Thursday afternoons generally offer little to set the pulse racing outside of the major summer festivals. Last Thursday was much the same on the domestic front, with handicapping, maiden, and novice action dominating the cards in Britain and Ireland.
However, an altogether more interesting race took place on the other side of the Channel, as the big meeting in France set the stage for the return of one of William Haggas’s most promising performers.
Haggas Plays Waiting Game with Economics
Much water has flowed under the bridge since the Dante Stakes at York on 16th May. The Derby – for which the Dante is viewed as the key domestic trial – has come and gone. Royal Ascot delighted us in June, Newmarket in August and in the middle, Goodwood in July. All excellent meetings, but this year’s Dante hero swerved the lot.
Economics demolishes the Dante field!pic.twitter.com/jKxwvFagsy
— FITZDARES (@Fitzdares) May 16, 2024
To wait so long to see the Dante winner in action would be mildly disappointing in most years, but this wasn’t just any old Dante Winner, with the William Haggas-trained Economics leading the field a merry dance en route to a six-length demolition job in 2024.
Economics may not have raced since, but the form of the Dante had received a couple of boosts in his absence. Runner-up Ancient Wisdom landed the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy and seventh-placed Al Musmak scored in Listed company at Newmarket. That said, War Rooms, God’s Window, and Caviar Heights did little to advertise the form in their subsequent outings, leading some to ask, “Is Economics really as good as he looked?”.
Too Big For Epsom
Having temporarily been backed into Derby favouritism on the back of his Dante heroics, his absence at Epsom undoubtedly detracted a little from the great race. However, Haggas was adamant that such a big horse – Economics appeared to tower over his rivals at York – would be ill-suited by the twists, turns, and undulations of Epsom Downs.
To skip the Derby was a brave call, considering the prize money and boost to breeding value on offer, but the decision received the full backing of owner Isa Salman Al Khalifa.
Too Good at Deauville
Having landed both the Derby and Oaks during his illustrious career, Haggas has earned the right to be trusted by his owners, no matter how big the carrot. Nevertheless, the 63-year-old must have felt at least a little pressure to get things right. Foregoing a shot at the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York next week, Haggas opted for a slightly gentler introduction in the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville.
Whilst not as deep as the Juddmonte International field, this 1m2f contest contained enough talent to take advantage should Economics perform below expectations or simply not be the machine he looked at York in the Spring. Jean-Claude Rouget saddled three, headed by Arrow Eagle, who dropped down from Group 1 company; Andre Fabre sent Group 2 winner Bright Picture in pursuit of the prize, whilst Listed winner Almaqam and Hampton Court Stakes hero Jayarebe also made the trip over from Newmarket.
A decent test for Economics on paper, but one he passed with flying colours. Held up in the early stages, the son of Night Of Thunder had around four lengths to make up with Brian Meehan’s Jayarebe on the turn for home. Once switched to the outside, the response was emphatic, as the giant stride of the strapping chestnut began to devour the ground. Drawing level inside the final furlong, he looked to have plenty left in the tank when crossing the line 2l clear, with a further six lengths back to Almaqam in third.
Next Stop, Group 1 Company
The Prix Guillaume d’Ornano may not be the most famous event on the French calendar, but often falls to a horse who goes on to make their presence felt at the highest level: 2015 champ New Bay finished third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe; 2016 winner Almanzor bagged the Irish Champion Stakes and Champion Stakes at Ascot; Mishriff won the 2020 edition before claiming the Dubai Sheema Classic and Juddmonte International in 2021, and the 2023 hero was none other than Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe king and Cartier Horse of the Year, Ace Impact.
Whether Economics goes on to scale similar heights remains to be seen, but this performance confirmed his rising star status and whet the appetite for his next racecourse appearance. That outing appears most likely to come in the Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday, 14th September – setting up a potentially mouthwatering clash with City Of Troy.
