'She'll really impress there' - Ramatuelle delighting Christopher Head ahead of autumn return for Prix de la Foret

There may not be too many better horses in training that have yet to win a Group 1 than Ramatuelle, but trainer Christopher Head is brimming with optimism that the highly tried daughter of Justify can break her duck at the top level this autumn.

Ramatuelle was collared late on in last season's Prix Morny and again in this year's 1,000 Guineas, before once more running with huge credit behind Porta Fortuna and Opera Singer in the Coronation Stakes.

Head has given her a break since Royal Ascot and says she is thriving ahead of her return to action at Longchamp on Arc day.

"Everything has gone very well, she’s doing great heading into the Prix de la Foret," said Head. "She put on a lot of condition for her break and we're very optimistic for the Foret, I think she'll really impress there."

Ramatuelle (black cap and sleeves) led deep into the final furlong of the 1,000 Guineas before being edged out by Elmalka and Porta FortunaCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ramatuelle carries the silks of former NBA star Tony Parker's Infinity Nine Horses, while her owning partners also include Normandy-based stud Ecurie des Monceaux.

A Group 1 breakthrough in the Foret over seven furlongs would count as a major result in its own right for Head and his team, while it could also set up a trip to Del Mar for Ramatuelle, an end-of-season double which was attempted on no fewer than three occasions by the mighty Goldikova.

"The Breeders’ Cup Mile would be an ambition afterwards, although we have to weigh a lot of factors after the Foret," said Head. "She has been perfect all season and we needed that little break to then prepare her for two really serious races, with the objective of winning them both."

Head has once again enjoyed an excellent strike-rate in 2024, with 22 per cent of his runners winning, while he is 12th in the trainers' standings despite having sent his best horse to Britain for her last two starts.

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