Siberian Express (horse)

Siberian Express made his racecourse debut in a maiden race over 1200 metres at Deauville Racecourse in August 1983, and led from the start to win by six lengths. Later that month, he was moved up sharply in class to contest the Group one Prix Morny over the same course and distance in which he was matched against the Prix Robert Papin winner Masarika and the Windsor Castle Stakes winner Defecting Dancer. Starting at odds of 5.3/1 and ridden by Alfred Gibert, he made an exceptionally fast start and was never seriously challenged, winning by two lengths from Ti King. Following his victory he was highly praised in the French press, being jocularly compared to the new TGV high-speed train service.[4]

On 18 September Siberian Express started the 4/10 favourite for the Group One Prix de la Salamandre over 1400 metres on soft ground. He appeared poised to allay fears that he would be unsuited by the course as he led from the start and looked the certain winner entering the final 200 metres. In the closing stages, however, he tired badly and was caught and beaten half a length by the François Boutin-trained Seattle Song, a colt who went on to win the Washington, D.C.International. On his final appearance of the season, Siberian Express was sent to England to contest a strong renewal of the Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse. Starting the 4/1 third favourite and led for five furlong being overtaken and finished third, beaten half a length and six lengths by El Gran Senor and Rainbow Quest.[4]

For his three-year-old season, Siberian Express was transferred to the stable of André Fabre. On his debut as a three-year-old, he ran in the Prix de Fontainebleau over 1600 metres at Longchamp in April and finished tired in third place behind Mendez and Nikos. Over the same course and distance, but on much firmer ground, he started third favourite, behind Mendez and Rousillon for the Group One Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Looking impressive before the race, he tracked the pacemakers in the early stages before taking the lead entering the straight. He always looked likely to prevail and held off the challenges of Green Paradise (also trained by Fabre) and Mendez to win by three quarters of a length and a short neck. An unusual feature was that grey horses finished first second and third in a Group One race.[2]

Siberian Express did not reappear until August, when he was matched against older horses for the first time in the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville Racecourse. Racing on his favoured firm ground, he started favourite but finished third behind Lear Fan and Palace Music. In the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp in September, he again failed to show his best form on soft ground, finishing sith of the seven runners behind Mendez. After the Moulin, Fabre was reportedly asked to be become Fustok's private trainer. He declined the offer and Siberian Express was transferred to the stable of Roger Wojtowiez. The change brought no improvement as, on his final appearance of the season, he finished last of the ten runners behind Procida in the Prix de la Forêt in October.[2]

Siberian Express switched stables once again as a four-year-old, when he was trained by George Mikhalides. After finishing third on his seasonal debut he ran fifth, three lengths behind the filly Vilikaia in the Prix de la Porte Maillot over 1400 metres at Longchamp in June.[6]