Legatissimo could face strong French challenge in Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes

QIPCO 1000 Guineas winner Legatissimo may bid for her third 2015 QIPCO British Champions Series success in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

French raider Bawina has been revealed as an intended runner in the Group 1 £250,000 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes, the penultimate race in the Mile Division of the QIPCO British Champions Series, at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse on Saturday October 3rd.

This straight mile contest has been won by overseas raiders five times in the last seven years – including four straight French triumphs between 2009 and 2012.

And Chantilly-based handler Carlos Laffon-Parias is the solitary handler with more than one possible candidate as he left both Bawina and Impassable in the race at a recent scratching stage which saw 18 horses remain engaged. 

Bawina is edging ever closer to a career first Group 1 success, having followed her fourth place in the QIPCO Falmouth Stakes with a third in the Prix Rothschild and, last time out, a second when stepping up to a mile and a quarter in the Prix Jean Romanet. Impassable has not raced since landing the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham in May.

Irish-trained Legatissimo is the most prolific of six previous individual Group 1 winners among the remaining entrants. She has already scored three times at the top level and enjoyed her finest hour over this same course and distance when landing the QIPCO 1000 Guineas back in May.

The 2014 QIPCO 1000 Guineas winner, Miss France, is also still engaged alongside the mare that beat her into second place in this race 12 months ago, Integral. Other notable entries are Amazing Maria, winner of the QIPCO Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket’s Adnams July Course in the summer, and last season’s dual French Classic heroine, Avenir Certain.

Carlos Laffon-Parias said: 

“The plan is for Bawina to go for the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes and Impassable to run in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein at Longchamp on the same day.”

“We are very much hoping to get a Group 1 victory into Bawina before the end of the season and after Newmarket she could have one more start in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.”

“She was a bit unlucky in the QIPCO Falmouth Stakes and then last time she found a mile and a quarter a bit too far. She was only beaten a neck but she didn’t really stay – it was her class that got her through.”

“She is a strong filly and although it has been a long year for her she does not seem to be tired. I think that a straight mile is ideal for her and I would love to win my first Rowley Mile race with her – along with Ascot it is the best place to win a Group 1.”