Andre Fabre bids to eclipse rivals as 30-time champion French trainer eyes victory in midsummer race at Sandown

Andre Fabre is one of the world’s greatest trainers and it is always significant when the man who has been champion in France 30 times targets a prize in England.

Fabre’s CV is extraordinary. He has won all five British Classics, not to mention a host of prizes at Royal Ascot and beyond. One major contest, however, has been out of his grasp but that could all change at Sandown on Saturday.

The Coral-Eclipse is a highlight of midsummer. This is the 50th year the bookmakers have sponsored the Group One, won by equine stars such as City Of Troy and Sea The Stars. If Fabre has his way, Sosie — a progressive four-year-old whose ultimate aim is the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe — will rectify the anomaly and ensure the prize goes back to France.

Sosie is second favourite behind Ombudsman, who was electrifying last month when winning the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, and Fabre believes conditions at Sandown will be ideal for the colt. ‘I prefer to run him on good summer ground,’ he said.

‘Older horses do improve in terms of strengthening up, but it doesn’t mean they’re much better. The ability is the same. The opposition is strong and if he’s in the first three I’ll be delighted.’

Maybe Fabre is being a little coy, given that only six runners head to post, but the quality is outstanding. Aside from Ombudsman, Godolphin will also be represented by 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court.

‘We’ve always wanted to step him up in trip, and a mile and a quarter is probably ideal,’ said trainer Charlie Appleby. ‘He has a significant weight pull against the older horses.’