Lake Forest likely to head back to Australia

Lake Forest is likely to gain another Australian stamp on his passport this autumn after his gallant second in the City of York Stakes.

The William Haggas-trained chestnut enjoyed a lucrative trip to Rosehill in November last year when winning the richly-endowed Golden Eagle ahead of Lazzat, who would later go on to win the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Lake Forest’s own Royal Ascot appearance saw him finish fifth in the Queen Anne, after which he was sixth in the Criterion at York and second in the Lennox at Goodwood.

He stepped back up to Group One level on his return to the Knavesmire at the weekend and ran a fine race under Tom Marquand, coming home half a length behind Never So Brave.

Sean Graham, racing manager to co-owner Tony Bloom, said: “The thing about Lake Forest is that he loves being in a battle, he doesn’t want to see too much daylight and in the race at York earlier in the season (eventual winner) Quinault had everything strung out like the washing.

“The same thing happened in the Lennox but he still ran a blinder as he was the only horse to come from off the pace, that form has stacked up because Jonquil (fifth) went on to win the Celebration Mile.

“We know he wants seven and a half furlongs in a strongly-run race with plenty in it on quick ground, so there are a couple of races for him in Australia in October and November and that will be the long-term plan.

“There’s one in Sydney and then there’s one on the final day of the Melbourne Carnival, both are quite valuable.

“He’s proven he can travel, he’s proven he’s tough as teak and when the ground starts to soften there won’t be much for him here anyway.”

Haggas also trains Sky Majesty for the same owners, with Ian McAleavy co-owning both horses alongside Bloom, and she is another horse in rare form having won the Group Three Ballyogan Stakes at Naas on Sunday.

She was a winner at the same track at Listed level prior to that, and with her liking for some cut in the ground it is likely that Champions Day at Ascot will be a key target now.

The filly won the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte on heavy ground at Chantilly last term, and having truly hit her stride this year she could bid for a Group One title to add to that Group Two win.

“Tom Marquand said the ground was beautiful at Naas, with a good bit of cut in it,” said Graham.

“I think her main target for the end of the season will be the Champions Sprint on Champions Day at Ascot, hopefully the ground will come up soft then.

“We’ll wait to see how she is before making any decisions, but that would be what we’re thinking.”