Varian excited for next season with Saddadd
Despite finishing down the field in the Arc it was still a successful year.
Roger Varian will look to the future with Saddadd after confirming his Group One star will not run again this season.
The four-year-old has shown his worth against the middle distance-performers around this term, running with credit in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and Coral-Eclipse before striking gold at the highest level in the Grosser Preis von Baden in Germany.
On paper his most recent performance in finishing 15th of 16 in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was disappointing, but Varian is far from despondent.
“He ran well and the race wasn’t run to suit,” said the Carlburg Stables handler. “There was seven lengths between first and 16th, Saddadd was 15th, six and a half lengths behind Daryz. As you go down the field the distances were shorter and shorter.
“He doesn’t have great gate speed and from stall nine I thought he got as good a position as he could have. He was sat mid-division with Kalpana inside of him and following Maltese Cross and I thought that was as good as we could hope for.
“They’ve steadied and the challengers came on the outside and through no fault of his own he has found himself further back than his initial position.
“They sprinted as soon as they straightened off the false straight and he took a while to get going and then crossed the line just about hitting his straps, but the trouble was the race was over.
“For me it wasn’t a disappointment. We were asking him a big question and I thought he ran well. We watch most Arcs where there is a furlong between first and last and one run like that might have suited him. Seven lengths separating the field isn’t really his gig but he didn’t disgrace himself.”
Varian feels he will have ample opportunity to see Saddadd enhance his reputation at the highest level next term, while also praising Francis-Henri Graffard’s dual Arc hero Daryz, who has since bowed out after successfully defending his crown in Europe’s richest middle-distance contest.
“That will be him done for the year,” continued Varian. “He can only improve with age and he stays well. Ray (Dawson) got off him at Longchamp and even said you could try going one-mile-six with him.
“He’s a very relaxed, laidback horse who can shut down in a race and respond to pressure. This year’s Arc didn’t suit him and it probably shows you how good the winner is that he was able to pick up so well off a medium gallop when not many did. You have to take your hat off to the winner.”