Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain recorded his first stakes-winner when smart two-year-old colt Misunderstood produced a dominant performance to land the Gr.3 Prix des Chenes (1600m) at Longchamp yesterday.
Trained by Mario Baratti and ridden by Alexis Pouchin, Misunderstood was having just his second start after making a winning debut at Deauville over 1500m in July.
Misunderstood lead throughout and forged clear of his rivals to win by an impressive four and a half lengths.
“He has a tendency to be keen and we don’t have much choice but to let him bowl along in front at a good pace,” Baratti said.
“This is also why he carries a hood. He kept finding and drew away nicely, proving that he is probably a very good horse.”
The Gr.1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (1400m) is an option, but Baratti is keen to take a patient approach.
“Personally, I would like to wait for next year as he gives a lot in his races and I don’t want to give him one race too many this year,” he said.
Misunderstood runs for a partnership that includes Haras D’Etreham, who stand Hello Youmzain in France.
He is a half-brother to the stakes winners Waldbeine and Urwald with their dam the Observatory mare Waldjagd, whose half-brother Waldpark won the Gr.1 German Derby (2400m) with four-time elite level winner Waldgeist another decorated member of the family.
A dual Group One winning sprinter by Kodiac, Hello Youmzain has sired nine first crop winners to date in the Northern Hemisphere that include Group Two Royal Ascot placegetter Electrolyte.
Hello Youmzain stands for $30,000 plus GST at Cambridge Stud this season, with his eldest crop having recently turned two.