Mastercraftsman Colt Rises To Group 1 Occasion

Technician (3c Mastercraftsman - Arosa, by Sadler’s Wells) continued his impressive rise through the ranks when staying on well to win the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp on Sunday.

The Martyn Meade-trained grey has gone from strength to strength throughout the season, particularly when stepped up in trip and was last seen taking the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay at the same track earlier in the month. Pierre-Charles Boudot took the ride once again, positioning his mount in mid-division and produced a strong challenge from the three furlong pole. Leading approaching the final furlong, he stayed on well to beat the favourite Call The Wind by a length and a quarter.

Speaking after the race, assistant trainer Freddie Meade commented, “He's a lovely stayer. We'll find out as we go along what he can do but he's done enough as a three-year-old and he'll have a well-deserved rest. We'll make a plan through the winter and dream about what we can do from there.”

The Ascot Gold Cup may now be a possible target for the Team Valor-owned winner, who was bred by Barronstown Stud, also known as the breeders of three-time Ascot Gold Cup hero Yeats (Sadler’s Wells). Technician becomes the 14th Group 1 winner by Mastercraftsman and being out of a Sadler’s Wells mare, is bred on a similar cross to The Grey Gatsby.