Jockey Julien Guillochon and Gold Player on their way to win the race. Pic: Fabienne Morin
Doha: Carrying the colours of H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, the two-year-old colt Gold Player (Charm Spirit x Qatar Hope) got off the mark by winning the Prix du Château des Ducs de Bretagne in Nantes.
Trained by Henri-Alex Pantall and ridden by Julien Guillochon, Gold Player on Saturday was having his first start in a handicap, following a couple of placed efforts and the colt looked to benefit from a drop back to 1,400m.
Settled in mid-division of the seven runner field, Gold Player travelled well through the early stages of the 1400m contest. A decent pace was set by course specialist Speedy Charm (Charm Spirit), who had the field hard at work on the turn for home.
Coming three-wide into the straight, Gold Player made a sweeping move to the lead inside the final 200m. Holding off a persistent challenge from the rallying Speedy Charm, Gold Player went on to score by just over a length at the line. My Black Lady (Reliable Man) stayed on well for third.
Bred in partnership by O. Carli and Haras de Victot, Gold Player is by Haras du Logis St. Germain based stallion Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit). His dam Qatar Hope (French Fifteen) won two of her five career starts and also sported the silks of H E Sheikh Abdullah.
