Fabre Confident In New Bay

Trainer Andre Fabre has expressed confidence in his G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G2 Prix Niel victor New Bay (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) ahead of the Oct. 4 G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, suggesting the 3-year-old will handle any type of ground. New Bay is the 9-2 second choice for the Arc behind treble-seeker Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}).

“I was delighted with him in the Niel and he took the race well,” Fabre noted. “He is in good shape and he is going to run well in the Arc, I’m sure. He has won on all sorts of ground, from very soft to faster ground, so whatever comes up on the day will be fine. The weather forecast looks quite dry, but at this time of year, the ground does not dry up so much.”

The Juddmonte homebred is likely to be Fabre’s only representative in the Arc, with fellow Khalid Abdullah colorbearer–and last year’s Arc runner-up–Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) likely to wait for the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf off a win in Saratoga’s GI Sword Dancer S. Aug. 29. Flintshire was also second in the Turf last year.

“He is 50-50 [for the Arc],” Fabre said. “I think I would prefer to keep him fresh for Keeneland.”

Flintshire is likely to be joined on the trip to Kentucky by stablemate Territories (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who targets the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile for Godolphin.