Foudre fires away for Sands

It was a training feat of absolute note by Eric Sands, who had the exceptionally bred son of Fire Away, Foudre, ready to make a winning comeback to what he was born and bred to do. He had not raced since 31 January 2024, yet he was presented today looking as if he had run only a few weeks ago.

- WARREN LENFERNA

Golden Ducat

He is out of the champion mare Halfway To Heaven, making him a sibling to Golden Ducat, Hawwaam, and Rainbow Bridge. Sands trained all the siblings except for Hawwaam (he was the underbidder), who was trained by Mike de Kock.

It is no surprise that Foudre was sent to Sands, given his remarkable track record with the family—he even trained Halfway To Heaven herself. Retained rider for Khaya Stables, Craig Zackey, gave this handsome thoroughbred a perfectly judged ride, steering him past the line to score a convincing comeback victory. Zackey is in such good form that, if you look closely, there is smoke coming off his silks.

Fire Away