed up, because of ground etc. Horses map their own way out. Group One horses, we all know the races for them.”
Fonteyn, last year's Group One Sun Chariot winner, has retired, according to Ryan. The filly, sired by Farhh, had a successful career, winning the Listed Michael Seely Memorial at York and ending her racing days with a victory over Laurel at Newmarket in October.
Ryan said, “Fonteyn retired after her last run. Going into this year there were only a couple of fillies-only Group Ones for her here and she wasn’t the best of travellers, so that scuppers any chance of going to France or Ireland.
“We were very limited, so we discussed with Sheikh Obaid and the best option was to retire her and go out on a high.”