Erupt Stamps Arc Credentials at Longchamp
Description:
Darley's megastar stallion Dubawi (IRE) gained his eighth group I winner of the year when unbeaten Erupt captured the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Fr.-I) for 3-year-olds, Bastille Day, July 14, at Longchamp.
The Niarchos family's homebred colt won by a commanding two lengths, stamping himself a contender for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I), Europe's premier middle-distance contest, this fall. After racing in third early, he ignited his rally at the top of the lane for Stephane Pasquier. He overtook front-runner Archangel Raphael more than a furlong out, and then stayed on strongly.
Prix Hocquart (gr. II) victor and 11-10 favorite Ampere finished second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Kentucky-bred Storm the Stars, the 5-2 second-favorite who was third after placing in both the Epsom and Irish Derbys. The latter could be headed for a break, then be pointed to the St. Leger (Eng-I) Sept. 12 at Doncasater
Irish-bred Erupt was timed in 2:31.07 for 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) on good turf to win and 7-1 odds and stay perfect in four career starts for trainer Francis-Henri. Tuesday's triumph marked his third in a stakes following the Prix du Lys (Fr-III) June 14 at Chantilly and the listed Coupe de Trois Ans May 7 at Lyon-Parilly.
Erupt's dam is Caerleon's French group III winner Mare Nostrum, a half sister to 1994 Yellow Ribbon Invitational (gr. I) winner Aube Indienne. Erupt is a half brother to Marie de Medici, a stakes winner at Newmarket who was group III-placed in France.
Dubawi, a son of Dubai Millennium who stand for Darley at Dalham Hall Stud, has 20 individual group I winners.