Antoine Griezmann suffers disappointment on his UK horse racing debut as Hooking finishes third behind Elegant Man – owned by super agent Kia Joorabchian – at Newcastle
Elegant Man put up an imperious display to make nearly every yard of the running in the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap at Newcastle.
A son of the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Dubai World Cup winner Arrogate, he is owned by super agent Kia Joorabchian and the King Power-owned Sun Racing.
There was plenty going against him, though, because as well as carrying top weight on just his fourth outing, he was drawn widest of all in stall 14.
David Egan, full of confidence having won the Lincoln in his new job for Amo Racing last week, was keen to get to the front and while he was briefly taken on by Blanchland, Elegant Man soon took command.
After the initial rush, Egan was able to control matters and having got a breather into his mount, visibly quickened the pace before the turn for home.
France star Antoine Griezmann made his horse racing debut as an owner in England on Friday
Hooking finished third in All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap at Newcastle
Elegant Man (L) put up an imperious display to make nearly every yard of the running
While that caught a few rivals on the hop, he then asked for a further effort well over two furlongs from home and as Penzance and Hooking, owned by footballer Antoine Griezmann, closed in, he looked vulnerable for a few strides.
It was to his credit that the 11-4 favourite saw out the trip strongly and won by a length and a half from Penzance, who ran a career-best himself.
Griezmann is a passionate supporter of horse racing and owns rising flat track star Hooking
Hooking was the first horse to join Griezmann’s portfolio and has so far banked the LaLiga striker over £275,000 in prize winnings from 39 career runs so far.
Victory in the upcoming Good Friday meeting at Gosforth Park would secure Griezmann a further £100,000, while punters could cash-in on the outsider priced at 14/1.
