Victor Ludorum carries Godolphin’s hopes at French 2000 Guineas

Andre Fabre-trained Shamardal colt out for redemption after Longchamp loss

Victor Ludorum's undefeated start to career came to an end in May. Courtesy Godolphin.com

While the much-anticipated racing season resumes in Britain with a bumper 10-race card at the all-weather Newcastle, Godolphin’s focus shifts across the channel when Victor Ludorum bids for the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, the French 2000 Guineas, at Deauville on Monday.

The Andre Fabre-trained Shamardal colt will be out to redeem his status after his undefeated streak in three career starts ended when he came home third in the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau at Longchamp on his reappearance on May 11.

Lisa-Jane Grafford of Godolphin in France quietly fancies the Mickael Barzalona-ridden star to bounce back from that disappointment when he tackles seven others, including the re-opposing The Summit and Ecrivain, in the French classic.

“Victor Ludorum has done really well since his run in the Fontainebleau but he will nevertheless need to leave that run behind him and be able to perform up to his best,” she told the Godolphin website.

“While he is the highest-rated horse in the race, he faces several rivals who have shown the potential to deliver a Group-1 winning performance and none can be discounted, making this a very competitive renewal.

“Before the horses go to post, it’s worth paying tribute to everyone in the industry who has worked so hard to look after the horses, and to ensure a safe resumption of racing.”

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Darlington Hall lines up against the best of this year’s three-year-olds in Japan for a second time in the Grade 1 Tokyo Yoshin, the Japanese Derby.

The New Approach colt steps up to a mile and a half following her sixth-place finish under Mirco Demuro in the mile Grade 1 Satsuki Sho, the Japanese 2000 Guineas, at Nakayama on April 19.

“We are excited about Darlington Hall running in the Derby,” Harry Sweeney, president of Godolphin in Japan, said.

“Contrail and Salios (the Japanese 2000 Guineas winner and runner up who are both re-opposing) are both exceptional horses and deservedly will have the lion’s share of fan support but the Godolphin horse is capable of making the frame.

“He is a big horse and we believe that the long uphill straight finish in Tokyo will suit him.

“Though his preparation for the Satsuki Sho was somewhat interrupted, he nevertheless acquitted himself adequately by finishing sixth of the 18 runners. He has had no interruptions in his preparation this time round and we believe he can improve on his last performance.”

“Mirco will be riding Darlington Hall for the second time this weekend and we expect to see the pair being a bit more prominent early on. Darlington Hall is drawn in stall nine, which is ideal.”