Sangster upbeat despite Kathmandu’s narrow Classic eclipse
Famous colours went so close in Paris, with Royal Ascot a possible next port of call.
Sam Sangster was left beaming with pride after Kathmandu’s agonising near-miss in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and is backing his star filly to continue to shine in the family’s famous emerald green and blue silks this season. Trained by Brian Meehan at the Sangster family’s historic Manton Estate, the daughter of Showcasing was making just her fourth racecourse appearance in the ParisLongchamp Classic. Buoyed by an encouraging third in the Nell Gwyn at Newmarket and a helpful draw, connections headed to the French capital full of optimism where Kathmandu proved she remains an improving filly to outrun market expectation and be denied by just a head.“For a filly making just her fourth start and her first in a Group One, she just seems to be on an upwards curve. “It was a genius ride from Sean Levey and Brian Meehan and his team are so good at travelling horses all around the world, so we had every confidence going into the race she was going to be up for it. When the draw came out we felt more confident and the way she was leading into the race, we were just gaining more and more confidence and definitely didn’t have her down at 66-1.” Sangster’s late father Robert enjoyed untold success as an owner, and Kathmandu’s display in Paris appears to have earned the three-year-old filly the chance to continue representing the family at the highest level over the coming months. She holds an entry for the Commonwealth Cup back down at six furlongs at Royal Ascot, with the Jersey Stakes another possible option at the Berkshire track’s summer showpiece, while a return to France for the seven-furlong Prix Jean Prat could also be on the cards.
33/1 shock as Rouhiya fends off Kathmandu in the French 1000 Guineas for Maxime Guyon! pic.twitter.com/IJXCN3xcue
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 12, 2024
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