Group 2 Winner Completes Double For Gleneagles

The progressive Baby Rider (3c Gleneagles - Gyrella, by Oasis Dream) produced his best performance to date in Saturday’s Group 2 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud.

The Pascal Bary-trained colt won his second start in Octber and made a successful seasonal return in a Class 1 contest over course and distance last month. Sent off second favourite at the weekend, he tracked the leader under Stephane Pasquier and was asked to quicken turning for home. The front pair drew clear, fighting neck and neck for the lead, with Baby Rider gaining the advantage inside the final furlong to win by a neck on the line.

The Prix Greffulhe is often used as a stepping stone to the Prix du Jockey Club, for which Baby Rider holds an entry, as well as in the Grand Prix de Paris. Owned by Jean-Louis Bouchard, the €220,000 yearling purchase was bred by Mr and Mrs Gilles Forien.

The exciting colt completed a double on the card for Gleneagles, with Timour (3c Gleneagles - Rock My Soul, by Clodovil) having justified even-money favouritism in the opening maiden over the same trip.

The Ecurie Peregrine homebred chased the leaders under Pierre-Charles Boudot and was ridden from two furlongs out. Soon in front, he was driven out to hold off Alastor by three parts of a length, as they drew three and a half lengths clear of the field.

The Andre Fabre-trained colt had been placed on his two previous starts, including behind Martial Eagle, who went on to finish third to Baby Rider that afternoon.

2021 looks set to be another stellar season for Gleneagles, whose first crop of three-year-olds won seven Group/Stakes races in 2020.