Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere targeted as The Wow Factor triumphs in France

Connections intend to run the two-year-old Royal 
Ascot winner in the prestigious Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere in early October.

It comes after the horse’s emphatic win in Deauville’s Prix Morny yesterday saw Malton-based Quinn join an elite list of trainers, headed by Aidan O’Brien, to have saddled Group One winners under both codes of racing (the now retired Countrywide Flame was a two-time winner over hurdles at the highest level).

Connections can also hope that The Wow Signal will develop into a serious 2000 Guineas contender next season after handling heavy going during the six-furlong Prix Morny – a win that provided Frankie Dettori with one of his most significant wins of the 2014 season.

Quinn’s son Sean, who spotted the horse’s potential at the sales, said: “He looked better the further he went and Dad was adamant after the Coventry he was a horse who wants further. He’s out of a High Chaparral mare and I see no reason why he won’t stay a mile. He’ll certainly step up in trip on his next start.”

The Wow Signal is owned by Al Shaqab Racing, whose racing manager Harry Herbert said: “It became a real slog, but he’s such a tough horse he battled it out and it’s a terrific training performance by John Quinn.

“We’ll look to move him up to seven furlongs now. I think it is probably more likely we’ll aim at the big two-year-old race at Longchamp on Arc day, the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, which is sponsored by Qatar. This is a first two-year-old Group One winner for Al Shaqab Racing... he’s clearly a very exciting horse.”

Jamie Osborne said that UAE Derby winner Toast Of New York had produced a 
career-best display when second to potential superstar Shared Belief in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

The three-year-old colt got to within two and three-quarters of a length of the winner to justify the decision of connections to return to America.

“The Dubai World Cup is obviously a massive target for next year,” said Hull-born Osborne, who grew up near Wetherby.