Sea The Moon’s reputation took a huge hit at Baden Baden Racecourse after the former favourite for next month’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was eclipsed by Ivanhowe in the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Baden on Sunday.
Sea The Moon tried to set the pace for the entire 2,400 metres under Cristian Demuro but had no answer in the final 300 metres as Filip Minarik urged his mount past en route to victory.
Sea The Moon proved to be a difficult ride in his three previous runs this season, including during an impressive win in the German Derby in early July, when he was awash in sweat heading into the starting gate.
He was keen as soon as the gates opened yesterday, too, but in contrast, Minarik anchored Ivanhowe at the rear alongside Night Wish, who also came with a late run to secure third.
Before the race, Markus Klug, Sea The Moon’s trainer, said that his charge was only around 90 per cent fit, having not run in the 63 days since his German Derby win.
“I’m not disappointed and he didn’t lose anything in defeat,” Klug told the Press Association.
Ivanhowe had not run for 98 days since finishing sixth in a Group 2 in June, and the two horses will now be prepared to clash in Paris in four weeks in the Arc event.
Sea The Moon’s defeat strengthened the hand of Treve, last year’s Arc winner, as well as Avenir Certain, the Prix de Diane winner, and Taghrooda, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s filly, all of whom remain on course for Longchamp.
Over in Turkey, Dubai owners secured a one-two in the Group 2 International Topkapi Trophy, when Ahmad Al Shaikh’s Glory Awaits defeated Abdullah Al Mansoori’s Our Channel.
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