By Sam Turner -
Kevin Philippart De Foy has again set his sights on Dubai this winter for stable star Vafortino.
The six-year-old, a creditable runner-up to Breege in the G2 City of York Stakes earlier this month, spent a successful winter in the Middle East last year, winning a Listed contest and finishing second in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort when beaten a length by Goldolphin’s Mysterious Night.
Philippart De Foy was thrilled to see his runner hold his own at the level at York and now plans to run him once more in Europe before setting his sights on Dubai again.
“We were delighted with his run at York, especially as I always think he’s better in slightly slower conditions,” he said.
“It was nearly a career-best from the horse, he kept finding, he is very tough and he took well to the step up in grade.
“We know the horse well enough now and we know we need to space his races, we are very pleased with him.
“He will either go for the Prix de la Foret (ParisLongchamp) and he’s entered in the Park Stakes (at Doncaster), I think we will decide when we get a bit closer.
“He will have one more run this season in England and then we will freshen him up for Dubai, he hasn’t had too busy a campaign in England with Dubai in mind, he did well last year so the plan is to go back over there.”
