International campaign on the agenda for blistering 'Bolttaash'
France could be just the beginning for lightning-fast Abbaye winner Battaash, with trainer Charlie Hills eyeing a global campaign next year for his sprint sensation who has new golden shoes to match his speed.
Given the speed in which he covers five furlongs, it can be a case of blink and you miss Battaash, but he was easy to spot on Sunday sporting his natty copper shoes.
"Usain Bolt can have them, so why not him?" Hills joked. "We call him Bolttaash now."
The snazzy shoes are set to stay, and with Battaash having taken his first trip abroad in his stride, Hills is now eyeing targets further afield for the son of Dark Angel, who could become the yard's first global moneyspinner, with targets including the Everest in Australia in October next year.
The three-year-old's four-length demolition job of his rivals down the straight at Chantilly was a sight to behold, as he careered away from the field under Jim Crowley to claim a first Group 1.
It was a display of controlled aggression and pace, as opposed to his run in the Nunthorpe at York, where he boiled over beforehand and could only finish fourth.
"He took it all really well, obviously we didn't want a repeat of York," Hills said on Tuesday.
"He was stabled in a different yard the night before and came over to the course at around 10am. It was a great day, he's got so much ability and raw speed."
Well-behaved at home, Battaash gets his game face on when at the track. Hills said: "He's very chilled out, like a pet. He goes out with the string no problem, it's just his blood gets up when he's out on course."
Battaash is set to return to action next year and Hills said: "There's lots of money abroad and there's plenty of races to look at like the Everest in Australia."
Having been gelded to help concentrate his mind on racing, Battaash's value lies in winning races, and he could go to Meydan for the Al Quoz in March before the King's Stand at Royal Ascot next year, and Hills is confident he will be even better at four.
The trainer said: "He'll definitely improve next year, I've never seen a horse with so much speed on the gallops. He'll go back to Shadwell now for a break, and then we'll look to have him back in around Christmas."
Published on 3 October 2017inNews
Last updated 20:58, 3 October 2017
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