On Sunday, one of France’s best 3 year-olds will use the Prix Niel to prepare for his Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe bid. Unraced since mid-July, his return to competition has been long-awaited.

An extraordinary Kingman colt, Feed The Flame did not make his debut until the Prix Juigné in April of this year, but immediately made quite the impression, winning by 5.5 lengths. Just 18 days later, again at Longchamp, he imposed with ease once more.

Despite the colt’s inexperience, his team gave him the green light for the Prix du Jockey-Club, in which he finished fourth. Not entirely disappointing considering he was beaten by the phenomenal Ace Impact, the considerably more experienced Big Rock, and French Guineas winner, Marhaba Ya Sanafi.

While connections may have been, justifiably or not, dissatisfied with their colt’s performance, he more than made up for it on Bastille Day in the Grand Prix de Paris. Entrusted to Cristian Demuro for the occasion while regular partner, Christophe Soumillon, sat out a suspension, the Italian stayed patient at the rear of the 8-strong field until unleashing his colt in the latter stages, winning more comfortably than the one-length margin would suggest. Victorious in a Group 1 at his first attempt over 2400m, Feed The Flame is now unbeaten in three starts at the country’s showpiece track. 

Said trainer Pascal Bary of his colt, “He has grown, filled out more, and is a lot stronger…” Reunited with Soumillon this weekend in the 2400m, Gr.2 Prix Niel, Feed The Flame is expected to maintain his unbeaten Longchamp run, even though his ultimate objective is the Arc on 1st October.