The talented young sprinter MILLAU (Wotton Bassett x Sage Melody) carried the colours of his owner His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani to victory for the fourth time this year when winning the Prix Contessina at Fontainbleu on Friday, November 12th.
Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the three-year-old gelding notched up his fourth win from only seven career start and was given a positive ride by his regular jockey Olivier Peslier to take the 1,200m contest.
Quickly away from the stalls for the five-runner contest, Millau was sent straight into the lead by Peslier. Setting a good gallop, Millau was tracked by King Gold (Anodin) and Bavaria Express (Dabirsim) through the early stages. Travelling strongly throughout the race, Millau was asked to extend his advantage at the 400m pole and he looked to have all challenges covered. Live (Outstrip) came from the back of the field with a late run, but Millau only needed to be pushed out to the line to win cosily. Live finished one and a quarter length back in second, with Bavaria Express holding onto third.
Winning trainer Francis-Henri Graffard stated that Millau will now head to Qatar.
Millau was bred by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Al Shahania Stud and is by Coolmore stallion WOTTON BASSETT (Iffraaj), who is also the sire of the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner WOODED, who was also trained by Francis Henri Graffard and is owned by Al Shaqab Racing. MILLAU’s dam SAGE MELODY (Sageburg) was placed third in a Group 3 over 1,000m.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club