“I think that he is a true good ground horse. We will hurry to find him another entry before the ground softens too much” confided Guillaume Macaire after the success of his charge Still Loving You (AQPS-Poliglote) in the €70,000 Prix Gelas Chase (4yos-4,300m). On this good ground the mount of James Reveley maintained his unbeaten record over the fences of Auteuil. Held up, he made up ground gradually before challenging Queen Maresca (Maresca Sorrento) who looked the winner between the last two fences. Queen Maresca eventually finished second two lengths behind the winner and a two and a half lengths ahead of soft ground specialist Saint Macaire (Saint des Saints).
Still Loving You is the third offspring out of Moulouya (Turgeon), a talented mare who won the Prix Glorieuse. He was bought back at the Arqana July Sales in 2008 for €22,000 (click here for catalogue page).
Platanes – Crios keeps up good work
Crios (Canyon Creek) was the top 3 year old over hurdles at Auteuil in the spring and he conserved his title on his first run of the autumn in the €65,000 Prix des Platanes Hurdle (3yo Males-3,600m). “We will try to come up with a programme for him to arrive at the Prix Cambacérès (Gr1)”, declared winning trainer François-Xavier de Chevigny. “He has previously run well at Enghien so that is a possibility but we will attempt to avoid too tough competition.” Quickly away as is his tendency, Crios fought off attacks from Indian Tiger (Califet) and Grand Charly (Le Tritonon) the flat to win by two and a half lengths. “He is very calm and ahas matured a lot”, added his trainer, “He was as professional as ever with his ears pricked throughout. He was not 100% fit today.” Crios now has 4 victories from 5 starts, including one Listed success.
When we Brits use the word 'coup' it is almost exclusively to denote a notable achievement whereas the accurate translation, I'm led to believe, is "death-blow".
Well, little-known Tweenhills Stud, estab 18 years ago in Gloucestershire, UK, who have recently suffered body blows with the deaths of their stallions Ishiguru and Lucky Story, have achieved a real coup. They have whisked Mikel Delzangles' Newmarket Two Thousand Guineas winner Makfi from under the noses of the heavy hitters of Coolmore and Darley. Makfi is the most desirable of all young stallions on offer being by the ultra-fashionable Dubawi to add to his racecourse achievements. Makfi alone, in defeating Goldikova and Paco Boy in the Marois, recorded a victory this season as everlasting as Harbinger's King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.Though Tweenhills currently house Sleeping Indian and TradeFair, their only Group One winner has been a Cheltenham (also in Gloucestershire) hurdle heroine, Lady Rebecca. The enormous sum Makfi cost (speculation is that the price approached £10m) has been paid by businessmen from Qatar not necessarily associated with the sponsors from that Gulf country of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. It was expected the tryst for Makfi would involve wooing from Coolmore, Darley or Japan. But the Japanese plumped for Harbinger. Had the Maktoums felt obliged to buy back for many millions a horse they had sold for 25,000gns, such a deal would have involved an awful loss of face - izzat - the worst indignity Arabs can suffer.
What actually happened was that a British company, Quintessentially, who introduce select clients to juicy opportunities for gratification, were fortunate enough to have an employee related to Tweenhills when the Qataris landed in London. Call it luck, serendipity, heureux but Tweenhills should certainly be in the money with Makfi.
Wednesday 1st September 2010, Longchamp (www.jourdegalop.com) After her second place in the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) and a fourth place in the Prix de Diane (Gr1), André Fabre’s charge Deluxe (Storm Cat) won her Listed in the €55,000 Prix de Liancourt(L-3yo Fillies-2,100m). According to her trainer she will now be aimed at the Prix de l’Opéra (Gr1) where she will attempt to follow in the footsteps of Shalanaya (Lando), who achieved the "Liancourt-Opéra" double last year. Deluxe needed this race as she blew heavily on her return to the winner’s enclosure. Winning jockey Maxime Guyon confided: “She was a little fresh today. But I was pleased with her as, even though she lacked condition, she battled hard in the straight.”
Quickly away, Deluxe settled in the second part of the field, on the heels of Valasyra (Sinndar). She then accelerated in the straight to challenge the Aga Khan filly and after a bravely fought battle passed the line, with her ears pointed, a head in front of her rival. Quite a distance behind during the race, Homepage (Dansili) made up ground along the rail to take a pleasant third place a further length and a half behind.
Bred by Juddmonte, Deluxe is the eighth produce out of Hasili, who finished second in the Prix Imprudence (Listed at the time) in 1994 when trained by Henri-Alex Pantall. From her eight offspring, seven are winners and six of these are Group 1 winners. Five of those winners are by Danehill (Danzig): Dansili, Banks Hill, Champs Elysées, Intercontinental and Cacique, while Heat Haze is a daughter of GreenDesert(Danzig).
Cochere – Liliside returns to Longchamp
On her only previous start at Longchamp, Liliside (American Post) had passed the post first in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr1) only to be demoted by the stewards. On Wednesday she made a winning return to the Parisian track in the €55,000 Prix de la Cochère(L-3yo Fillies-1,600m). Lilliside has been absent from the track since her unlucky run in the Prix de Sandringham (Gr2), since which she has changed ownership from Anthony Forde to Katsumi Yoshida, but remained in training with Francois Rohaut. After pulling hard early on before settling at the front of the field, she encountered no opposition in the finish to win by a length pulling up. Liliside may now go for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (Gr1), where she could come up against another French filly inZagora (Green Tune).
Tuesday 31st August 2010, Deauville. (www.jourdegalop.com) Josephines Baby (Great Pretender)looks like she may become a specialist of the fibresand at Deauville. Luis Urbano-Grajales’ has never finished further than second place in four starts on this surface. On Tuesday she achieved her second success in the €24,000 Prix de Tracy(3yos-2,400m Fibresand). “She is a true horse for the fibresand, explained the winning trainer. “She is not the same horse on the grass. We will now wait for another race on the fibresand, maybe in October.”
It is difficult tofind many well-known names in the pedigree of Josephines Baby. Her dam, Reine Joséphine (Loup Solitaire), never ran, and Josephines Baby is her best produce. She was bought for €3,500 at the Osarus Sales in La Teste in October 2008 by Luis Urbano-Grajales.
Isigny – Mon P’tit Cheri opens record on third start
“He came into training very late”, explained Jacques Rossi on the subject of his representative Mon P’tit Chéri (Sagacity), who had just opened his record in the €24,000 Prix d’Isigny(3yo Maiden-1,900m). “He only arrived in my yard in the March of his 3 year old career.” Held up, Mon P’tit Chéri came late to snatch victory on the line. This was only his third start having seventh on both of his previous starts.
Mon P’tit Chéri is a half brother of Schomir (Munir), a four time winner from 51 starts. Their dam Scholar (Sillery) was also trained by Jacques Rossi, for whom she won 5 races.
Val de Reuil – Three on the trot for Kameruka
The €26,000 Prix du Val de Reuil(4yos-1,500m fibresand) was won by the in form Kameruka (Auction House). Trained by Rupert Pritchard-Gordon, she won comfortably to achieve her third success in a row. “She is a mare that is at her best in the summer” declared her trainer after the race. “That is why we ran her here even though I don’t tend to like running my horses every 2 weeks. But she was in form so we took a chance. I am tempted to run her in a fillies Listed race in Germany.”
Back in second place Easterland (Starborough) showed a true return to form as did third placed Entre Deux Eaux (Ange Gabriel), who previously finished third in the German 1000 Guineas in
Monday 30th August 2010, Deauville (www.jourdegalop.com) On the 10th August, the Prix de Crèvecoeur brought French Navy (Shamardal) and Salto (Pivotal) to our attention. These two colts found each other once again on Monday in the €34,000 Prix de Saon(2yo Males-1,600m) and reconfirmed the positive impression that they gave on their first starts. André Fabre’s charge once again dominated Salto, this time by one and a half lengths. He was giving three kilos to his rival and without any stress he took the lead in the straight to go on to his second success in as many starts. After the race, winning jockey Maxime Guyon said “He won even easier today than on his first start, due to the fact that he was more professional in his attitude; I didn’t even have to ask him for an effort. He is one of the best 2 year olds that I have ridden this year.”
Trainer of second placed Salto, Freddy Head, commented “For the moment he is good over 1,600m and we will see in the future about extending the trip. He is one of my best 2 year olds in the yard.”Chopsoave (Soave) passed a test at Deauville in this race when taking third place just a head behind.
French Navy is out of First Fleet (Woodman), winner of the Coupe des Pouliches à Marseille (L – 2,000m).
Blay – Camelia Rose impresses
A decent winner of her maiden at Clairefontaine, Camélia Rose (Oratorio) ran rings around all of her rivals in the €34,000 Prix de Blay(2yo Fillies-1,600m). Visibly under the spell of his filly, Jean-Claude Rouget, announced: “Coming round the last bend I could tell that she was head and shoulders above the rest. She didn’t get a good start but she won easily. She gets better with every race and she will no doubt run once more as a 2 year old before being prepared for her 2 year old career.” Camélia Rose is most notably entered in the Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1), on the 3rd October at Longchamp.
Thursday 26th August 2010, Deauville. (www.jourdegalop.com) Venomous (Red Ransom) made a winning debut in what was only the second edition of the €24,000 Prix de Montaigu(Unraced 2yo Males-1,500m), won last year by Lope de Vega (Shamardal) who then went on to success in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Gr1) and the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1). Tony Clout’s charge doesn’t appear to have the same quality as last year’s winner but he won with authority nonetheless. “He ran like he works in the mornings”, announced the winning trainer, “He took his time to get into his stride but accelerated gradually. He has worked well with Pascal Bary’s 2 year olds.” A little keen early on, Venomous sat on the heels of Kingston Tiger (Tiger Hill) before making his move up the centre of the track to win easily by one and a half lengths. Two lengths behind in second, Kingston Tiger produced a decent run in the straight without jockey Ioritz Mendizabal being too hard on him. He looks to be one who will come on for this run as is also the case with third placed Funon (Cape Cross).
Bred by St Clare Hall Stud, Venomous is a nephew of Eilean Shona (Suave Dancer), a Listed winner over 3,200m at Newmarket. His dam, Snake Dancer (Golden Snake) won two big handicaps including the Prix des Belles Filles at Longchamp. Venomous is her second produce and first winner. He was purchased for €55,000 at the Arqana Yearling Sales in October 2009(click here for catalogue page).
Reboursiere – Rosehill Dew one for the future
The connections of Rosehill Dew (Danehill Dancer) were no doubt pleasantly surprised with her success in the €24,000 Prix de la Reboursière(Unraced 2yo Fillies-1,500m) on her first start. This good looking well-built filly proved herself courageous when getting the better of Riquita (High Chaparral) in the last hundred metres of the race. Riquita had gone two lengths clear of the rest of the field but Rosehill Dew drew her back in to win by a length.
“Once I turned into the straight I had a feeling that we were going to win
”, announced winning jockey Fabrice Véron. “When she got her head in front she eased off a little but with one smack of the whip down the shoulder she picked up again. Mr. Pantall had told me to be easy on her and think of the future so that she would gain experience.” Well placed in the heels of the leaders, Rosehill Dew put in a long acceleration in the straight giving the impression that she could stay more than 1,600m as a 3 year old. She is a filly that will be interesting to see again in the autumn as she didn’t appear to be hindered by the softer ground at Deauville on Thursday. From the family of Urban Sea (Miswaki) and sister of Tamayuz (Nayef), Naahedh (Medicean) was slowly away at the start and very keen on the far side. However, Freddy Head’s filly made one of the best impressions in the race when finishing strongly to take a well deserved sixth place.
Rosehill Dew is a niece of Highdown (Selkirk), winner of the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (Gr2) and placed second in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Gr1). She is owned and bred by Eimear Mulhern, chairwoman of Goffs and owner of Meadowcourt Stud in Ireland, and is the first foal of her dam who never ran.
Huisne – Four on the bounce for Ephemere
Baron Édouard de Rothschild’s Éphémère (Sèvres Rose) won his fourth race in a row when successful in the €34,000 Prix de l’Huisne(3yo Males-1,500m Fibresand). Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget he went straight to the front, as his manner, and held off all further attacks in the straight to win by 2 lengths for his first run on the fibresand. It was a one-two for Rouget as Skates (Verglas) finished a decent second, without every troubling the winner.
Bred by Écurie de Meautry, Ephémère is out of Circassienne (Spinning World), a winner at Compiègne, who has bred two winners from three runners.
Sarthe – Peinted Song follows Ephemere, again
Jean-Claude Rouget was successful once again on the card, this time in the €34,000 Prix de la Sarthe(3yo Fillies-1,500m Fibresand), with Peinted Song (Unbridled’s Song). Funnily this filly and Ephémère both won on the same day once before, on the 4th of August at La Teste.
Bred by Finsbury Bloodstock Limited, Peinted Song is a niece of Peintre Célèbre (Nureyev) and therefore also of Pointilliste (Giant’s Causeway), winner of the Prix de Barbeville (Gr3), and Peinture Rare (Sadler’s Wells), second in the Prix de Royallieu (Gr2).
Tuesday 24th August 2010, Clairefontaine(www.jourdegalop.com) Bubble Chic (Chichicastenango) opened his record when winning the €24,000 Prix des Herbages (2yo Males Maiden-1,600m), proving more serious than on his two previous starts. Winning jockey Stéphane Pasquier said afterwards: “Last time out, at Deauville, I held him up behind and he showed a bit of character. Along with his trainer, Mr Botti, we thought he would be better when ridden in front. I was pleasantly surprised by his behaviour and if he continues like that he could be a very nice horse.”
Two lengths behind the winner in second place was Parigino (Panis) with Rageur (Iffraaj) a further short neck behind in third place.
Bubble Chic was bought by Alessandro Botti, the son on trainer Gisueppe, at the Arqana February Mixed Sales this year for €33,000 (click here for catalogue page). The dam of Bubble Chic never won and this is her first winner.
Paturages – Gorgeous and impressive to boot
Gorgeous Sixty (Touch of the Blues) confirmed her promising third place, behind the highly estimated Torentosa (Oasis Dream), on her first run when winning the €24,000 Prix des Pâturages(2yo Fillies Maiden-1,600m) on her second start. Yannick Fouin, her trainer, said after the race;
“She was a bit cold today but once she was in her stride she battled well. She is a filly with a long acceleration who needs plenty of time to get into her stride. She battled against a filly with more experience than her and she won, I am really very happy.”
Gorgeous Sixty beat Purple Davis (Aussie Rules), who has already run four times, by a short neck. A length behind them was the full sister to Natagora (Divine Light), Malegganda, who made a real impression in the finish despite being boxed him behind the pair.
Yannick Fouin bought the winning filly for the modest sum of €9,000 at the Arqana Yearling Sales last October (click here for catalogue page).
Sunday 22nd August 2010, Deauville (www.jourdegalop.com) Once Jean-Claude Rouget was over the moon with the success of his talented charge Stacelita (Monsun), when winning her fourth Gr1, in the €250,000 Prix Jean Romanet(Gr1-4yo+ Fillies-2,000m) He announced afterwards “We took a big risk in going to Goodwood because the Nassau Stakes (Gr1) and the "Jean Romanet" are only 3 weeks apart and I prefer that my horses have a proper break between races.She will now head for the EP Taylor Stakes (Gr1) in Canada as we prefer the track at Woodbine than the one at Churchill Downs. She could then head to Hong Kong.” The plan has changed for Martin Schwartz’s who was initially destined for the Prix de l’Opéra (Gr1) before an attempt at the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (Gr1). Winning jockey Christophe Soumillon received a 2 day ban for overuse of the whip.
Antara, who had finished just over a length behind Stacelita in the Nassau Stakes, was only a head behind Jean-Claude Rouget’s charge in this Group 1. She is also a possibility for the EP Taylor Stakes. Board Meeting (Anabaa) finished a further length behind in third place.
Bred by Jean-Pierre Dubois, Stacelita is out of Soignée (Dashing Blade), a Listed winner in Germany as a 2 year old before taking third place in the Prix des Réservoirs (Gr3). Stacelita, her first product, is followed by Sandy Girl (Footstepsinthesand), a 3 year old filly who has won 3 times, then by the 2 year old Suertez, (Shamardal) also trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, and finally by a yearling by Aragorn.
Kergorlay – Next stop Melbourne Cup
Américain (Dynaformer) and Manighar (Linamix) have a lot in common, both won Group races in France last year, the former for Wertheimer and the latter for the Aga Khan, and they finished first and second, separated only by a short neck, in the €130,000 Darley Prix Kergorlay(Gr2-3yo+ - 3,000m) on their way to Australia to participate in the Melbourne Cup (Gr1) on November 2nd. Américain was successful on Sunday and his trainer Alain de Royer Dupré explained afterwards; “He will now spend 2 weeks in England followed by 3 weeks in quarantine in Australia before the Melbourne Cup.”Blek (Chichicastenango) finished a further 2 and a half lengths behind in third place.
Sunday 22nd August 2010, Deauville (www.jourdegalop.com) Once again it was a British raider that won the €350,000 Darley Prix Morny(Gr1-2yos-1,200m) but not the one that everybody expected. Dream Ahead (Diktat) annihilated the opposition on only his second start, something which was last achieved in 1998 by Orpen, and gave his trainer, David Simcock, his first Group 1 winner. “We weren’t sure whether to run him here” confided the winning trainer. “We hesitated about the Acomb Stakes (Gr3) at York, but we thought that the ground would be softer here at Deauville. He is a horse that needs soft ground. He will now go for the Middle Park Stakes (Gr1), then probably the Dewhurst Stakes (Gr1). I think that he will be even better over 1,400m or even further.” Physically impressive, Dream Ahead accelerated with ease in the finish, with long strides rarely seen among horses over this distance, to win by a length and a half from Tin Horse (Sakhee) with Pontenuovo (Green Tune), a further neck behind in third. Trainer Yves de Nicolay announced that Pontenuovo will now be aimed for the Cheveley Park Stakes (Gr1). Broox (Xaar) finished a length behind, with Irish Field (Dubawi), winner of the Prix Robert Papin (Gr2), a further 2 lengths back in fifth place.
Dream Ahead
was ridden by William Buick, for whom it was a fourth Group 1 win after winning the Arlington Million (Gr1) the evening before with Debussy (Diesis). “I have had an amazing weekend” announced the young jockey, “I won two Group 1s and also to have my first win in France in the “Morny” is incredible! Hats off to David Simcock, who took a chance in running the horse here. The horse really impressed me, he has a lot of speed and strength. I think he is one of the best 2 year olds we have seen this year.”
Dream Ahead is out of Land of Dreams (Cadeaux Généreux), who won a Group 2 at Doncaster as a 2 year old before winning a Group 3 at Goodwood the following year. Dream Ahead was bought as a yearling for $11,000 before making £35,000 earlier this year at the Doncaster Breeze Up Sales (click here for catalogue page).
