Saint-Georges: Batwan back on track

A traditional kick-off for the French sprinters' program, the Prix de Saint-Georges (Gr3), for 3 years and over 5 furlongs at ParisLongchamp, opened the first meeting since the lockdown was enforced on March 17. It was run on the straight course with a strong headwind.

Drawn 10 outside, the 5-year-old Batwan (Kendargent), rather keen early on, went along the whole race, facing the wind, while his neighbour at the start Ken Colt ( Kendargent), drawn 9, set off at full speed to lead the race with the titleholder Sestilio Jet (French Fifteen). Batwan never gave up to finish and passed the post half a length ahead of Gold Vibe (Dream Ahead), who has trailed him from the start. Sestilio Jet remained third at a neck and only a short neck ahead of a closing Red Torch (Air Chief Marshall), fourth.

Batwan did not find a buyer at € 25,000 at the Deauville yearling sales and therefore runs for his breeder, Guy Pariente. He started racing in the Winter of his 3-years-old at Cagnes-sur-Mer with a victory, and quickly tackled the best sprinters of his generation with mixed success. Second in this race in 2019 after a second place in a Listed race a month earlier, he had not run since then.

The winner’s dam Matwan (Indian Rocket) won the Prix des Rpêves d'Or (L) at 2 at Vichy. She is also the dam of the good miler Matorio (Oratorio), second in the Prix du Muguet (Gr2) won in 2014 by Sommerabend. Matwan foaled another Kendargent filly, now 4 and unraced, then Wanaway (Galiway), winner of two races including the Prix Ronde de Nuit (L) over 5.5f in March at Chantilly on very heavy ground. She gave two colts by Galiway afterwards and was mated to the same sire last year.