Qatar Niel : Sottsass wins a thriller of a race

Sottsass (Siyouni) left a big impression on the Sunday card at ParisLongchamp in the Qatar Prix Niel (Gr2). Completely boxed-in when things started to take a serious turn, the colt who races the colours of White Birch Farm of Peter Brant fame, stamped his authority in 100m once in the clear. He captured the Qatar Prix Niel in excellent style as he reaffirmed his status as France’s number one hope in the forthcoming Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The colt, trained at Deauville by Jean-Claude Rouget, established himself as the leading French three-year-old in the wake of his QIPCO Prix du Jockey-Club win in June. He hadn’t raced since.

Mutamakina (Nathaniel), the only filly in the race, was a length and a quarter adrift in second. She holds entries in the Prix de l’Opéra Longines and the Qatar Prix de Royallieu. Mohawk (Galileo), the Irish challenger, was third.

Peter Brant, Sottsass's owner, also owns his sister Sistercharlie (Myboycharlie), a Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1) second who won three Gr1s in the USA for White Birch.

Sottsass was purchased € 340,000 at the Arqana Deauville sales. He was consigned by his breeder, Écurie des Monceaux.