Monday 19 July 2010
BEHKABAD won with style in Longchamp’s feature Grand Prix de Paris on Bastille day and was immediately touted as a leading Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe contender. The son of Cape Cross had earlier left the impression that the distance of a mile and half would suit him perfectly when an unlucky-in-running fourth in the Gr 1 Prix du Jockey-Club as Chantilly. He proved this in no uncertain terms with an impressive victory in the Grand Prix de Paris which is now considered as the real French Derby over the classic trip.
BEHKABAD was ridden close to the pace by Gerald Mossé who replaced injured stable jockey Christophe Lemaire. He accelerated progressively from the entrance to the final straight and then produced a second burst of speed when challenged approaching the final furlong by Planteur. The first and second drew five lengths clear of third-placed Jan Vermeer while Dalakhani’s son Goldwaki was just a nose further back in fourth position.
BEHKABAD provided his trainer Jean-Claude Rouget with a first Group 1 success for HH the Aga Khan and the delighted handler remarked, “I’m very pleased, this is an important moment.” Rouget has managed Bekhabad’s career perfectly and the colt was unbeaten last season as a two years old when his three wins included the Gr 3 Prix des Chênes at Longchamp in September. He was rested for the autumn before returning to take third place on heavy ground in the Listed Prix Omnium II at Saint Cloud in April and then picked up the Gr 3 Prix de Guiche prior to the Jockey-Club. BEHKABAD’s next race is likely to be the Gr 2 Prix Niel in preparation for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on 3 October.
BEHKABAD is out of Gr 2 Prix Hubert de Chaudenay winner and Gr 1 Prix Royal-Oak runner-up Behkara and his grand-dam Behera won the Gr 1 Prix Saint-Alary and finished second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1989. His third dam Borushka is also a black-type winner, having lifted the Gr 2 Park Hill Stakes.
Updated on 19/07/2010
