Andre Fabre is following through on a long-term plan to send the versatile Sosie for a crack at the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin, which the legendary French trainer regards as one of the best racecourses in the world.

Last December, Sosie gave Fabre a fourth win in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) and an 80th birthday present when he outstayed Giavellotto and Goliath to round off a successful year marked by three Group 1 wins.

The son of Sea The Stars also finished third to Daryz and Minnie Hauk in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) at ParisLongchamp in October, underlining his consistency and durability at the elite level.

Fabre, 30-time French champion and the trainer of eight Arc winners, acknowledges the impressive record of Hong Kong colossus Romantic Warrior, whom Sosie will be going up against, along with Masquerade Ball and Royal Champion on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, 26 April).

But he also reveals the mindset of the brothers Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, third-generation owner-breeders.

“Romantic Warrior is a super horse. But Sosie is training well and he should run well. It’s his first run of the year and the race is pretty tough. In terms of ratings, we have the fourth (highest) chance, but Sosie adapted well to the course (in the Hong Kong Vase) last time.

“Maxime Guyon (his jockey) was keen to ride him despite there being a good meeting at Longchamp the same day. We’re happy to compete. The Wertheimer brothers, they like a challenge.”

Fabre believes that Sosie’s optimum trip is 2400m, yet the five-year-old’s versatility saw him win both the G1 Prix Ganay (2100m) and the G1 Prix d’Ispahan (1850m) last year. There is another good reason why the FWD QEII Cup has been selected as his starting point this season.

“We ran him in the (G1) Eclipse (Stakes, 2000m) at Sandown in July, but the strategy didn’t work out. He was left in front and he didn’t like it (finishing last of six runners). I’d rather him in behind. He likes a good, strong pace because basically he’s a mile and a half horse.

“We’re starting him in the QEII because we’re sure to get a good pace. After this, we’ll give him a break and probably go for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1, 2400m) at Ascot in July.”

The trainer has not ruled out Sosie having a third attempt at the Arc – he was fourth in 2024 and third in 2025 – though that is a long way off. “It’s a possibility. These horses don’t have that many possible races. They have to go for Group 1s. The owners like to run, to expose their horses. They like the competition.

“He could have been (retired as) a stallion. But it’s more fun to run than going to the farm for breeding.”

Fabre has been competing in Hong Kong for over 25 years and intends to return in future. “I think Sha Tin is one of the best courses in the world. The design, the surface, the grass. Everything is perfect. And the stabling has been well-designed. Simple but comfortable.

“We’ve been so well treated and received by everybody in Hong Kong, it adds to the pleasure to go there,” he added.

By Jim McGrath

Photo: HKJC