French G1 triumph for talented Ribchester

Ribchester ran on well to win the G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois over the straight mile at Deauville, France, on Sunday, August 14.

The three-year-old Iffraaj colt, gaining his first G1 success after two thirds at that level, always travelled well under William Buick after exiting stall two.

Ribchester, trained by Richard Fahey, chased the leaders early on but soon settled in mid-division.

He moved up to fifth at half-way and was switched out to deliver his run with a quarter-mile remaining.

Ribchester produced a strong challenge, went second at the distance and ran on well to lead inside the final furlong to beat Vadamos by half a length with another length and three quarters back to the third Ervedya. The winner’s time came to 1m 36.16s on ground described as good.

The Godolphin colt was a fast-finishing third in the G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 27, when beaten a neck and a short-head, and also came third in the mile Classic, the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on April 30.

Richard Fahey commented: "It is great to win a G1 with Ribchester - I am very happy and on top of the world.

"He is a horse with an awful lot of speed, very talented and keeps improving with racing. I felt he was a better horse today than he was in the Sussex Stakes.

"Every run, he has improved - he has plenty of speed and class. He is getting stronger and better. He had to dig deep today and came out with flying colours.

"Ribchester has enough speed for six furlongs - he is quite good! We could go straight to the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1, 1m) at Ascot on October 15 and give him a break beforehand."

William Buick said: "It is a great thrill to win one of the most prestigious races in France and Ribchester might have been unlucky in the Sussex Stakes.

"I was aware that I was drawn away from the likes of Galileo Gold and Vadamos today, but my horse was always happy sitting close to the pace and quickened up nicely when I asked him.

"We were going away at the finish and he is one of the best milers I’ve ridden."