2 October 2021
Photo scoopdyga.com
Beaten just over a half an hour earlier on Stradivarius in the Qatar Prix du Cadran, jockey Lanfranco Dettori got some consolation when partnering Loving Dream to success in the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Group 1). Even at 50 years of age, Dettori needed to be at his excellent best and lifted the 3-y-o filly to a narrow success from Believe In Love. Loving Dream is trained in Newmarket by John and Thady Gosden.
Trained in Chantilly by Alain de Royer Dupré, Valia finished third and was ridden by Christophe Soumillon.
On her most recent start, Loving Dream finished fifth in the Yorkshire Oaks, a race won by Snowfall, who lines up in Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
REACTION FROM CONNECTIONS
Thady Gosden (Trainer of Loving Dream, 1st)
“When Roger’s (Varian) filly came with her challenge, of course we were a bit worried. But she is very tough and has lots of talent. And when Frankie is on form…he’s tough to beat! Especially when he is in front! She has managed the distance well and the ground was fine, but she also goes well on good ground. We will have a good think now with her owner/breeder, but Ascot could be next for her.”
Roger Varian (trainer of Believe in Love, 2nd)
“I am a mix between happy, but also disappointed to be beaten by such a small margin. She gave her all and ran an excellent race, especially when you think that she was one of the lesser fancied and gave the winner three kilos. She had a nice run through the race and likes that ground, so there are no excuses. We will see how she comes out of the race before deciding what comes next, but the Prix Royal Oak (Group 1) is an option.”
Alain de Royer Dupré (trainer of Valia, 3rd)
“Valia finished a good third, she took advantage of the way the race was ran and we are delighted with that. With the three-year-old’s in the race, the weight difference is huge. Normally, Valia will be heading to stud at the end of the season, but before that there is the option of the Prix Royal-Oak (Group 1) on October 24th.”