Brando Apprécie La Gloire Du Groupe 1 Avec Maurice De Gheest

This time last year Brando was gearing up for his first foray into Group 1 company as he headed to York for the Nunthorpe. For 4f of that race he showed his class, travelling like the best horse in the race. One year on he travelled even better, he moved even smoother and quickened up to take the Group 1 Prix Maurice De Gheest at Deauville with a very classy display.

Brando was a revelation in 2016, really coming of age throughout the year and delivering one of the most emotional wins. Having started off the year with a convincing win off a mark of 88, Brando shot through the rankings going close in the Wokingham, winning the Group 3 Coral Charge, finishing second to the classy Mecca’s Angel in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes. All these performances saw his handicap mark soar to 110 which meant he lined up for the Ayr Gold Cup carrying top weight. The performance that he delivered was one of the best performances in the race, winning off the highest ever mark and doing so impressively, sprinting clear of a strong field. The Ayr Gold Cup was the race that owners Angie Bailey and Peter Tingey had yearned for so if Brando was never to race again he had done enough, he had delivered.

Following that victory there was only one way to go. Champions Day was the big target left and at Ascot Brando proved he deserved to be amongst the elite. He was slightly unlucky that day but ran a great race to finish third, in only his second attempt at Group 1 level. One thing it did confirm was that 2017 would revolve solely around the big Group 1 sprints.

Brando has his season mapped out, with the first major target being Royal Ascot. After an impressive return, when taking the Group 3 Abernant stakes, he went to York as the favourite for the Duke Of York Stakes. Cruising to the 2f pole, Brando looked like the winner but within two strides he went from winner to the first horse beat. Fortunately, in the sense that there was an obvious issue, he was found to have bled which explained the performance. Thankfully he was 100% the following day so the plan was still in place. Unfortunately nobody could envisage the next bump in the road as Brando’s Royal Ascot bid was scuppered with the enforced closure of the yard in June. the first target was missed so disappointed but with renewed vigour Kevin set about preparations for the July Cup.

The July Cup was the first time where the best 3yr old sprinters would take on the best older sprinters. Brando was the forgotten horse, written off by many. This was due to his performance at York but also the competition he faced. The line up was amazing, one of the strongest renewals of the race. Group 1 winners Limato & The Tin Man lined up, 3 yr old sensation Carravagio was the star turn and his rival Harry Angel attempted to gain revenge. Despite this confidence was strong behind Brando. Having been sat towards the rear of the field Brando showed his usual acceleration to go on and finish third to Harry Angel. This performance convinced connections that Brando could grab Group 1 victory this season, although it would be a difficult task. 

Brando Being Led Out To The Track

So it was on to France next for the Prix Maurice De Gheest. The Group 1 event would take Brando into new territory as it is run over 6 1/2f but that extra distance was seen as potential advantage. Again the race revolved around one horse, as everyone was wondering whether Carravagio could bounce back following his first career defeat. It was far from the one horse race that many seemed to think it was. Signs Of Blessing, last years winner, Group 2 winner Magical Memory, the unknown 3 year olds Fas and Rosa Blessing all lined up. The there was Brando. Many seemed to have forgotten that he beat Carravagio at Newmarket, sweeping past him in the latter stages after being positioned a couple of lengths off him. That gave everyone confidence and it was hard to believe there was 10 points difference in the pair on the betting. 

Signs Of Blessing had won the race last year by making all and with pace maker Intelligence Cross in the field there was sure to be plenty of pace on to aim at. As the stalls opened Tom took the confident approach and immediately settled Brando towards the rear of the field down the centre. Carravagio slightly missed the break and took a similar position down the stands side rail. As expected the pace quickly rose to be a strong early gallop with aforementioned pair cutting out the running but being hard pressed early on. Brando was out towards the centre of the track with a couple of rivals and Tom was keen to get across towards the main bunch. After 1/2 furlong they moved across and as the groups merged into one Tom had moved Brando to 3/4 of the way down the field, covered up nicely down the outer. Signs Of Blessing held the lead and took the field along just a few horse widths off the rail, which meant that there was plenty of room to manoeuvre and all should have a fair crack when challenging.

With the field quite stretched through the first couple of furlongs there was plenty of daylight between the runners but fortunately Tom managed to get tucked in and get cover. It was a strong gallop and there were early warning signs from the favourite as he struggled to go. Most of the action was happening off the rail as the jockeys were choosing to follow the leader. Having walked the track beforehand Tom knew there was no difference in ground so he knew he could choose where to make his challenge, aware that there was no bias. Brando travelled well through the first half of the race gradually move into a position to challenge, rather undetected. 

The race really began to heat up moving past the 3f marker. Signs Of Blessing still held sway and started to assert over his nearest rivals. Those who chased the leader were starting to pay for the strong pace. Carravagio began to work to try and close the deficit but was struggling to really hit top gear. Brando was moving very well and closed up to the front, stalking his rivals. They were lining up behind the leader but as yet Signs Of Blessing hadn’t wilted.

Moving to the  2f marker was where the complexion of the race changed. The leader now had to try and kick clear of the rest and this had a domino effect on the rest. The rivals who could challenge now got to work, attempting to quicken up to the leader. Carravagio was still hard at work and looked beaten but there were plenty in with chances, mainly the English contingent. The yellow and purple silks were making headway through the field but Tom was still sitting motionless. Whilst everyone was scrubbing away Brando moved up to challenge hard on the bridle. Pulses started to rise as it became obvious that Brando was at least going to have a go and be in with a shout come the finish.

Tom has struck up a great relationship with Brando and knows the horse as well as anyone. One thing that he wanted was for something to take him into the race which had been done perfectly up to the 1f marker. Having travelled easily throughout the race Tom had actually taken a pull to maintain cover and track the leader for longer. Having moved easily on to the girths of Signs Of Blessing and he was going that well that Tom had no choice but to go, with nothing else left to take him any further. Brando quickened past the leader and kicked clear. Tupi tried to go with him but couldn’t match the chestnut and it was Acclaim who laid down the last challenge. Brando just edged away from the stick and moved across towards his rival who was finishing well. Brando had got into this position well but now he needed to cement his place and as soon as he heard the closing hooves behind him he realised there might be a bit more left to do. Both horses pulled clear but it was clear now that Brando was always doing enough. With 1/2 length advantage the last 50 yards were sweet and Brando flashed past the line now as a Group 1 winner. 

There were cheers and tears of joy as Brando was welcomed back into the winners enclosure. The calmest of everyone was the big chestnut who was as laid back as ever. It was a great win and certainly one of the best performances seen from a horse sent out from Hambleton Lodge. Pete and Angie have been called lucky owners by some but they are only that because they make their own luck. Year on year they support the yard, spending plenty of money on new potential stars and in turn support racing like all owners do. Win, lose or draw they have the same outlook on the sport and deserve all the success they have had in recent years. The yellow and purple silks are a stalwart of northern racing now and thankfully their support has been rewarded. 

There’s a huge amount of credit that has to go to Tom. Having first sat on him in the Wokingham, Tom has developed a great partnership with Brando and it is him who has worked out just how he ticks. The confidence he installs in the horse has seen him develop the great patient racing style. Brando’s groom, Tracey Purseglove, works tirelessly and knows Brando the best and it was great to see the celebrations that her and our travelling head groom, Mel, had after Brando crossed the line. The staff all deserve credit for the hard work they put in day in day out. This is true every year as we have a great team, but this season has really seen the staff stand up. Group 1 wins don’t come round that often but this was made that little bit sweeter following a testing period. 

As for the star of the show Brando he looks to have three races left this season. Obviously it’s the top level for him and the Haydock sprint will be next. That would be followed by a trip back to France for the 7f Prix Foret before rounding the season off at Ascot for the Champions Sprint. Brando really showed his class and it’ll be great to see him take on the best once again. The win will live long in the memory but hopefully there’s still more to come.