St James's Palace Stakes: Vendome an unlikely starter

Toronado looks like being the Al Thani's representative in the St James's Palace

French 2,000 Guineas winner Style Vendome is "very unlikely" to run at Royal Ascot later this month after being bought by leading owner Sheikh Joann Al Thani...

Trainer Nicolas Clement mentioned Ascot's St James's Palace Stakes as an option after his three-year-old grabbed Classic glory at Longchamp last month, beating Sunday's French Derby winner Intello into third.

However, with Richard Hannon's Newmarket Guineas fourth Toronado set to represent Al Thani in the same Ascot contest, Style Vendome is set to stay at home.

The Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly on June 30 is his most likely next port of call.

Clement said: "I can confirm Sheikh Joann Al Thani is the new owner of Style Vendome. I am very happy with the horse and the form of French 2,000 Guineas win looks very good after the French Derby last weekend, of course.

"Style Vendome is very unlikely to run in the St James's Palace Stakes, unless Toronado does not run there. The plan is to go for the Prix Jean Prat on June 30 and then on to the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville."

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