Peintre Celebre colt Collection eyeing US G1

1st July 2008

Fast-improving Royal Ascot winner Collection (3c Peintre Celebre-Lasting Chance, by American Chance) could be aimed at the G1 Secretariat Stakes on August 9 at Arlington Park in Chicago.

The William Haggas-trained three-year-old, who is owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, was one of the most impressive winners of the week at Royal Ascot when running away with the Listed Hampton Court Stakes.

"We've got a few options but we'll be looking at maybe running him in the Secretariat," Harry Herbert, racing manager for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, told PA Sport. "The year before last a horse of ours called Primary went over to finish third in it and he wouldn't be as good as Collection.

"The difference is that this horse has got gears, he loves fast ground and a fast pace so there are a lot of ticks in that regard. Also, it is a very valuable race.

"So we are looking at that and we are also looking - if he doesn't go for that - at the G2 Sky Bet Stakes at York, maybe taking on older horses. Depending on how he goes, we'll maybe go back to York for the G1 Juddmonte International.

"It is very much one step at a time because we are trying to build this horse's career. We want to continue Kerrin McEvoy's association with the horse because he knows him like the back of his hand now and we will probably make a decision in the next week."

Collection was bred by Peter Savill and was bought for 130,000 euros by John Warren at the 2006 Arqana August Yearling Sale in Deauville.