French Derby Next For Saxon Warrior’s Group 3 Winner

The progressive Greenland (3c Saxon Warrior - Aktoria, by Canford Cliffs) provided Saxon Warrior with further Stakes success when justifying favouritism in the Group 3 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained bay won his maiden in good style last season, before being beaten just over a length in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes and finished third in a Group 3 on his three-year-old return last month. Stepping up to ten and a half furlongs on Monday, he raced close to the pace under Christophe Soumillon and was pushed along before two furlongs out. Leading inside the final furlong, he dug deep to prevail by a nose on the line.

Speaking after the race, Soumillon said, “Aidan O'Brien told me not to get there too soon because he can ease off once he hits the front and it's good that he warned me. I felt I had a lot more horse under me than the leader but when I went past him, I could feel my horse waiting for the other one. He'll be better on good ground and he's a magnificent horse who I think has everything you look for in a good one.”

Over at the Curragh, O’Brien added, “Christophe rang me and he was very happy with him. He said he got there a little bit early on him and the horse waited. He was very impressed with him and he thinks he’s a French Derby horse.”

Owned by Coolmore partners and Westerberg, Greenland was bred by Scea Marmion Vauville and Mr Alain Jathiere. A 300,000gns yearling, he becomes a fourth individual winner from the first crop of Saxon Warrior.