Talismanic Not Just a Pretty Face

While champion Arrogate  may have been the most photographed horse at Del Mar last month in the build up to his attempt at a Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) defense, there can be little doubt that he was run a close second by eventual Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) hero Talismanic.

A double-figure price for the Turf, Godolphin's 4-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro  came into his North American debut under the radar despite having not finished worse than third in his six prior starts in 2017.  With his striking white face and four matching socks, however, the world's turf photographers soon caught on to what their French confreres had long known: Talismanic is one stunning racehorse.

What had previously been a low level of fandom among a small number of devotees is now threatening to break out into full-blown cult status, with plenty of itchy Twitter trigger-fingers anxiously awaiting his appearance for trackwork this past week for #TalismanicTuesday.

Trainer Andre Fabre himself was early to point out what a popular horse he was in the yard, not only for his markings but his sympathetic nature.

Ahead of the 2016 Prix du Jockey Club (G1), in which he ran fourth behind European champion Almanzor, Fabre told the Racing Post:

"He has a fantastic personality and everyone loves him, so it would have been hard for (jockey) Mickael (Barzalona) to desert him."

Fast forward 18 months and Talismanic will be making only a second racecourse venture without Barzalona, with Maxime Guyon taking over for the suspended rider in the Dec. 10 Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1).

A mile and a half has long looked his ideal trip and Fabre has been planning overseas adventures for some time, despite having dabbled with going up further in trip for the 2,800 meters Prix Maurice de Nieuil (G2) back in July.

What that Saint-Cloud success demonstrated above all else was that fast ground could prove an asset, if and when Sheikh Mohammed and his trainer decided to send Talismanic on his travels.

The gamble of attempting the Breeders' Cup Turf around the tight turns of Del Mar paid off spectacularly, with Barzalona utilising his rail draw, cutting every corner and powering clear of Beach Patrol and Highland Reel to announce a true international breakthrough.

Talismanic was now more than just a pretty face.

"He has taken the racing and travelling really well," said Fabre after arriving in Hong Kong on Dec. 8. "He was looking good and happy when he came back from Del Mar and although I haven't seen him here yet - I will see him tomorrow - the people looking after him are delighted with him. He is a relaxed quiet horse who takes things very well."

Plenty of connections were playing down the importance of an inside berth in the Vase after the draw but Fabre was unable to conceal his pleasure at the number one stall picked out by Godolphin representative, Lisa-Jane Graffard.

And with 2015 Hong Kong Vase winner Highland Reel well capable of winding up the pace from the front, Fabre hopes that Guyon doesn't allow Ryan Moore to get too far out of sight up front.

"I think stall one is an advantage again because when you are drawn wide the bends come quickly and catch you out,"  Fabre said.  "I am very happy with the draw.

"It looks, on form, that Talismanic and Highland Reel are the horses to beat. It could be a tactical race between the two and I hope we are not too far from wherever he is."

The team travelling with Talismanic have kept to a very similar regime as in California, which means the work-watchers and photographers haven't seen much of the undoubted power concealed underneath the colt's distinctive skin tones as he has ambled around the Sha Tin all-weather.

Which leaves his looks and his cheeky character, tongue out and as laid back as a they come. Vincent Champion rides Talismanic every day and the former show jumper knows him better than anyone.

"I've ridden him ever since he arrived in the yard as a yearling," says Champion. "In the past I have also done Manatee and they are both great characters. Talismanic is very easy to be around, with an exceptional temperament, very kind and calm. That said he is a male but he is very easy to become attached to."

Champion knew from early on that Talismanic possessed plenty of raw ability. But that in itself doesn't automatically lead to Breeders' Cups and meetings of the stature of the Hong Kong International Races. What doesn't surprise him is the way Talismanic's popularity has soared.

"He is recognized by everyone and stands out from the string wherever he goes in Chantilly," says Champion. "He often goes out at the head of the string and is a bit like the mascot.

"From his very first race it was obvious he was a good horse. His real strength is that he is so calm. When you ride him you can drop your hands and he won't pull at all. But winning the Breeders' Cup was unbelievable. I never expected to be associated with a horse like that and win races like that."

Talismanic goes into Sunday's race no longer as just a poster boy but as a legitimate threat in the world's top mile and a half races.