In the Prix de Cornulier, Quif de Villeneuve achieved two impressive feats. The entire equalled the record over the large 2700m track (1’12) held by Offshore Dream in the 2008 Prix d’Amerique. Secondly, he proved that it is possible to debut in the sphere and go straight to the top in the most important race for older horses in the mounted category.
Beforehand, horses that had attempted to do this did not have a good record, with the best performance coming from Scarlet Knight when second in 2007. On Sunday, Quif de Villeneuve made history with his jockey Yoann Lebourgeois and for his trainer Franck Leblanc, whose three runners finished in the first five.
The equalling of the record owes a lot to Paladin Bleu as well, who went down the descent in 1’05, with Robert Keeper and Recia du Closet following in his wake. On their hindquarters followed Quif de Villeneuve in front of his stablemate Save The Quick, who led Oyonnax and Private Love.
Quif de Villeneuve kept up with the pace, following the leaders into the final kilometre before being given a quick breather. Going round the final turn, the son of Coktail Jet pulled away from his rivals, with Save The Quick in pursuit. Private Love gave his all, finishing well to beat Oyonnax, who had trouble finding a gap on the rail in the final stages, in the process interfering with Opale du Goutier. Tango Quick, who made a mistake in the plain made up lost ground, making a good final impression.
Winner of the GNT 2011, as well as the Cloture in the same series, Quif de Villeneuve took his first Group 1 event in impressive style, even more so as he was debuting under the saddle.