Muguet: Duhail reaches new heights

Saturday, May 1st, 2021, Saint-Cloud Racecourse (Hauts-de-Seine). - A good second to Wally (Siyouni) in the Edmond Blanc (Gr3) last time out after a winning comeback over the all-weather at Chantilly, Duhail (Lope de Vega) took timely revenge in the Prix du Muguet (Gr2), the next step towards the mile greatness in France. It is the first success at such a level for the Al Shaqab Racing-owned 5-year-old gelding, a winner of a major handicap last season over 7 furlongs at Longchamp for his seasonal bow. Trained by André Fabre, he was ridden in the fifth position by Vincent Cheminaud, came by entering the last straight and then took over a resolute front-running Pretreville (Acclamation). The latter never surrendered and finished second one and half-length down, also a good length ahead of a coming back Victor Ludorum (Shamardal), and the favourite The Revenant (Dubawi), who simply is not as good on faster ground.

Duhail was paid € 300,000 at the Arqana breeze-up sales in May 2018, and he was gelded three months later. he started his career in April last year and won twice over 7 furlongs before finishing 2nd in the Prix Kistena (L). At 4, he won twice in the Summer, and a third time in this big handicap mentioned earlier.