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| Staff Writer |
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Following his impressive victory in the US$5 million Dubai Turf, Facteur Cheval is considering the possibility of competing at Royal Ascot for his next start.
Originally, there were plans for Facteur Cheval to venture to Hong Kong following his triumph in the Dubai Turf. However, those plans have been shelved, and the Irish-bred 5YO gelding, sired by Ribchester, will return to trainer Jerome Reynier's stables in France. Here, he will undergo preparations for an anticipated European campaign set for the upcoming summer.
Although Facteur Cheval marked his debut outside Europe in the Dubai Turf, he is owned by American entities, Team Valor, and Gary Barber. The gelding's journey throughout 2023 had been characterized by steady improvement, culminating in a stellar performance where he narrowly edged out Namur, a strong contender from Japan, to claim victory by a mere nose in the Dubai Turf.
Initially, there were discussions about the possibility of Facteur Cheval proceeding to Hong Kong to participate in the prestigious Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes scheduled for 28th April. However, recent indications suggest that the illustrious races at Royal Ascot, namely the Queen Anne over a flat mile or the Prince of Wales's over approximately 1 5/16 miles, might become Facteur Cheval's new focal point, as hinted by a representative from Team Valor.