Aurelien Lemaitre led Houquetot to an impressive victory at ParisLongchamp in the Gr.3 Prix La Rochette. The two-year-old colt, owned by Gerard Augustin-Normand, Jean-Claude Seroul, and Al Shaqab Racing, is trained by Christopher Head. With Lemaitre in the saddle, the son of Wootton Bassett raced in second place behind Sir Tommy Cen. As the race reached its final 400m, Houquetot made his move and surged ahead to win by three-quarters of a length. Heybetli came in second, while Revolutionnaire finished third.
After the race, Lemaitre commented on Houquetot’s performance, noting that the colt tried to anticipate the start and bumped his head into the stalls. Despite this setback, Lemaitre emphasized that Houquetot is a horse with tremendous speed who doesn’t like to be disturbed. In previous races, the strategy had been to wait and keep him covered, but on this occasion, he was happier racing alongside the leader. Lemaitre praised the colt’s ability to stay relaxed, breathe well, and accelerate smoothly when needed.
Houquetot, bred by Coolmore Stud, comes from an impressive bloodline. His dam, Happen, is a Group 3 winner, and his granddam, Alexandrova, won three Group 1 races. Happen is also the half-sister to Somehow, a Group 2 winner, and Alex My Boy, another Group 2 victor. This rich heritage suggests that Houquetot has the potential for further success on the racetrack. With Lemaitre’s skilled guidance and the support of his talented connections, the colt’s future looks promising.
The win at ParisLongchamp marked a significant achievement for Houquetot and his connections. Competing in a prestigious race like the Gr.3 Prix La Rochette requires talent, dedication, and skill, all of which were on display during the event. Lemaitre’s expert riding and understanding of the colt’s strengths and preferences played a crucial role in securing victory. Additionally, the teamwork between the owners, trainer, and jockey contributed to the success of the partnership and further established Houquetot as a promising contender in the racing world.
As a young colt, Houquetot has already shown tremendous potential on the racetrack. His victory at ParisLongchamp serves as a testament to his natural talent and the hard work put in by his team. With Lemaitre’s guidance, the colt was able to showcase his speed, power, and racing instincts to secure the win. Moving forward, Houquetot’s connections will no doubt be eager to continue his development and see how far his abilities can take him in the competitive world of horse racing.
In conclusion, Aurelien Lemaitre’s victory with Houquetot at ParisLongchamp highlights the potential of this talented two-year-old colt. With a strong pedigree and a skilled team behind him, including owners Gerard Augustin-Normand, Jean-Claude Seroul, and Al Shaqab Racing, as well as trainer Christopher Head, Houquetot has a bright future ahead. Lemaitre’s expert riding and understanding of the colt’s abilities were instrumental in securing the win, and future success on the racetrack seems likely for this promising young horse.
