Cirrus des Aigles comfortably held back Flintshire and tallied a third consecutivegroup I win in the Investec Coronation Cup (In Commemoration of St Nicholas Abbey) June 7 at Epsom Downs, but he was pulled up a bit lame.
Jockey Christophe Soumillon immediately dismounted when Cirrus des Aigles crossed the finish line. The 8-year-old Even Top gelding, currently Europe's top-rated runner, was able to walk to the winner's enclosure, however.
Soumillon told Racing Post he felt something was not right with Cirrus des Aigles.
"He changed legs, something he never does, and I felt when I passed the post he was not really right," Soumillon said. "He's an amazing horse and I hope it is not too bad. Looking at the horse he is not walking well and I am sad for the horse."
Trainer Corrine Barande-Barbe, however, was quick to say that she did not believe her runner was seriously injured.
"He was a bit lame just after the post but I don't think anything serious has happened and he is walking now."
Epsom veterinarians are keeping a close on Cirrus des Aigles.
"Cirrus Des Aigles continues to be monitored by racecourse veterinary surgeons at Epsom," said Andrew Cooper, head of racing and clerk of the course.
"He is displaying signs of some soreness on his off fore but remains scheduled to travel home to France early on Sunday morning. He will continue to be monitored all the time he remains at Epsom."
Soumillon patiently waited behind pacesetter Ambivalent, tracking from fourth before urging Cirrus des Aigles past her in the straight, where he kicked on for an authoritative two-length victory. It was his sixth in a group I race.
Flintshire rallied from off the pace for second, powering past Ambivalent, who held for third in the eight-horse field, 2 1/4 lengths back.
Cirrus des Aigles was timed in 2:34.86 for 1 1/2 miles on good turf. He has a 21-20-6 record from 58 career starts and entered off back-to-back victories over Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) winner Treve in the Prix Ganay (Fr-I) April 27 and 2014 JLT Lockinge Stakes (Eng-I) victor Olympic Glory in the Prix d'Ispahan (Fr-I) May 25, both at Longchamp. His 2014 campaign began with a good second to Gentildonna in the Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-I) March 20 at Meydan.
His record also includes group I wins in the 2012 Prix Ganay and Dubai Sheema Classic and 2011 QIPCO Champions Stakes at Ascot.
The Coronation Cup was run in tribute to Coolmore and partners' European champion St Nicholas Abbey, a record three-time winner of the race. Fracturing a pastern after last year's edition of the race while preparing for a bid in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Eng-I), the son of Montjeu died in January from complications of colic.
Cirrus des Aigles was bred in France by Yvon Lelimouzin and Benoit Deschamps out of the Septieme Ciel mare Taille de Guepe. He is owned by Jean Claude-Alain Dupouy.
