Loving Things repays Cooper and Cumani patience with final waltz

Loving Things could already have been off to the paddocks by now but for trainer Luca Cumani's pleading to keep her for Sunday's Group 3 Prix de Flore at Saint-Cloud, a race she duly won in convincing fashion under Christophe Soumillon.

Last seen when finishing down the field in a fast-ground Yorkshire Oaks, Normandie Stud's daughter of Pivotal showed class and determination to get the better of Switching and Furia Cruzada.

"We ran her in the Yorkshire Oaks on firm ground which she hated so we've just had to wait," said owner-breeder Philippa Cooper. "Luca was very keen we came for this race. I was actually going to bring her home and retire her and Luca said please wait for the Prix de Flore."