Rouget hails Brametot among his greats after Classic late show

The day after the Investec Derby was turned on its head in the closing stages, the French version was the subject of similar drama, though this time it was the warm favourite and not an outsider that flew late down the outside.

Brametot and Cristian Demuro pulled a second Classic out of the fire in the dying strides, three weeks after claiming the Poule d’Essai des Poulains on the line at Deauville.

And once again it was Andre Fabre and Pierre-Charles Boudot who were on the receiving end, as Waldgeist was worn down by Brametot’s relentless late progress.

Waldgeist might now head to the Curragh in search of Derby recompense against Saturday’s hero Wings Of Eagles in the Irish version, while the winner looks likely to be campaigned with the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in mind.

Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget hailed the son of Rajsaman as “among the great champions I have trained” but admitted that it was courage that won the day again for Brametot, who received quotes for the Arc ranging from 10-1 (Betfred and BoyleSports) to 8-1 (Paddy Power and Ladbrokes).

“Brametot is virtually unbeaten - the only time he was beaten he was ridden mid-pack and pulled too hard - so he is among the great champions that I have trained,” said Rouget. “He gives us a fright because he never wins by far. He has won two Group 1s by a head and a short head. It’s fantastic because he has such heart and such will to beat his rivals, he’ll do anything to get past them.”

'A real fighter'

Rouget said he had thought the race was lost turning for home, as Demuro remained behind a wall of horses and well off the pace as Taj Mahal, Rivet and Recoletos - who would go on to finish third - struck for home.

Rouget said: “I wasn’t worried for most of the race because he is a horse that likes to take his time but he was so far back turning into the straight and I had never seen him that far back. I thought we were beaten. But he really won with his heart and he is a real fighter.”

Classic hero: Brametot nishes fast down the outside to win the Prix du Jockey ClubCredit: Edward Whitaker

Demuro once again displayed immense calm in the heat of battle, as he allowed Brametot to gather himself before launching his bid for glory.

“Brametot was magnificent today because turning in I was trapped and took a knock and I didn’t feel like I wasn’t in a good spot,” said Demuro. “I waited behind Soleil Marin and then when I pulled him out he began to get to them bit by bit. He just loves to dominate the others and when I got to Waldgeist I knew he wouldn’t give up.”

Rouget would commit to nothing more than a comeback in September and it was left to Sylvain Vidal, racing manager for co-owner Gerard Augustin-Normand, to underline the Arc as Brametot’s main objective.

“We will discuss it together [with Al Shaqab and Jean-Claude Rouget] but Cristian said he wasn’t spent at the end and so I think he will stay and it is almost certain he will run,” said Vidal.

Waldgeist set for the Curragh

Fabre and Dietrich von Boetticher, in whose Gestut Ammerland colours Waldgeist runs, will also plot a way back to Chantilly on October 1, having opted to stay at home rather than run in the Derby.

“Andre thought for the future this would be better because it is easier,” said Boetticher. “Epsom is a tough race and we want to go on with him. He will improve more and I think the Arc is the perfect distance.”

Fabre has always considered the Irish Derby the ideal race for Waldgeist and Boetticher added: “That is the Hurricane Run tour. Hurricane lost this race by a tiny amount and then picked up the Irish Derby and then went on. We always have to try when they are this good.”

Taj Mahal set the pace and held off War Decree and Orderofthegarter, with the Ballydoyle trio finishing fourth, fifth and sixth. But Rivet failed to get home under Frankie Dettori and could manage only eighth.

“He never really settled at all,” said Maureen Haggas, wife of trainer William. “To a point he ran fine but, because he had been too keen, he didn’t get home. We are not really much wiser than we were half an hour ago [as to] whether this is his trip or we go back to a mile.”

Result and analysis