RACING:FAMOUS NAME could be on his travels again next month with Dermot Weld examining Longchamp's Prix Du Moulin as a possible option for an attempt by his stalwart star to finally nail an elusive Group One prize.
The Juddmonte-owned six-year-old finished runner-up in the highest class for the fourth time in his career when finding Durban Thunder too good for him in Munich earlier this month. It continued a frustrating run for the prolific son of Dansili who has won 14 of his 27 starts but still has yet to score at Group One level.
One of those near-misses came in the 2009 Moulin when Aqlaam proved too good for him but Weld is examining the mile event for one of his favourite runners of recent years. “He ran a very good race in Germany the last day to be beaten just a length and a half. There are plenty of options coming up for him including the Irish Champion Stakes and the Moulin. I would say he will run in one or the other. But I will definitely look at the Moulin,” the Curragh trainer said yesterday.
Famous Name’s run of Group One ‘seconditis’ in France also includes a memorable run in the 2008 Prix Du Jockey Club where he almost overcame a bad draw to be just beaten by Vision D’Etat on the line. Yellow Rosebud, runner-up to the Guineas favourite Maybe in Sunday’s Debutante Stakes at the Curragh, could also be on her way to France later this season with Weld nominating the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day as a possible target for the filly. “She’s a lovely filly. Hopefully there will be a big race in her and I will definitely look at the Boussac,” Weld said. He also confirmed that his 2010 Ascot Gold Cup hero Rite Of Passage will not be seen in action again until next spring. Rite Of Passage was being prepared to defend his Gold Cup crown in June after an encouraging reappearance in the Savel Beg but was ruled out just days beforehand.
Next week’s Juddmonte International at York is the target for Aidan O’Brien’s Hardwicke Stakes winner Await The Dawn who already tops the ante-post betting for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.
O’Brien has also confirmed his Epsom Oaks runner-up Wonder Of Wonders as on target for the Yorkshire Oaks while the ante-post St Leger favourite Seville looks the number one Ballydoyle contender for the big Doncaster trial, the Great Voltigeur Stakes.
