All-the-way success for Volkan Star in G3 Prix du Lys

Volkan Star recorded a first G3 win when making all in the Prix du Lys over a mile and a half at Longchamp, France, on Tuesday, 14 July.

The Charlie Appleby-trained three-year-old was stepping up in class and trip following two excellent runs in 10-furlong Listed races at Newmarket, most recently when beating subsequent G2 Dante winner Thunderous in the Fairway Stakes on Saturday, 27 June.

Sent to the front of the four runners by William Buick, Volkan Star soon established a two-length lead over the field. He kicked on with three furlongs to race and stayed on strongly in the straight.

Ketil and Measure Of Time made late inroads into Volkan Star’s advantage but the son of Sea The Stars was always in control and galloped out well for a three-quarter length victory.

Charlie Appleby said: “We were coming into today’s race with some confidence on the back of Volkan Star’s form lines in the UK. We were hopeful that he had that form behind him and that stepping up in trip would see a bit more improvement. It was a nice, straightforward victory.

“He is growing up all the time and I am delighted that we brought him over here. We gelded him for a reason – he didn’t have his mind on the job and was always a bit of a worrier – but he has turned inside out since. I was keen to bring him over to hopefully educate him for a little bit further down the line.

“It was always our plan to try and make it a nice, even gallop on the front end and he has done that. When they have come to him, he has found a bit more, so it was pleasing. We haven’t set our sights on anything else just yet. William said to keep a mile and a half for now, so we will aim for something slightly higher over this trip.”

William Buick said: “Volkan Star is a stayer. He was pricking his ears in front but we were going uphill and I was happy. He is a very nice horse, who is still a big baby, and will improve a lot. Today was his first time over a mile and a half and we always hoped that this distance would be better for him. I think his future for now is over this trip.”