Shadow Army could be an important addition to Wathnan Racing’s team for the Qatar Goodwood Festival, having impressed connections with his performance in the Prix Robert Papin.
After a commanding debut victory at York, the Showcasing colt saw his form endorsed by the runner-up, Francisco’s Piece, leading to his acquisition by the Emir of Qatar’s racing operation before Royal Ascot. However, he finished further back in the Windsor Castle Stakes, despite being well-regarded.
In a Group Two contest at Chantilly, Shadow Army stepped up to six furlongs and put his Ascot performance behind him, showing the potential hinted at in his earlier race. He finished less than a length behind Karl Burke’s Prix Morny-bound Arabie, though he was slow to start and found himself short of room while advancing two furlongs from the finish. Nonetheless, connections are viewing this outing positively.
“It was a tremendous run, and we were delighted with that,” said Wathnan’s European racing adviser Richard Brown. He was wiped out at the start at Ascot, and it was a bit of a non-event. It was good to see he is up to that level because we only bought him after he won a maiden. It was a great run, and he seems to have come out of the race well. He’s still quite green, and I’m sure he is only going to improve for racing.”
Shadow Army is entered for the Gimcrack Stakes at York next month, but he may also be considered for Goodwood, where he could run in either the Markel Richmond Stakes or step up in distance for the seven-furlong Vintage Stakes.