Victor Ludorum back with a bang in France

Son of Shamardal easily wins the G3 Prix Messidor; new winner for Ribchester

Victor Ludorum, a four-year-old son of Shamardal, landed his first race of the campaign when easily taking the G3 Prix Messidor. Run over a mile at Chantilly, he tracked the early leader, and always travelling comfortably, was not extended to win by three lengths.

An unbeaten juvenile when landing the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, Victor Ludorum trained on to win the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains on his fifth start, before a close third in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club when receiving an unfavourable trip.

Victor Ludorum’s next likely race will be the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois, over the same course and distance as his Poulains victory.

Victor Ludorum hails from the high-class family that includes top sires Street Cry, Shamardal and Territories. Out of the Stakes-placed Antiquities, he is in-bred three-by-three to top broodmare Helen Street.

First-season sire Ribchester sired a new winner at Redcar when his son Exminster impressed on his debut when winning by half-a-length. A £22,000 yearling and bred by Belmont and Glenville Bloodstock, he travelled well throughout the contest and won with something to spare for trainer Ed Bethell.

Champion miler Ribchester has now sired five individual winners, all of whom are either highly rated or unbeaten.