Prix Royal-Oak bid by Kitesurf

Kitesurf steps up in trip for the final major staying prize of the European season, the G1 Prix Royal-Oak, over just shy of two miles at Saint-Cloud, France, on Sunday, October 22.

 

The three-year-old Dubawi filly, trained by Andre Fabre, kept on when a close third, beaten a short-neck and a head, in the G2 Prix de Royallieu at Chantilly over a mile and a half on September 30.

 

She faded to 10th on her only previous G1 appearance, in the extended 10-furlong Classic, the Prix de Diane, at Chantilly in June, having been the comfortable winner of the 12-furlong G3 Prix de Royaumont at the same course earlier the same month.

 

Kitesurf, partnered by Mickael Barzalona as usual, lines up against eight rivals headed by Vazirabad, who has won the last two renewals of the Prix Royal-Oak, G2 Prix Chaudenay scorer Ice Breeze and G2 Lonsdale Cup victor Montaly.

 

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Kitesurf has done very well since the Prix de Royallieu and should appreciate the cut in the ground.

 

“This distance is a step into the unknown, but she is a tough filly who has stayed well over shorter trips.”