€80,000 Hocquart: First Minister, straight to the point

May 25th,  2023, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris). - Coming in second last time out on this ParisLongchamp course, First Minister (Galileo) chalked up his first win of 2023, directly in this €80,000 Prix Hocquart (Gr3). Slotted in a month ago between Feed the Flame (Kingman), a future favourite in the Qatar Prix du Jockey-Club (Gr1), and the well-regarded Silver Crack (Cracksman), First Minister added depth to this form, winning here in fine fashion.

In a race led by the gelding Harry Way (Galiway), the Coolmore graduate put in a nice turn of foot on the inside to score easily. The front-runner bravely resisted Rashforf (Zarak), clocking the best final 3 furlongs in 34.67 seconds. Entered in the Grand Prix de Paris on the upcoming 14th of July, the winner will see his entry fee paid thanks to this victory.

First Minister is out of Naples Bay (Giant’s Causeway), a Gr3-winner over the mile in the United States. He was bred by the Naples Bay Syndicate. Aside from First Minister, Naples Bay also gave Lowering Peach (Galileo), a maiden winner also fourth in a Gr2 in Ireland. The 2-year-old by Galileo was purchased last year for €230,000 by BBA Ireland at Tattersalls. She has a yearling by Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj). Her dam, Cappucino Bay (Bailjumper), also gave the famed sire Medaglia d’Oro (El Prado), a three-time Gr1 winner in the United States.