Seven-furlong Group One will be the target.
Rashabar, the Royal Ascot hero, is set to make a move up to seven furlongs in his next start, as his connections gear up for a potential tilt at the prestigious 2000 Guineas in May. The colt, trained by Brian Meehan and owned by Manton Thoroughbreds, stunned the racing world with an 80-1 victory in the Coventry Stakes at Ascot.
Recently, Rashabar came agonizingly close to securing a victory in the Prix Morny at Deauville, narrowly missing out to Aidan O'Brien's Whistlejacket. Despite the loss, his strong finish has convinced his team, led by jockey Sean Levey, that the colt is ready to tackle longer distances and continue competing at the highest level.
Whistlejacket is @BreedersCup bound!
Aidan O'Brien's July Stakes hero grabs the stands-side rail and delivers under Ryan Moore in the G1 Prix Morny… #WinAndYoureIN pic.twitter.com/3j1POZuCbs
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 18, 2024
Sam Sangster, the manager for Manton Thoroughbreds, confirmed that Rashabar would remain in Group One company, with elite races in Ireland and France under consideration. "Sean was gutted after the Morny and felt Rashabar was the moral winner. There's no hiding places in Group Ones, but he's more than earned his place," Sangster remarked.
Sangster also highlighted that Rashabar returned from Deauville in top condition, demonstrating his resilience and readiness for the challenges ahead. Among the potential targets for Rashabar are the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on September 15 and the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp during Arc weekend.
After a meeting with trainer Brian Meehan, the team decided that the step up to seven furlongs would suit Rashabar perfectly. "He did the quickest sectionals in the final two furlongs of the Prix Morny, and we believe the extra distance will play to his strengths," Sangster explained.
While a trip to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf remains on the radar, the focus will likely shift towards preserving Rashabar's potential for next season’s Classics, particularly the 2000 Guineas. Sangster emphasized that Rashabar is not just a two-year-old prospect but a horse expected to keep improving.
"Whatever happens in his next run, we hope to see him as a strong contender for the Guineas. If he continues to impress, the Guineas will be our priority," Sangster concluded. With a promising future ahead, Rashabar's journey through the ranks of elite racing is one to watch closely.
