Royal Ascot possible for Karakontie

A trip to Royal Ascot next summer could come under consideration for Karakontie after connections of the Breeders' Cup Mile hero confirmed he will stay in training as a four-year-old.

The French 2000 Guineas hero disappointed when bidding for a Classic double in the French Derby and endured a luckless run in last month's Prix de la Foret, but he came good in California as the only European-trained winner at the two-day meeting.

Jonathan Pease's colt now has all next year's top mile contests on his agenda.

Alan Cooper, racing manager for owners the Niarchos Family, said: "We knew he was going to America in very good condition, but obviously being drawn 14 of 14 was a bit of an unknown.

"He had a bit of a dip in form after the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby), but Jonathan got him back for Arc weekend, where unfortunately he was completely knocked out of the race in the Foret.

"He travelled well to California, he was given a great ride from Stephane Pasquier and it was a fantastic result.

"He'll stay in training next year and we'll be looking at all the top European mile races for him. I think the fast ground at Santa Anita was really to his liking, so we'll be hoping for a dry summer."

Asked about a potential trip to Royal Ascot for the Queen Anne Stakes in June, Cooper said: "It's a little too early to be making definite plans for him, but that does look like a good spot in the calendar."

Main Sequence also struck for the Niarchos Family in the Breeders' Cup Turf, with English-born but American-based trainer Graham Motion sending him out for a half-length verdict.

It was a fourth successive Grade One victory in the States for the five-year-old, who was formerly trained in Britain by David Lanigan and was runner-up behind Camelot in the 2012 Epsom Derby. He will now be prepared for a trip to the Dubai Carnival at Meydan.

"It has been well documented that David Lanigan and Graham Motion talked a lot about the horse and that has been instrumental in the success he has enjoyed," said Cooper.

"He's had a fantastic season and the idea is to put him away now with a view to going to Dubai for the Sheema Classic."

Asked whether Main Sequence could return to Europe to race next summer, Cooper said: "We haven't discussed that with Graham as yet. I think we'll see how we get on in the Sheema Classic and just take it one race at a time."