Qatar Lagardère: Lanfranco Dettori consoles himself with a win on Angel Bleu

3 October 2021

Lagardere 21 Angel Bleu

Photo scoopdyga.com

Lanfranco Dettori will not ride the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as his intended mount, Love, is a non-runner, but the crack jockey won’t be leaving ParisLongchamp empty-handed: having ridden the colt Angel Bleu, trained in Britain by Ralph Beckett, to victory in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère. It’s a victory with a French resonance, as Angel Bleu was bred by the Ecurie des Monceaux (in the Calvados region). The second, Noble Truth, from the Godolphin stable – who are doubly represented in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – is also French-bred (Jean-Pierre Dubois). The third, Ancient Rome, was the first home of the Gallic juveniles. He was not helped by an unfavourable (9) draw.

 

WHAT CONNECTIONS SAID

 

Lanfranco Dettori (the jockey of Angel Bleu, 1st)

« I had a good draw and a good race. I waited until the false straight before making my move. I always knew that we were going to win! I don't ride in the Arc unfortunately, but winning a Group 1 race on this card is always special. I'm delighted for the owner, Marc Chan, who is a newcomer to racing, having acquired several horses with a view to winning the Hong Kong Derby. »

Ralph Beckett (the trainer of Angel Bleu, 1st)

« This is my first Group 1 win in France. We came here on account of the ground. The turn certainly helped him. He had to be tough today and he was. It's great for the team. He’s a horse that has always been forward. Marc Chan is a perfect owner - very easy going. Jamie McCalmont has also managed the horse well. It's a success story from start to finish. The Breeders' Cup is a possibility. However, at Del Mar, you have to go to the beach to find soft ground! It will also depend on how he recovers. I'm not ruling out the Dewhurst Stakes. He's already run well in the wake of his races have come close together. »

Charlie Appleby (the trainer of Noble Truth, 2nd)

« He is still a bit immature and the decision to come here was made this week after he did a good gallop. We could go to Saint-Cloud with him. He has been adapting well to French conditions. We are delighted with his effort. »

Mickaël Barzalona (the jockey of Ancient Rome, 3rd)

« Ancient Rome ran well. We would have preferred to have been drawn on the inside. Unfortunately, we were forced to deal with his number nine draw. He was not hampered by the ground – judged by the way that he finished his race. »