Ballydoyle shines with Los Angeles in Criterium de Saint-Cloud

Irish Raid on Criterium de Saint-Cloud Yields Unexpected Results

In a surprising turn of events, the Irish raiders dominated the prestigious Criterium de Saint-Cloud race, but not in the predicted order. Aidan O’Brien’s Los Angeles defied expectations and emerged as the victor, leaving punters astounded.

Ridden by Christophe Soumillon, Los Angeles took advantage of racing along the stands side rail to outshine Joseph O’Brien’s Islandsinthestream. With odds of 67-10, Los Angeles secured Group One glory over a challenging 10 furlongs.

The runner-up was closely followed by Illinois under Ryan Moore’s guidance. Despite being joint-favorites at 19-10 alongside Islandsinthestream, Illinois had to settle for third place.

“He’s a very big horse and you would imagine he’s going to be a better horse next year,” mentioned O’Brien about his talented colt from Camelot during an interview.

O’Brien further explained that they believed this experience would benefit Los Angeles greatly. According to Soumillon, the colt showed remarkable potential throughout the race despite struggling with changing legs smoothly. However, once he managed it successfully, he displayed an impressive burst of speed.

Soumillon went on to suggest that Los Angeles could potentially become a Classic horse and even handle longer distances like a mile and a half—an exciting prospect for future races.

David Menuisier Returns to Group One Success

David Menuisier made quite an impression as Sunway triumphed against French favorite Alcantor in the esteemed Group One Criterium International held at Saint-Cloud—a joyful homecoming for the Sussex-based trainer.

Oisin Murphy skillfully guided Sunway throughout the demanding mile contest, ultimately overtaking Aidan O’Brien’s Navy Seal. Despite a strong challenge from Alcantor ridden by Mickael Barzalona, Murphy had an ace up his sleeve and confidently steered the 43-10 chance towards victory along the favored stands side.

“Everything went according to plan,” Menuisier commented regarding Sunway’s brilliant performance. “We wanted him to be up there in second or third position. When Oisin asked him to go, he really kicked on.”

Sunway showcased promise with a winning debut at Sandown and demonstrated resilience after an underwhelming performance at Ascot where he finished behind Iberian and Rosallion—subsequent Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner—in the Champagne Stakes.

The triumph not only marked another Group One win for Menuisier but also brought joy to breeder Guy Pariente, who generously supported their efforts.

Looking Forward

With these unexpected victories by Los Angeles and Sunway, both trainers now have reasons to dream of future success. The potential displayed by these young colts suggests promising careers lay ahead for them.

Aidan O’Brien sees great potential in Los Angeles as a big horse who is expected to improve even more next year. He believes that Soumillon’s assessment of Los Angeles being capable of becoming a Classic horse opens doors for thrilling opportunities down the line—especially considering his ability to handle longer distances like a mile and a half.

For David Menuisier, this latest Group One success renews hope for what lies ahead with Sunway. Having already tasted victory at prestigious racecourses like ParisLongchamp and Ascot, Menuisier is eager to see what the future holds for his talented colt.

As these Irish raiders continue to defy expectations and make their mark in the racing world, fans can anticipate an exciting season ahead filled with thrilling races and unexpected outcomes.