Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein: No half measures for Ostilio

Ostilio (New Approach) was the impressive winner of the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Gr2). Owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, he quickly took control of the race, at a decent pace. The field was stretched out, but Ostilio, who has come up through the big English handicaps, never wavered. He won his first Group race by a length and a quarter in front of Oh This is Us (Acclamation), who finished well up the centre of the track. Hey Gaman (New Approach), who had travelled up with the eventual winner, held third place. 

How they ran

• 1st – Ostilio: Jumped well, then went past part of the field to settle on the lead and lead the race at a good pace. Never let down in the straight, and picked up again along with Hey Gaman on the rail. After battling with the latter, took the advantage in the final meters to win.
• 2nd – Oh This Is Us: Travlled in fourth position before beginning his pursuit of Ostilio and Hey Gaman din the final 200m. Assured his second place at the end.
• 3rd – Hey Gaman : Travelled in second position before sitting in behind Ostilio who led the race. Accelerated alongside this latter turning into the straight, but couldn’t withstand his final push, and conceded second place to Oh This Is Us.
• 4th – Plumatic : Held up in fifth positon, took time to find his action,  cold in running, finished well for fourth place.
• 5th – Graphite : Travelled near the pace, showed a good face in the straight to finish fifth.
• 6th– Hunaina : Travelled in second half of the field, tried to make up ground half way down the straight, before weakening.
• 7th – Robin of Navan : Set off in his own rhythm, travelling at the rear. Never made up ground in the straight.
• 8th – Rock My Love : Travelled in second half of the field, tried to come with a run at the beginning of the straight before admitting defeat.
• 9th – Glorious Journey : Sat in last position, made a brief effort turning into the straight, before downing arms.

Quotes

Edward Crisford (son and assistant to Simon Crisford, trainer of Ostilio, 1st)

"It’s fantastic! He was stepping up in class today. He won the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot in England. You need a Group class horse for that type of handicap, but he was still making a step up today. He likes to go in front as he did today. He almost looked like he had done too much, which was worrying, but that’s how he is. Andrea Atzeni rode him perfectly. We thought that he would like ParisLongchamp, the profile of this track is perfect for him. He has improved all year, and in 2019, he will step up to Group 1 level."

James Tate (trainer of Hey Gaman, 3rd)

"He ran very well, and showed he likes this track at ParisLongchamp. He would have preferred more cut in the ground, and so he definitely would have preferred two come up a different part of the track. But it was still a good performance. For now, he will have a break. And next year, he will be back here as often as possible!”

The records

Year                     Winner                     Trainer                            Owner                                                          Jockey                      Time

2018                    Ostilio                      S. Crisford                       Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum     A. Atzeni                  1’38’’94

2017                    Taareef                     J.-C. Rouget                    Hamdan Al Maktoum                                 C. Soumillon            1’40’’19

2016                    Taareef                     J.-C. Rouget                    Hamdan Al Maktoum                                 I. Mendizabal           1’43’’19

2015                    Impassable               C. Laffon-Parias              Wertheimer & Frère                                    O. Peslier                 1’37’’65

2014                    Solow                       F. Head                            Wertheimer & Frère                                    O. Peslier                 1’36’’59