Prix de l’Abbaye: “I think she’s overpriced, to be honest"
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 3 Oct 2026
Katie Scott is living the dream ahead of Naana’s Shadow’s bid for Prix de l’Abbaye glory at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.
Bought for just 20,000 guineas as a 72-rated sprinter in November last year, few could have envisaged that 11 months later she would be lining up on Arc day as a serious contender for Group One honours.
But a low-key win at Catterick in April was followed by more lucrative handicap successes at Epsom, York and Goodwood – and having since provided her Scottish trainer with a first Group-race success over the Abbaye course and distance three weeks ago, connections will head across the Channel with realistic ambitions of a fairytale success in the Parisian sunshine.
Scott, who trains just 21 horses and will also saddle outsider Luna A Inbhir Nis in the five-furlong dash, said: “If someone had said earlier in the year that we’d win a Group race by the end of the season we’d have taken that with both hands and she’s done that.
“We didn’t anticipate we’d be running in a Group One when we got going in April with her, so it’s a dream really and if we can get everything to go to plan up until Sunday afternoon it’s up to her and Oisin (Murphy) to show what they can do.”
The Galashiels handler said Naana’s Shadow’s emphatic all-the-way victory in the Prix du Petit Couvert not only proved she is capable of competing at this level, but also gave her small team experience of everything that goes into campaigning a horse abroad.
“Her win last time was our first win at Pattern level, so it was great to tick that box. Being the size of yard we are, it’s amazing,” Scott continued.
“It gave us the experience of dealing with the French regulations, she travelled well and handled the track, so that’s all positive.
“I don’t think there’s an out-and-out Group One performer in there. Obviously there’s a lot of good horses and it’s very competitive, but it does look open.”
If saddling one runner in such a prestigious contest were not enough, Scott is also looking forward to running Luna A Inbhir Nis, who she feels may have been underestimated.
Scott added: “To be honest this was her target all summer, it’s Naana’s Shadow who has changed course.
“We thought with the way that Luna jumps and travels the track would really suit her. She’s had a bit of a stop-start season, but Rumstar is second-favourite and she was only just behind him in Sandown in the Coral Charge.
“I think she’s overpriced, to be honest. I think she’s going with an each-way squeak and we’ll be doing our best with both of them.
“It’s amazing for us and the owners. To be honest I probably would have bottled it and taken one to Ascot on Saturday, but the owners are really game people, they enjoy their sport and they want to go racing.
“To have two darts to throw at a Group One is amazing. Obviously Naana’s Shadow is the one in form and she’s won at the track, but hopefully we’re going with a live chance and an outsider’s chance as well.”
Since winning his second Coral Charge, Rumstar has finished in the Nunthorpe at York and the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh and his trainer Jonathan Portman would love for him to enjoy a deserved day in the sun.
“We’re very pleased with him and we’re just hoping he runs a true race,” he said.
“We’ll be happy as long as the ground is not bottomless and he doesn’t like it blisteringly fast either. Hopefully it’s somewhere in the middle.”
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