Staying home: Earthlight connections spurn Sussex option in favour of Deauville

Earthlight will not put his unbeaten record on the line in next Wednesday's Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, after owner Sheikh Mohammed and trainer Andre Fabre elected to stick to sprint distances with the son of Shamardal.

Earthlight was introduced as a 10-1 shot by bookmakers earlier this week when it emerged the Sussex was under consideration, but Fabre said on Thursday morning that his return to Group 1 company would be at Deauville on August 9.

"We have decided against running Earthlight at Goodwood," said Fabre. "He will wait for the Prix Maurice de Gheest. He is proven in these sort of sprint races so there is no point stepping him up [in trip] yet."

The Sussex remains an exciting prospect, with Siskin, Kameko and Mohaather all reported on course for next Wednesday's highlight.

With the Charlie Appleby-trained Pinatubo being given a break during August, Fabre and Sheikh Mohammed have been able to firm up plans for two more Godolphin stars, Victor Ludorum and Persian King, who is owned in partnership with his breeder Diane Wildenstein.

After landing a second career Group 1 in the Prix d'Ispahan at Chantilly over the intermediate trip of nine furlongs, Persian King looks set to stick at a mile for his next start, with the possibility of him travelling to York for the Juddmonte International now looking remote.

Prix d'Ispahan winner Persian King is being trained for the Prix Jacques le MaroisCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

Fabre said: "The plan is that Victor Ludorum will go for the mile and a quarter race, the Guillaume d’Ornano and Persian King will be trained for the Prix Jacques le Marois."

The two races are run at Deauville within 24 hours of one another with the Guillaume d’Ornano - a Group 2 restricted to three-year-olds - a chance for Victor Ludorum to solidify his claims at the distance after enduring a wide trip throughout when third to Mishriff in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.

Even at a reduced €600,000 - down from the usual €1 million in accordance with France Galop's blanket 40 per cent cut at Group 1 level due to loss of income during racing's shutdown - the Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard-sponsored Marois will be by far the richest mile race of the summer in Europe.

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