Charpy scores 'breathtaking' horserace triple

On a weekend when horseracing in the UAE has been enriched by some high quality performances, French trainer Erwan Charpy scored by far his most significant success of the season when saddling a treble at the Jebel Ali Racecourse yesterday afternoon.

In the process Charpy halted Godolphin's winning spree, ironically winning the meet's main event with Breathtaking View, a former Godolphin horse.

Charpy, who has won 20 races this season but seen over 80 of his horses only place, also scored with the Arabian Fakir De Rouaisse and the ever dependable Marciale.

Godolphin, however, were not totally shut out. Festival of Light, who figured porminently when campaigned in the U.S. by the stable's American trainer Eoin Harty, made a very impressive debut at Jebel Ali, winning his maiden by 7 lengths.

He also came within two tenths of a second of shattering the course record set by Khair. Festival of Light clocked an impressive one minute 10.72 seconds for the mile. The day, nonetheless, belonged to Charpy.

Breathtaking View's victory was a reward for his forbearance. The Country Pine son, who finished eighth to Fantastic Light in the $2 million Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup day last year, joined Charpy's Green Stables at the end of the season. In three starts since, he has finished on board twice after opening the season by taking fifth place to Pentagonal in the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes. In his last start, three weeks back, he finished fourth to Nadeem at Nad Al Sheba.