Ambiente Friendly Set for Crucial Prix Niel Test at ParisLongchamp

James Fanshawe’s promising colt, Ambiente Friendly, is gearing up for a significant challenge as he prepares to take on the Prix Niel at ParisLongchamp on September 15. The three-year-old Gleneagles colt, who caught the racing world’s attention with his runner-up finish in the Derby, will be aiming to make a strong impression in what is traditionally one of the key trials for the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

The Prix Niel has a storied history, with past winners including racing legends like Montjeu, Sinndar, and Hurricane Run. For Ambiente Friendly, a victory in this race would not only enhance his credentials for the Arc but also solidify his standing among the elite of his generation.

Since his commendable performance at Epsom, Ambiente Friendly has shown flashes of his potential but has yet to secure another win. He followed up his Derby effort with a solid third-place finish in the Irish Derby but disappointed in the Juddmonte International at York, where he failed to perform to expectations. This upcoming race at ParisLongchamp presents a pivotal opportunity for the colt to prove his mettle on the international stage.

In a strategic move, Fanshawe and the Gredley family, who own Ambiente Friendly, have enlisted the services of Christophe Soumillon, one of the most experienced jockeys on the French racing circuit, to take the reins in the Prix Niel. Soumillon, a two-time winner of the Arc, last claimed victory in the Niel in 2006 aboard Rail Link, a horse trained by Andre Fabre, which went on to win the Arc later that year.

“That's the plan – all being well, he goes for the Niel, and Christophe Soumillon has been booked,” Fanshawe confirmed. “He seems really well.”

Soumillon’s deep knowledge of ParisLongchamp and his experience in high-pressure races will be invaluable as Ambiente Friendly steps into the spotlight once again. The decision to bring in Soumillon suggests that the team behind the colt is leaving no stone unturned as they aim for success in this crucial Arc trial.

For Ambiente Friendly, the Prix Niel represents not just another race but a critical test that could define the trajectory of his season. A strong performance would set him up perfectly for a potential tilt at the Arc, the pinnacle of European flat racing. As the countdown to September 15 continues, all eyes will be on ParisLongchamp to see if this Derby runner-up can rise to the occasion and stake his claim as a leading contender for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.