oo Darn Hot has returned to the winners’ enclosure with an emphatic success in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville on Sunday.
Last year’s champion juvenile had endured a frustrating campaign to date but bounced back in style under Frankie Dettori.
He raced in the far side group for much of the contest before showing his customary turn of foot to put the race to bed with two furlongs to run.
Ending up close to the near side, he powered clear to beat Space Blues by three lengths.
Trainer John Gosden said: “We’ve finally got him over the correct trip – seven furlongs.
“An easy, flat mile would be no problem – just stop running over an extended mile and a quarter and stiff miles. He was a very fast two-year-old, the champion, he’s proved what he can do. This is very quick ground, but he’s handled it well.
“We’re thrilled with him. He’s a beautiful colt, very quick – it’s what you want for stallion purposes – but we stupidly tried to stretch him out. He did have an interrupted preparation, though.”
Dettori added: “It felt great and I’m pleased for the horse. He travelled great, put the race to bed good and showed his old turn of foot.
“Hopefully this race will give him confidence and there’s more to come.
“He’s very fast, it’s well documented nothing has gone right for him, this was a better track for him.
“He’s won a Group One as a three-year-old, so I’m delighted.”
Watership Down Stud-bred Too Darn Hot is by Dubawi out of multiple Group 1 winner Dar Re Mi. He has now won five times, twice at the top level.
