Pinatubo back to his best in Prix Jean Prat on super Sunday for Shamardal
Pinatubo (Shamardal) showed a return to the level of form which made him the highest-rated juvenile in Europe for a quarter of a century when he belatedly got his three-year-old campaign up and running with a win in yesterday’s Prix Jean Prat (Gr 1, 1400m) at Deauville.
Despite suffering defeat in both the 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) and St James’s Palace Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) this term, the Charlie Appleby-trained colt was still sent off a red-hot favourite, and he duly obliged as he crossed the line under William Buick three-quarters of a length ahead of his nearest pursuer, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Lope Y Fernandez (Lope De Vega). Malotru (Casamento), like the winner trained in Newmarket, completed a clean sweep for the raiders, another two and a half lengths away in third.
“This is what we saw from Pinatubo as a two-year-old,” said a delighted Charlie Appleby, who went on to complete a treble on the Deauville card courtesy of wins with Royal Crusade (Shamardal) and Althiqa (Dark Angel).
“He travels and then has that electric turn of foot. William said that he was sat last at half-way with not a lot of room but, before he knew it, he was up there on the bridle again and travelling as well as he wanted to be in a race of this calibre.
“I am delighted for the horse and delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, who has had a lot of faith in Pinatubo. Well done to the whole team because, when you get turned over in the first couple of races after being favourite for the Guineas over the winter, it is hard to take.
“We have always felt that Pinatubo is a very courageous horse. Take nothing away from the winners on his last two starts over a mile, they have outstayed us on the day, but we were always confident coming back to seven furlongs today that it would have to be a good horse to beat him. Most importantly, I am pleased for Pinatubo.”
Whether Pinatubo does now step back up in distance remains to be seen. “Going back to a mile is something that we need to talk about,” Appleby continued. “He does travel extremely well and has that acceleration. He is going to be one of those milers that you are going to have to ride with so much confidence and just hope that you get there.
“We will enjoy today. He is a multiple Group 1 winner at two and now a Group 1 winner at three, so I am delighted for everybody involved. His sire Shamardal had a fantastic year last year with his juveniles and this year with his three-year-olds, so it’s great for the team and well-deserved for this horse. He can have a little rest now and we can decide where we go next.”
Shamardal completed a Group race treble on the Deauville when Royal Crusade recorded a comfortable victory in the Prix de Ris-Orangis (Gr 3, 1200m) after France’s Champion two-year-old Earthlight made a successful seasonal debut when easily taking the Prix Kistena (Listed, 1200m).
Buick, who has been on board the colt for all of his five Group 1 starts, said: “Charlie and Sheikh Mohammed always said that Pinatubo was one of the best horses they had ever seen and he is very fast, as he showed there. He ran very well over a mile in the 2,000 Guineas and very well in the St James’s Palace Stakes but he is very fast.
“When you ride him, he gives you a lot of confidence. He travels very well and is a very straightforward horse to ride. He has a very good mind and I don’t think I have ever ridden a horse with a turn of foot like he has.”
Homebred Pinatubo is out of the stakes-winning Dalakhani (Darshaan) mare Lava Flow, who also has a 2019 filly foal by Teofilo (Galileo) and colt foal by Shamardal. Lava Flow hails from the top stallion producing family of Invincible Spirit (Green Desert) and Kodiac (Danehill).