Ambiente Friendly Bounces Back After Disappointing York Run, Eyes Future Targets

James Fanshawe has provided an encouraging update on his star colt, Ambiente Friendly, following a lackluster performance in the Juddmonte International at York. Despite high hopes for the three-year-old, who had previously finished runner-up in the Derby at Epsom and secured third place in the Irish equivalent, Ambiente Friendly failed to make an impact in last week's race.

Ridden by his regular jockey, the son of Gleneagles struggled to settle, pulling hard in the early stages before fading out of contention. He crossed the finish line a disappointing 10th out of 13 runners, well behind the impressive winner, City Of Troy, who further cemented his reputation as Europe's leading middle-distance horse with a dominant, front-running display that set a new course record.

In the aftermath of the race, Fanshawe reported that Ambiente Friendly had gotten his tongue over the bit, leading to a respiratory noise, which may have contributed to his below-par performance. However, the trainer was quick to reassure fans that the colt has emerged from the race unscathed and is already showing positive signs.

“He’s really well actually, he’s come out of the race in good form,” Fanshawe said on Wednesday. “He came out of the race well and was back doing two canters this morning. He seems nice and bright.”

Reflecting on the race at York, Fanshawe acknowledged that Ambiente Friendly’s inability to relax early on was a key factor in his disappointing showing. “He was keen and didn’t relax and never really got into it,” he admitted.

Despite the setback, Ambiente Friendly’s connections have not lost faith in their talented charge. The colt holds several prestigious entries in upcoming races, including the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, and the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Fanshawe plans to consult with owners Bill and Tim Gredley before finalizing the colt’s next move. “Obviously we’ve got plenty of options, so we’ll just see how he is over the next few days and I’ll have a chat with Bill and Tim and see where we’re going,” he said.

As Ambiente Friendly continues his recovery, the racing world will be watching closely to see which path Fanshawe and the Gredley family choose for their promising colt. With a clean bill of health and plenty of options on the horizon, Ambiente Friendly may yet have the opportunity to redeem himself on the big stage.