Masaaki Matsushima acquires Helter Skelter ahead of Lagardere outing

Helter Skelter, who was one of the most intriguing additions to Arqana’s Arc Sale only to be withdrawn from the catalogue, will have his first run in the colours of prominent Japanese owner Masaaki Matsushima in Sunday’s Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

The Wootton Bassett colt was bought by trainer Jean-Claude Rouget for what looks a snip €30,000 at last year’s Osarus sale and he did little wrong in four starts for his previous owner, Ecuries Serge Stempniak.

He won a maiden at Longchamp in June before finishing second to Charlie Appleby’s useful Well Of Wisdom in a Listed event at the same track a month later.

Most recently, Helter Skelter landed his own Listed honours by coming nicely clear in the Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage at Deauville.

Matsushima will have an exciting day ahead as one of the three horses he has raced in France so far this season, Savarin, takes part in the Prix Marcel Boussac. By Deep Impact out of the French Oaks winner Sarafina, she has looked exciting in winning both starts this season.

The owner has engaged the Japanese legend Yutaka Take for both rides. In August it was announced that he had also bought into Derby fourth and dual Classic trial winner Broome as a prospective Arc runner, but he has not made the final line-up.

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