Ribchester Game in Marois Win

Following a pair of thirds at the group I level this year, Ribchester broke through at the top level Aug. 14 with a game win in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois (Fr-I) over the straight mile at Deauville.

The 3-year-old by Darley sire Iffraaj colt settled in midfield with William Buick, then was angled out with a quarter mile to run. When Vadamos grabbed command 300 meters out, Ribchester went with him, making a powerful, sustained rally and snatched the lead with 120 yards remaining to prevail by a half length.

Ervedya closed to take third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Vadamos, while last year's winner, Esoterique, had no rally and finished sixth.

Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) winner Galileo Gold led briefly before being overtaken by Vadamos and Ribchester and faded through the final furlong, finishing eighth under Frankie Dettori.

Ribchester completed the trip in 1:36.16 on turf rated as good.

Ribchester was a good-closing third in the Qatar Sussex Stakes (Eng-I) last month at Goodwood, beaten a neck and a short head. He also posted a third behind Galileo Gold in the Two Thousand Guineas April 30 at Newmarket .

"He is a horse with an awful lot of speed, very talented, and keeps improving with racing," trainer Richard Fahey said. "I felt he was a better horse today than he was in the Sussex Stakes.

"Every run, he has improved—he has plenty of speed and class. He is getting stronger and better. He had to dig deep today and came out with flying colors."

Fahey said the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-I) going a mile at Ascot Oct. 15 could be next for Ribchester, who would get a break beforehand. With his Jacques Le Marois victory, Ribchester earned a fees-paid, automatic berth into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) Nov. 5 at Santa Anita Park.

Ribchester was private acquisition by Godolphin from David Armstrong following his victory for Fahey in the Mill Reef Stakes (Eng-I) last September at Newbury.

With Sunday's win, his record improves to 3-2-2 from eight starts. A Jersey Stakes (Eng-II) triumph at Royal Ascot was sandwiched between his thirds in the Guineas and Sussex.

Ribchester was bred in Ireland by Audrey Thompson and M. O'Brien from the Marju mare Mujarah, a half sister to group III winner Tactic, stakes winner Yaazy, who is group III-placed, and to stakes-placed Zahoo, dam of group III winner Convergence.