Wimbledon Hawkeye poised for step up after Deauville success
George Scott is contemplating a bold move with Wimbledon Hawkeye after the four-year-old returned to winning form in France. The Kameko colt, who changed hands and trainers in July, took the Group Three Prix Gontaut-Biron at Deauville on only his second outing for his new yard and now finds himself under consideration for one of Ireland’s top autumn contests.
Targeting Leopardstown’s Irish Champion Stakes
The plan under active review is to supplement Wimbledon Hawkeye into the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September. Supplementary entries for that race carry a significant fee, but Scott believes the track and the timing could suit the horse as he progresses through his four-year-old season.
Connections acquired the colt from James Owen in early July and transferred him into Scott’s care for owners Victorious Forever. The Deauville success was an important step for the gelding’s new campaign and has prompted consideration of a move into pattern-level company at the top end of the calendar.
Assessment ahead of final decision
Any decision on supplementation will depend on the composition of the Irish Champion field closer to the race date. Scott intends to monitor declarations from the major players when the final fields take shape and use the late entry window to weigh up the risk and reward of paying the supplementary fee.
As well as Leopardstown, an alternative route has been left open. If the Irish contest appears particularly deep, the colt could instead be aimed at the Group Three Prix du Prince d’Orange at ParisLongchamp on 13 September, which would serve as a platform for a possible return to France on Arc weekend.
Why Leopardstown could suit
- Leopardstown’s undulating layout often rewards horses that can secure a favourable position in running, and the trainer feels Wimbledon Hawkeye has the tactical scope to do so.
- The step up to Group One company would represent a significant test, but the colt’s recent form indicates he is coming into good physical condition.
- Timing is seen as favourable: Scott expects the horse to reach peak form through the autumn months as a four-year-old.
Commercial and sporting considerations
Supplementing for the Irish Champion requires a substantial outlay — the late entry fee stands at €75,000 — and the decision brings both commercial and sporting implications. The cost is counterbalanced by the opportunity to find the right level of competition and to assess Wimbledon Hawkeye against the highest calibre of opposition.
Scott has indicated that the connections will use the full flexibility of the entry deadline, waiting until five or six days before the race to confirm whether to take the supplementary option. That window allows them to react to the way other trainers place their horses, notably those with strong Leopardstown contingents.
Next steps for the colt
For now, Wimbledon Hawkeye remains a horse on the move. The immediate plan will be decided after monitoring how the major autumn races shape up, with either a tilt at a top-level Irish contest or a return to France to prepare for a late-season target. Either route would provide a meaningful test for a horse that has recently shown a resurgence under new management.
Racegoers and those following the big autumn festivals will be watching connections’ next call closely, as the choice between supplementing for Leopardstown and aiming for ParisLongchamp carries distinct implications for the colt’s campaign and for the contests themselves.
