Hocquart: L'Astronome goes further

May 26, 2022, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris). – Favourite of the Prix Hocquart (Gr2)'s 5 runners gathered on a soft ground, L’Astronome (Frankel) had to take the lead on his own after Galaxie Gold (Dariyan) was held up along the rail. Steered by Christophe Soumillon, the chestnut Al Asayl homebred was challenged all the way to the wire in the final stage, Galaxie Gold proving to be the boldest rival on his inside. Once threatened by the Damien de Watrigant trainee, Francis-Henri Graffard's colt finally recovered in time and was only pushed in the last 50 yards to score by a head, but crossing the wire at full speed. Third concluded Lavello (Zarak), a Group3 winner in Germany who did well for his first test in France.

L’Astronome won his two first races in 2022. He had run only once last season at 2, finishing second to Epic Poet -a winner this term for his return- in October at ParisLongchamp.

L’Astronome is in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, the Grand Prix de Paris -which should be his main aim this season, according to the trainer-, and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. As for Christophe Soumillon, he said the colt would be better off on firmer ground.

Homebred by Al Asayl, L’Astronome is the fifth foal out of Tymora (Giant’s Causeway), a mare bred by the Niarchos whose gelding Forgotten Realm (Oasis Dream) was sold at Deauville in February for €2,000. She was herself sold for £10,500 at Tattersalls in 2010 after five races and no win. It is not much for a daughter of the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Gr1) winner Shiva (Hector Protector), sister to Limnos and Oaks winner Light Shift, whose third dam is no other than the French Oaks and Vermeille winner Northern Trick!

Before L’Astronome, Tymora also foaled Eltezam (Kodiac), a Coventry Stakes (Gr2) à3rd at 2, whose full brother is born in 2021.