It was a great night last night when on the 4th time of asking since moving to the USA Champagne Charley under a star ride from the track leading jockey got through to win a shade cosy in the 1 mile $60k Allowance Race.
Out of one of my own mares Age Of Refinement this Gelding won first time out for me in France last year in what turns out to have been a very hot maiden.
He switched yards and countries from Nicolas Clement to Simon Callaghan and the majority shareholding to Eclipse Thoroughbreds under the management of Aron Wellman.
It was a bit of a wait for his first start ridden by Frankie the day before the Breeders Cup who commented that he was still a big baby and needed it. Next time he swooped home late and was unlucky not to have won. Odds on fav next time out he ran a little flat though only beaten 2 1/2l to 6th to subsequently scope dirty.
Fit and well last night was for him to take the glory and show what he did at Chantilly. In a steady enough run race jockey Flavien Prat picked his moment and threaded the needle to win by a length.
It great news for the mare who is carrying a Wootton Bassett foal has a Style Vendome Yearling Filly and a colt in training called William with Mr Rohaut who I am told has a good record with his two year olds!
Onto bigger things for Champagne Charley I hope as it decision making time as to who the mare is to go to!!
