His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s homebred Aspetar was an impressive winner of the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes yesterday.
Second to Magny Cours on his reappearance, the five-year-old gelding was never in danger this time. He won the 2,100m race for three-year-olds and older horses by one-and-a-half lengths under Jason Watson for trainer Roger Charlton.
Fox Chairman was the runner up under Silvestre De Sousa. He is trained by Andrew Balding. Lord Glitters was a further half length behind in third. He is trained by David O’Meara and was ridden by Daniel Tudhope. 
“He’s been very progressive. We’ve always liked him, and this year he’s been a lot more relaxed at home. We’ve taken our time with him,” Watson said. “He ran a nice race back at Sandown a couple of weeks ago and we’ve come here quite confident. Although he’s not always the most straightforward, he’s matured plenty and he put the race to bed very well today.
“He’s quite versatile with trip. A mile, a mile and a quarter, a mile and a half! He’s a small horse, but well-built with a good turn of foot. That’s what some of these stayers lack, which plays into our hands. I didn’t have to do a lot today - nice and smooth through the gears and he’s done it well. It was a competitive race today and I didn’t think we’d win like we did. He’s improved massively and keeps on improving, so we’ll just see how he comes out of this, but he was impressive today.”


Ali al-Attiyah’s My Belle Du Soleil opens account at La Teste

The three-year-old filly My Belle Du Soleil, a General half-sister to the champion Amyr Du Soleil, made a perfect debut winning the Prix Mangalie d’Albret (Maiden) at La Teste yesterday.
It was the first time out for the filly owned by Ali bin Hamad al-Attiyah. Trained by Thomas Fourcy, My Belle Du Soleil sat in the middle of the field. Vincent Cheminaud chose to progress in the open stretch and My Belle Du Soleil answered very professionally.
She took the lead at the 300m mark and was never really in danger, despite the good effort of Alawjs, and won by one and a half lengths.
Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Alawsj, on her debut as well, was the runner-up. Ridden by Jerome Cabre, she secured a one-two for her trainer Thomas Fourcy. Haya Du Prelat was a further length behind in third under Guillaume Trolley De Prevaux. She is trained by T. De Lauriere.
Fourcy said My Belle Du Soleil could be aimed for the Breeders’ Cup in September and then the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches (Group 1 PA) in October during the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend.