The three-year-old ASTAIRE by PROTECTIONIST made an excellent impression today in his first career outing in Dieppe, France, one that might have been expected given his great pedigree. Jockey Augustin Madement piloted the Waldemar Hickst-trained colt to a confident win in an allowance race over the staying distance of 3,000 metres. ASTAIRE remained nearly untouched by his partner when he prevailed over his rivals by two and a half lengths on soft going.
The colt is a full brother of the multiple Gr.1-placed Gr.2 winner AMAZING GRACE, who scored her first Group win in the USA last month. Like his sister, ASTAIRE races in the colours of his breeder, Dr. Christoph Berglar.
