Onesto swoops in the Grand Prix de Paris

Unleashing his deadly acceleration to maximum effect at ParisLongchamp Onesto (Frankel) stormed into the big time in yesterday's Gr.1 Grand Prix de Paris.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 15th July 2022, by Tom Frary:

This type of performance had looked on the cards after his scintillating win in the 10 and a half furlong Gr.2 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud and a highly commendable effort from a horror draw when dead-heating for fifth in the Gr.1 Prix du Jockey-Club.

The Fabrice Chappet-trained chestnut was duly made the 10-3 favourite ahead of the race. Anchored last early by Stephane Pasquier having run freely to post, the first Group 1 winner for his breeder Diamond Creek Farm who sported the colours of Gerard Augustin-Normand for the first time proved perfectly tractable in the race and saved energy tracking the other five.

Producing the burst once straightened for home that is already his trademark over a 12-furlong trip that was certain to play to his strengths, he produced a :11.09 penultimate sectional to overhaul the long-time leader Simca Mille a furlong from
home. That rallying rival kept the winning margin to a neck only, with the Prix du Jockey-Club runner-up El Bodegon back in third.

This trip looked truly up his street, hailing from the family of Juddmonte's great blue hen Hasili and by Frankel, whose 25th Group 1 winner he duly became. It capped a memorable week for the breeders, who had supplied the Fasig-Tipton July Sale-topping Curlin colt.

"He can be slightly too keen and Stephane did well to rate him," Chappet said. "In the race, he was slightly too cold but when he made his move between horses two out he was right there to produce his turn of foot. In fact it turned out to be the perfect race for him. He ran a great race in the Prix du Jockey Club, but he was out of it turning for home because of his bad draw. You can have regrets because there is only one Derby in the life of a horse, but take nothing away from the winner - I am
not saying we would have won."