Baker hoping the late Sebastien Le Forban can give Graignes a 'push from above'

Trainer George Baker has said a major win for new recruit Graignes would be "bittersweet", with the Saudi Cup meeting runner having been purchased by the hugely popular bloodstock agent Sebastien Le Forban, who died in January aged just 35.

Explaining how Graignes came into his yard, Baker said: "He was bought by our bloodstock agent in France, Sebastien Le Forban, as a yearling and he'd followed his career ever since.

"We had an owner who wanted a proper horse so Sebastien earmarked him as the perfect fit. We bought him in Paris at the sale the night before the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and he was an exciting buy."

Graignes is a fine advertisement for the talent that Le Forban possessed, as he pinhooked the son of Zoffany for €40,000 at the Arqana October Sale before he went on to show high-class form for trainer Yann Barberot and owner Gerard Augustin-Normand, who gave €90,000 for the colt at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale.

Graignes (purple cap): set to make his debut for George Baker in the STC 1351 CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Among his best efforts are a third-place finish in the Group 1 Criterium International won by Royal Meeting, and a fourth behind Persian King in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Le Forban signed for Graignes for a second time at last year's Arqana Arc Sale, where he went to €600,000 on behalf of owner Karen Lewis.

Baker continued: "Sadly Sebastien died in Florida last month and he had been pivotal to our success in France so this horse is very much carrying his mark, and he will be doing his hardest to give us a push from above. It would be a bittersweet win for us, but also a force of nature."

Lewis, who races horses under the FTP Equine Holdings banner, also owns the former Baker flagbearer Belgian Bill, with the globetrotting star now standing at Haras du Taillis in France.

Graignes, who is due to contest the STC 1351 Cup on Saturday, will be looking to continue a fine run of form for Baker, with the trainer having recently struck with wide-margin Kempton winner Hieronymus, Lingfield scorer Bowling Russian and Tattersalls Horses-in-Training Sale buy Wargrave, who made a successful start for new connections when landing the feature event on the frozen lake at St Moritz.

George Baker: 'It would be a bitter-sweet win for us, but also a force of nature'Credit: Alan Crowhurst

"We pulled off the first half of the February double up that mountain and I can't wait to see if we can pull off the second half in Saudi Arabia," said Baker.

"It would be beyond our wildest dreams to see Graignes win, but I would be disappointed if he didn't run well. We went a little off-piste going to St Moritz and this is totally different again."

He continued: "Running in races like this is what it's all about. We've been lucky enough to travel with the likes of old Belgian Bill, and these big races are where you want to be. It's no cliché to say little fish are sweet but for a yard like us, with only 50 or 60 horses, it's a huge privilege to be involved."

Graignes was last seen finishing fifth behind One Master in the Prix de la Foret, and Baker reported the four-year-old has that seven-furlong Group 1 as his long-term target.

He said: "We'll work back from the Foret and look at all the big mile races. He'll probably end up in France at some point due to the premiums and he probably is best with a bit of cut in the ground."

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