'He reminds me of Sottsass' - Rouget in raptures over Al Hakeem after Listed win

Tuesday: Chantilly

Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget was in no mood to hide his glee after Al Hakeem sprinted clear of his rivals to land the Listed Prix de Suresnes at Chantilly, a race that has had a major bearing on the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club in the short time since it moved to Chantilly in 2019.

Rouget sent out Sottsass to secure a six-and-a-half-length success that year prior to him winning the Jockey Club, and Al Hakeem – like his Arc-winning predecessor a son of Siyouni – put four lengths on the well-regarded Yoozuna at the line.

"What we saw there was what I thought he would do and what I hope he would do," Rouget told French racing channel Equidia. "I've loved him since he walked into the yard as a yearling.

"He has a real presence which is quite unusual and he reminds me a lot of Sottsass, albeit he is bay. He has the same walk, the same look and the same presence. I hope he can continue in the same vein."

Al Shaqab's homebred was beaten on his debut at Deauville but was adding a third success since, and took the step up from a mile to ten furlongs in his stride.

In addition to Sottsass winning the Suresnes in 2019, Rouget landed the race last season with Saiydabad, who went on to finish fourth behind St Mark's Basilica in the Jockey Club.

Full result

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