Paco Boy came from well off the pace roll past Duff and Natagora to capture the Total Prix de la Foret (Fr-I) by three lengths at Longchamp Oct. 4.
Always a competitive in top flight company, Paco Boy finally broke through to capture the first group I of his career. The 3-year-old son of Desert Style now boasts seven wins from ten career starts. Paco Boy entered the Prix de la Foret off of a good third to Goldikova in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-I) Sept. 7.
Christophe Soumillon kept Paco Boy at the back of the pack as Duff led the field of eight through the early stages of the seven-furlong contest. With two furlongs left to go, Duff surrendered his lead to Natagora, who looked as though she would go on to an easy win.
Paco Boy was flying on the outside, however, and stormed by Natagora to win easily by three lengths. Natagora held on well for second, 2 1/2-lengths in front of US Ranger.
Final time for the seven furlongs was 1:19.80 over a good turf course.
Paco Boy, who is out of the Sandhurst Prince mare, Tappen Zee, is trained by Richard Hannon for the Calvera Partnership.
Bannaby Surprises in Prix du Cadran
Longshot Bannaby just held off Incanto Dream in the final strides to win the Qatar Prix du Cadran (Fr-I) by a head.
Veteran campaigner Yeats was heavily favored to capture the 2 1/2-mile marathon, but could do no better than fifth, beaten just over five lengths.
Bannaby, a 5-year-old horse by Dyhim Diamond, is conditioned by Mauricio Delcher Sanchez, who also trains King’s Stand Stakes (Eng-I) winner Equiano. Sanchez indicated that Bannaby would be pointed to the Ascot Gold Cup (Eng-I) next year.