Kikkuli in line for crack at top-grade honours in France
‘He bounced out of Ascot in good shape and the owners are keen to roll the dice.’
Frankel’s little brother Kikkuli is set to get his first shot at Group One glory in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville on Sunday. Harry Charlton’s colt has plenty to live up to as a son of Kingman and a half-sibling to one of the greatest horses to ever grace the turf, but he has so far upheld family honour admirably. Since breaking his maiden tag at the second attempt at Newmarket in April, the Juddmonte homebred has finished second in a soft-ground Heron Stakes at Sandown before going down by a diminishing short head to Haatem in a pulsating renewal of the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. With Haatem having previously been placed in the 2000 Guineas and the Irish equivalent, connections of Kikkuli feel he now fully merits his place at the highest level, with this weekend’s seven-furlong feature across the Channel appearing an ideal target. “I think so long as Harry is happy with him in the morning, the plan is for him to go to Deauville. He bounced out of Ascot in good shape and the owners are keen to roll the dice,” said Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon. “He obviously had a big run in Ascot and we’re looking forward to seeing him again. The form of the Jersey stacks up, he obviously pushed Haatem all the way and there was River Tiber and plenty of other very good horses behind him.“Seven furlongs was perfect in Ascot, Deauville is a nice, fair track and hopefully the ground is good. “With his pedigree, if he was to clinch a Group One it would be a great result.”
Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
French Master shows true worth with Doncaster triumph
Son of Frankel claims race won by stablemate Sweet William last term.
-
Trueshan returns to top form with classy Sandown strike
Alan King’s popular veteran scores for first time this season under Hollie Doyle.
-
Late rain helps Al Mubhir to put win drought behind him
John Smith’s Cup at York could be next target for Sandown scorer.
-
Aesterius scorches Sandown turf in Dragon Stakes
Goodwood beckons next for the Richmond or the Molecomb.
-
Prescott content with opting to take Haydock chance with Tiffany
Progressive filly was a winner just over a week ago at Newcastle.
-
Loughnane hoping Soprano will be on song again at Sandown
Royal Ascot heroine bids for Listed-class success in Coral Distaff.
-
‘Unique’ City Of Troy primed for another epic display in Eclipse
‘He has grown up and matured and we’ve been very happy with everything since Epsom.’
-
Back-to-form Al Riffa one of those looking to sack City Of Troy
Joseph O’Brien runner is almost an enemy from within.
-
West hoping for Dream outcome to set up Nunthorpe defence
Things went against York winner last time out at Haydock.
-
Total Eclipse by St Mark’s has special place in O’Brien’s affections
Sandown defeat of Addeybb and Mishriff ranks highly for Ballydoyle trainer.