Bay City Roller will bypass the William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park and instead race in the Prix Foy at Longchamp on Sunday, marking a change in plans for the four-year-old colt ahead of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Trained by George Scott, Bay City Roller had originally been entered for the Group 3 event at Kempton on Saturday but was withdrawn due to concerns about potentially unsuitable fast ground conditions at Sunbury, Longchamp’s adjacent racecourse where the September Stakes is staged.
The decision to switch to the Group 2 Prix Foy, a key trial for the Arc, comes as Bay City Roller’s connections prefer good ground for optimal preparation. Billy Jackson-Stops, racing manager for the horse’s Bahraini ownership group Victorious Forever, noted that the anticipated temperature of around 28°C raised concerns about the surface drying to ‘good to firm’ conditions, which would not be ideal for the colt. However, recent rain and watering efforts at Longchamp are expected to produce more favorable good ground. Jackson-Stops described the timing of the Prix Foy, held four weekends before the Arc, as “really good” for conditioning.
Scott also expressed confidence in Bay City Roller’s condition ahead of the Prix Foy, stating that it was a straightforward decision given the race’s suitability as preparation. The dual Group 1 winner, who secured a 10-length victory in the Coronation Cup on Epsom Derby Day, entered the Prix Foy rated 4-1 to perform strongly. Scott emphasized that while Bay City Roller is in excellent shape, the colt will peak for the Arc’s first weekend in October.
The Prix Foy is headlined by last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, Daryz, who is favored at 1-4. Daryz’s first start since finishing third in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in June has generated considerable interest, with connections aiming to use the Prix Foy as a stepping stone toward another Arc title. Jackson-Stops shared that the trainer is optimistic and views this run as valuable experience ahead of their primary goal.
In related racing news, Towcester racecourse in Northamptonshire is set to return to the racing calendar on October 20 next year after nearly a decade-long hiatus. The venue, which last hosted a meeting in May 2018, has secured six fixtures for the next National Hunt season. Richard Thomas, chief executive of Towcester’s management company Orchestrate, described the return as an exciting development for the local racing community.