by Desmond Stoneham

Youmzain took revenge on Soldier of Fortune in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Fr-G1) on June 29, dominating the final furlong under Richard Hughes. The winning margin was three-quarters of a length, which equaled Soldier of Fortune’s margin over Youmzain in the Juddmonte Coronation Cup (Eng-G1) at Epsom on June 6.

Much traveled Doctor Dino (Fr) made up ground late to finish three lengths farther back in third. Completing the order of finish at Saint Cloud racecourse were Zambezi Sun, Getaway, Lucarno, Not Just Swing, Sommertag, and Song of Hiawatha.

Owned by Jaber Abdullah, Youmzain had gone nearly two years without a victory. He last visited the winner’s enclosure on September 24, 2006, after scoring in the IVG Preis von Europa (Ger-G1) at Koln. Nonetheless, he had run with distinction in 2007, when he was runner-up to Dylan Thomas (Ire) in both the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Eng-G1) and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere (Fr-G1).

Youmzain had been fifth in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud a year ago, but it was a slowly run race unlike this year’s event, which featured a strong early gallop with the presence of two pacesetters. The final time for 2,400 meters (11.93 furlongs) was 2:28.20, the race’s fourth-fastest time, on turf rated as good.

“A good pace is so important for Youmzain,” trainer Mick Channon said. “The horse is in super form at the moment, and it was only after an excellent gallop earlier in the week that we decided to take in this race. His next target is the King George at Ascot [on July 26] and then another tilt at the Arc [at Longchamp on October 5].”

“Today he had the pace that he needs, and I went into the lead a little too early because the horse was going so well,” Hughes said. “He really is in great shape at the moment and has always had loads of ability.”

The son of Sinndar was the fourth English-trained horse to win the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in the last five years. Jockey Christophe Soumillon offered no excuses for Soldier of Fortune, who had been given every chance.

“I could see Youmzain going so easily next to me halfway up the straight, so I quickened to take the lead, but there was nothing I could do apart from watching when he quickened into the lead. We were beaten by a better horse [today].”

Winner of the Grand Prix de Chantilly (Fr-G2) over Zambezi Sun in his previous start, Doctor Dino made late progress and finished 11⁄2 lengths clear of that same foe, owned by Khalid Abdullah. Getaway was fifth behind Soldier of Fortune and Youmzain in the Coronation Cup and again took the same place.

Baron Georg von Ullman’s racing manager, Paul Harley, commented: “The ground was a little on the fast side for [Getaway] and he lost his [left front] shoe. We will now try and get him back to his best for the autumn and another run in the Arc de Triomphe.”

Desmond Stoneham is a France-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent