3-YEAR-OLD BAY COLT
SEA THE MOON x GAGARINA (Galileo)
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Breeder: R.SHAYKHUTDINOV
Owners: R.SHAYKHUTDINOV
This horse is more of a gut feel when it comes to a horse to follow. He is a son on the German Derby Winner, Sea the Moon, a rising star as a stallion of middle distance horses, whilst his dam, Gagarina is by the super sire Galileo and is a half-sister to the talented Attima. Everything about that pedigree would scream stamina, so it was no surprise to see him start his career over 9 1/2 furlongs at Chantilly. However, it was the way that Gagarin's moon went about his business which was so eyecatching. Having been caught in a pocket in midfield, Gagarin's Moon found himself in behind the leaders as they turned into the straight. As those who had made the running began to fade, he was forced to switch wide under Stephane Pasquier, which seriously checked his momentum. However, once he was in the clear he was able to quicken again to beat Gordian and Le Nomade by a head, both of which had far smoother passages in the race.
His trainer Fabrice Chappet told Jour de Galop after the race "He is still raw, It's never easy to start against horses that have experience, even if they are not at a very high standard. He is very well bred and he is a Colt that we like. Job done today ".
The closing sectional times show that in spite of his breeding, this horse has a decent run of foot, coming home in 11.60s and 11.75s for the final 2 furlongs. Clearly, the longer trips on more galloping tracks than the all-weather at Chantilly are going to be more suitable, but this was a very impressive start. His owner/breeder, Rashit Shaykhutdinov bought him back for €90,000 at the Arqana yearling sales and in time that could prove to be a very shrewd piece of business. He holds entries in the Prix du Jockey Club and the Grand Prix de Paris and is clearly well thought of. He is an exciting Colt to look out for as he develops over the course of the season.
