Pleasing G1 performances before Hurricane heads to Doncaster

Victor Ludorum, Passion And Glory and Creative Force all produced admirable displays in defeat ahead of a pivotal week of racing in Europe and beyond.

Shamardal colt Victor Ludorum signalled a return to the level of form that saw him capture G1 races at two and three as he finished strongly to take third in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp in France.

Passion And Glory acquitted himself well on ground faster than ideal in Germany as he came home third on his first G1 appearance in the Grosser Preis von Baden. Quick ground also counted against Creative Force in the G1 Sprint Cup in the UK.

A slow break further compromised the three-year-old’s chances, but the son of Dubawi nevertheless ran an excellent race to go down by three lengths against seasoned opposition.

Both Passion And Glory and Creative Force look set to make their presence felt given suitable conditions over the autumn, with a potential trip to Ascot for British Champions Day under consideration for the duo.

Lake Lucerne scored in an allowance optional claimer to help wrap up a hugely successful Summer Meet at Saratoga that saw 15 of Godolphin’s 23 runners finish in the first three, yielding prize money in excess of US$2million.

Adventuring also triumphed in the US as she coped well with the unique demands of Kentucky Downs to readily take the Dueling Grounds Oaks. Micheline won the same race in 2020 before graduating to G2 honours and Adventuring looks set to take high rank on turf as well.

Doncaster hosts the final Classic of the UK season, the St Leger, this Saturday and Hurricane Lane looks ideally placed to follow up wins in the Irish Derby and Grand Prix de Paris. Godolphin is seeking a record-equalling seventh success in the world’s oldest Classic.

Unbeaten two-year-old Native Trail is on course to head across the Irish Sea for the G1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes on Sunday, while Longchamp’s Arc Trials fixture on the same day is set to feature several Godolphin runners.

In Australia, last season’s Sires’ Produce hero Anamoe is due to make his eagerly awaited three-year-old return in Saturday’s G2 Run To The Rose. Paulele is also among the latest acceptors for this year’s race, which has been switched to Kembla Grange.