Chantilly return for Stage Magic in Prix de Conde

Stage Magic goes after a second straight G3 success at Chantilly, France, in the Prix de Conde over nine furlongs on Saturday, October 7. 

The two-year-old colt, trained by Charlie Appleby, rallied gamely for a short-head verdict over subsequent G1 runner-up Olmedo in the mile G3 Prix des Chenes on soft going at the course on September 3. 

Stage Magic was headed on the line when going down by a short-head on his first trip to France, in a Deauville Listed contest over a mile on August 19, and stormed to a decisive victory in a seven-furlong novice race at Newbury, UK, on July 21, his second start.

The son of Dark Angel, ridden again by James Doyle, takes on five rivals – Parabak, Korevsky, King Of Camelot, Kingstar and Luminate – who all go into the Prix de Conde on the back of victories.

Charlie Appleby said: “Stage Magic has to carry a penalty for his victory in the Prix des Chenes, but I feel that soft ground and stepping up in trip is going to suit him. 

“He brings a good level of form to the race, with Olmedo having gone on to finish second in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere last weekend, and looks the one to beat.”

Elsewhere on the same card, three-year-olds D’bai (Charlie Appleby/James Doyle) and Glen Shiel (Andre Fabre/Maxime Guyon) line up in the six-runner Listed Prix le Fabuleux over nine furlongs. 

Andre Fabre also sends two-year-old colt Beau Ideal (Pierre-Charles Boudot and drawn 11), who was beaten a neck in the Listed Prix Saraca over six and a half furlongs  at Maisons-Laffitte on September 11, against 10 opponents in the five-furlong Listed Criterium de Vitesse.