Trueshaan gave Alan King a second Group I victory of this Flat season when landing the Prix du Cadran in Lomngchamp's star-studded weekend of racing yesterday. In so doing, he emphatically beat the leading stayer across Europe - Stradivarius - and put himself in pole position for the title of champion stayer in Europe.
The race itself was clear-cut. A 4 1/2l winning margin was asserted soon in the straight on the softer ground that Trueshaan appreciates, and he must surely conclude his European campaign for 2021 trying to repeat last October's Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup in a fortnight at Ascot.
Increasingly, the King operation at Barbury is slanted toward the flat, and whilst his domestic tally to date is only 24 winners, the earnings, even allowing for Trueshaan's exploits, are noticeable. This year's Flat tunners have already surpassed the total of last season's 54 Jumps winners, and the simple truth is that ownership of the horses in the top flight of the Jumps game has narrowed considerably in recent years, making it very challenging to source and keep Grade I jumps bloodstock.
Expect to see Alan growing his presence around the top Flat events, especially with older horses. Unlike over the sticks, there are more valuable opportunities in the Flat calendar, both in this country and on the Continent, not all of which have a presence from the leading owner-breeders.
It seems that just as in so many other sports, owner entrants to the sport under both codes are prepared to spend untold millions pursuing success at the very highest level.
Trueshaan gave Alan King a second Group I victory of this Flat season when landing the Prix du Cadran in Lomngchamp's star-studded weekend of racing yesterday. In so doing, he emphatically beat the leading stayer across Europe - Stradivarius - and put himself in pole position for the title of champion stayer in Europe.
The race itself was clear-cut. A 4 1/2l winning margin was asserted soon in the straight on the softer ground that Trueshaan appreciates, and he must surely conclude his European campaign for 2021 trying to repeat last October's Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup in a fortnight at Ascot.
Increasingly, the King operation at Barbury is slanted toward the flat, and whilst his domestic tally to date is only 24 winners, the earnings, even allowing for Trueshaan's exploits, are noticeable. This year's Flat tunners have already surpassed the total of last season's 54 Jumps winners, and the simple truth is that ownership of the horses in the top flight of the Jumps game has narrowed considerably in recent years, making it very challenging to source and keep Grade I jumps bloodstock.
Expect to see Alan growing his presence around the top Flat events, especially with older horses. Unlike over the sticks, there are more valuable opportunities in the Flat calendar, both in this country and on the Continent, not all of which have a presence from the leading owner-breeders.
It seems that just as in so many other sports, owner entrants to the sport under both codes are prepared to spend untold millions pursuing success at the very highest level.
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