Monday 26th July 2010, Compiegne. (www.jourdegalop.com) The hot favourite of the €55,000 Prix Pelleas (L-3yo Males-2,000m), Lancelot (Bahri) did not have to dig deep in order to come home the winner. Held up for most of the race he was pulled out by Olivier Peslier on turning into the straight and came home easily three quarters of a length ahead of his nearest rival, Altair Star (Kris Kin), who was the leader for Lope de Vega (Shamardal) in the Prix Jean Prat (Gr1). After trying his hand over 2,400m, Lancelot dropped back to 2,000m, which appears to be his ideal distance. When speaking to Equidia after the race, Olivier Peslier said: “He took some time to get into the race. That is why he was out the back early on in the race. He is better over 2,000m than over 2,400m. I always knew that I was going better than the eventual second.”

Lancelot should now run in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (Gr2), according to Paul Nataf, who purchased the horse at the Arqana October Yearling Sales for €38,000 (click here for catalogue page). Lancelot was bred by Jean-Charles Coude and is out of Lunata (Marju), third placed in the Prix Yacowlef (L).

Beaurevoir – Torentosa lives up to expectations

Another favourite in the money was Torentosa (Oasis Dream) who won the €24,000 Prix de Beaurevoir (Unraced 2 year old Fillies-1,400m), despite appearing very keen throughout the race. Although she seemed beaten 300 metres from the line she found another gear just 100 metres from the winning post to beat Riqa (Dubawi), niece of Prix Jean Prat and Jacques Le Marois (Grs1) winner Tamayuz (Nayef), by 2 lengths. Torentosa is a niece of Belle et Célèbre (Peintre Célèbre) and looks to be one to watch in the future if she learns to relax in her races as she gains more experience. Gorgeous Sixty (Touch of the Blues), who was bought for only €9,000€ at Deauville, finished very strongly to take third place a further half a length behind and looks to be the performance to note from this race.

Sunday 25th July 2010, Maisons Laffitte (www.jourdegalop.com)

“There is a big race in early October which could be the objective of Shimraan”, announced Alain de Royer Dupré after the impressive success of his charge in the €400,000 Prix Eugène Adam-Grand Prix de Maisons-Laffitte (Gr2-3yos-2,000m). The trainer was in fact jokingly referring to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1) as a possible target for Shimraan (Rainbow Quest). The winner only made his first appearance on the 11th May this year at Maisons-Laffitte, in the Prix Sanctus. A race won by another Aga Khan representative, Behehstam (Peintre Célèbre). “He accelerated nicely and with a lot of class”, added Alain de Royer Dupré. “He can stay 2,400m without any problem. He is a son of Rainbow Quest (Blushing Groom) and, as with a lot of his progeny, he can handle soft ground.”

Back in second place was the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Gr1) third Shamalgan (Footstepsinthesand) who was beaten a neck by the winner. Three lengths behind in third placed was the German colt Hollywood Kiss (Paolini). Placed in both the Irish and English 2000 Guineas (Grs1) and then in the Prix Jean Prat (Gr1), Xtension (Xaar) looked to be going well before flattening in the finish, looking not to have stayed the trip, and eventually finishing fourth. The disappointment in the race came from the favourite Lumineux (Motivator). André Fabre’s charge finished in sixth place.  

Bred by the Aga Khan Studs, Shimraan is the first offspring out of Shemriyna (King of Kings), who won her maiden over 2,100m before retiring to stud.She in turn is out of Shemaya (Darshaan), who earned her black type over 1,800m in the Prix Casimir Delamarre (L) at Longchamp.

Sunday 25th July 2010, Maisons Laffitte (www.jourdegalop.com) Irish Field (Dubawi), trained by Spaniard Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez, won the €130,000 Prix Robert Papin (Gr2). Second in the Prix du Bois (Gr3), when beaten on the line by Keratiya (Iron Mask), Irish Field won his first Group race and announced himself as a serious candidate for the Prix Morny (Gr1).

“He ran very well in the Prix du Bois (Gr3) and came out of that race well” declared his trainer. “I didn’t give any instructions to Christophe Soumillon and he rode him very well. We will see how he is after this race before we decide on the next step and whether he will run in the Prix Morny (Gr1). But he has been sold to Hong Kong and that has to be taken into account.”

Irish Field sat on the heels of the leader, Broox (Xaar), before making his move 200 metres from the line to win with ease. Broox put up a strong performance to take second place a length and a half behind the winner, with the English raider Approve (Oasis Dream) a further short head behind in third. Approve will more than likely reencounter Irish Field in the Prix Morny at Deauville.

Bred in Ireland by Denis McDonnell, Irish Field (Dubawi) was purchased at the Goffs Orby Sale  for €18,000 by Marc-Antoine Berghgracht aux ventes Goffs (click here for catalogue page). He is the first offspring out of Turkana Girl (Hernando), a half sister to Leo (Pivotal), winner of the Royal Lodge Stakes (Gr2) and second in the Superlative Stakes (Gr3), and of Balkenhol (Polar Falcon), twice Listed winner in Italy.

Friday 23rd July 2010, Vichy (www.jourdegalop.com)

Sadiyna (Sinndar) made a good impression when winning the €27,000 Prix de Saint-Yorre (3yos-2,400m). The Aga Khan filly dominated the favourite Ley Hunter (Kingmambo) in the finish, while the rest of the field trailed home in their wake. “This was my first time to ride her”, confided Gérald Mossé, “but I saw that she ran well on her first start. The soft ground was a worry but her pedigree indicated that she should handle it. She was a bit keen early on but reached her cruising speed on the far side. She has staying power and a turn of foot which will be more obvious on good ground.” Sadiyna beat Ley Hunter by one and a half lengths with the race leader Indiana Wells (Sadler’s Wells) a further eight lengths behind in third place.

Bred by the Aga Khan Studs, Sadiyna is out of Saga d’Ouilly (Linamix), who won on her first start as a 2 year old in Deauville before finishing sixth in the Prix Pénélope (Gr3), as a 3 year old. Saga d’Ouilly is also the full sister of the champion Sagamix, winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1) in 1998.

Thursday 22nd July 2010, Vichy. (www.jourdegalop.com) Second last year in the Coronation Stakes (Gr1) at Royal Ascot, Reggane (Red Ransom) had only ever won one race in her career, on her first start in the Prix des Grès. She put this to rights when winning the €52,000 Prix Jacques de Bremond (L-4yo+ -1,600m).  “We have been looking for a win with Reggane”, explained jockey Gérald Mossé after the race. “She was Group placed but she needed to win. She did it very well, and proved herself courageous on this soft ground. I am very pleased with her success as I rode her mother Reine Zao.”

Mundybash (Diktat) finished second a length behind Reggane. Polarix (Linamix) proved himself to be as reliable as ever when taking third place a further a half length back.

Bred by his owners, the Haras de la Perelle, Reggane is out of Reine Zao (Alzao). Having won her maiden, in Deauville, as a 3 year old, Reine Zao then finished third in the Prix de Psyché (Gr3), before trying her hand in the Prix Vermeille (Gr1), without success. In 2008, Reine Zao produced a filly by Dalakhani and in 2009 another filly by Zamindar.

Golf du Sporting – Prince Bishop revels on soft ground

Prince Bishop (Dubawi) won the €21,000 Prix du Golf du Sporting (3yo Maiden Males-2,000m) by an impressive 10 lengths from Frederick Handel (Oratorio). Prince Bishop provided jockey Maxime Guyon with his eighth success of the meeting here at Vichy, which is one more than he rode last year. Very comfortable on ground that had received over 55mm of rain since the evening before; Prince Bishop romped home ahead of a modest field of rivals. “They weren’t a great bunch”, said Maxime Guyon, “There were a lot of first timers. Last time out he was unlucky at the start. Today he proved his quality and that he can handle the ground.”

Le Royale Martin (Martillo)

was having his first run in this race, and although he was unlucky early on, he finished well to take third place a neck behind.

Bred by Thurso Limited, Prince Bishop is out of North East Bay (Prospect Bay), who has already produced three winners. She is also the half sister of Hold to Ransom (Red Ransom), who won the Sandringham Stakes (L) and finished second in the Pretty Polly Stakes (L) at Newmarket.

Briandet – Royale Sage wins despite quirks

Royale Saga (Sagacity) finally opened her record in the €21,000 Prix du Briandet (3yo Maiden Fillies-2,000m). Joël Boisnard’s filly showed plenty of character behind the stalls and even escaped the handlers with the blindfold on her head. “She is always like that”, confided her trainer. “Her character is what has prevented her from winning her first race sooner.”

The favourite Valpareiso (Kingsalsa) finished second 2 lengths behind the winner. Andre Fabre’s

Spirit Ditty (Singspiel) came from behind to take third place a further 5 lengths behind.

Royale Saga was bred in Calvados by Écurie Holgafi. She is a daughter of Royale Fine (Saumarez), of which she is the fourth product and the first to win.

Wednesday 21st July 2010, Vichy. (www.jourdegalop.com) As always the €80,000 Grand Prix de Vichy Auvergne (Gr3-3yos+ -2,000m) was of a very high level and it featured an easy win by Agent Secret (Pyrus). Eight lengths was the official winning distance by which François Rohaut’s charge beat Pont des Arts (Kingsalsa). Torrential rain flooded the racecourse from 8pm on, to the misfortune of Court Canibal (Montjeu) and Russian Cross (Cape Cross).

François Rohaut was clearly delighted to win this Group 3 for the first time; “This is like a dream come true. It is the first time I’ve won the Grand Prix de Vichy. When I was young I used to come here to see the Grand Prix. My parents live close by in Vichy and they are here to witness this great moment”. This success has firmly installed him at the top of the trainers’ table in the Défi du Galop challenge, with 28 points and four wins.

Once Agent Secret made his move nobody could get close to him in the last 250 metres of the race. Pont de Arts took second place a neck ahead of Tip Toe (Footstepsinthesand). In winning, Agent Secret realised a rare double, the Grand Prix de Lyon (L) and the Grand Prix de Vichy.

Bred by J.N. Hutchinson, Agent Secret is the brother of Imperial Secret (Imperial Ballet), who started his career in the same colours, those of Raoul Temam, when winning a big handicap at Clairefontaine. When trained by Richard Chotard he won the Grande Course de Haies de Cagnes (L) over hurdles in 2008 and finished third in a Group 1 hurdle in Rome. Their dam, Ron’s Secret (Efisio), won three handicaps in England. Agent Secret was bought back by Francois Rohaut at the Arqana Horses in Training Sale, at Saint Cloud in October 2009, for €145,000 (click here for catalogue page). Whereas Pont des Arts was bought by Ronald Caget as a yearling for the much smaller sum of €9,000, at the Arqana October Yearling Sales in 2005, (click here for catalogue page).  

Reves d’Or – Marlinka rockets homes

“She is a real little rocket”, exclaimed Ioritz after winning the €55,000 Prix des Rêves d'Or – Jacques Bouchara (L-2yos-1,000m), with Marlinka (Marju). “She was so fast over the first 400 metres that I was afraid that she would have nothing more to give”, he continued. “I would like to see the race time as we went very fast. She took a breath after 500 metres and picked up again. I think she will be even better on faster ground.”

Marlinka made a strong impression on this soft ground; she was so fast away at the start that it looked as if hers was the only stall to have opened. At the halfway mark she was the only runner still going easily while the rest of her rivals were being pushed along. She eventually came home three quarters of a length ahead of Boccalino (Iron Mask), the only colt in the race, with Bulliciosa (Successful Appeal) finishing fast to take third place a further half length behind.

As for the winner; “She is the best two year old that we have in the yard” declared Geordie Thompson, assistant to Roger Charlton. “

She has a lot of speed. We were a bit worried by the rain but in the end it was still quite firm underneath as it had not soaked in.”

Normally this race is run on the stands’ side but the jockeys made a request to move the stalls before the race due to the bad state of the track. In the end the problem was resolved as all the runners came up the middle of the track.

Marlinka is owned by Elite Racing Club, which has an amazing 12,000 members. The group also owned Marlinka’s aunt the champion miler Soviet Song (Marju), winner of 5 Group 1s, including the Falmouth Stakes twice, the Sussex Stakes and the Matron Stakes (Grs1). Marlinka is a daughter of Baralinka (Barathea), who won four times for Paul Cole.

Union des AQPS du Centre Est – Another success for Roseau de Loire

The €25,000 Prix de l'Union des AQPS du Centre-Est (4 and 5yo AQPS horses-2,400m) was won by Roseau de Loire (SF-Smadoun) in the hands of Franck Blondel. Six lengths back in second was the Magalen Bryant owned Sultane Moriviere (AQPS-Califet) with Rebecca de Thaix (SF-Lavirco) a further two and a half lengths behind in third.

 Roseau de Loire (SF-Smadoun) has achieved three wins and five places from his eight career starts, all of which have been on the flat over distances of 2,300 to 2,450 metres. He is out of Gribiche (SF-Montorselli) who won four races when also trained by Eric Vagne.

Tuesday 20th July 2010, Vichy. (www.jourdegalop.com) Festivité (Hurricane Cat) won the €21,000 Prix de Bellerive (2yo Frenchbred fillies-1,400m) on her second career start. Coming from behind she made up a lot ground to win by three quarters of a length. “Her work at home was promising but she went through a growth spurt before her debut so that didn’t go to plan”, said winning trainer Jean-Pierre Gauvin “It’s often on their second start that we see the truth with 2 year olds. She works well in the mornings and had every right to surprise us today.” Festivité finished seventh on her first start at Sirène Dorée (Kingsalsa) fought off the strong challenge from the rest of the field to keep second place three quarters of a length ahead of Psirêve (Apsis) and La Bisquine (Loup Solitaire) who dead heated for third place.

Bred by Haras de Maulepaire, Festivité is out of Fair Foot (Tel Quel), and was purchased for €7,000€ by Jean-Pierre Gauvin at the Arqana Sales in October 2009 (click here for catalogue page). Fair Foot won four times and has produced three winners. She is also a sister of Diana Lodge (Nashamaa), who finished 2nd in the Critérium de Lyon (L).

Minardiere – Special moment for Keven Borgel

Marseille trainer Keven Borgel  managed a one two in the €21,000 Prix de la Minardière (2yo Frenchbred Males-1,400m) thanks to winning colt Santoblue (Russian Blue) who beat stablemate Ever Prince (Desert Prince) by three quarters of a length. “They are two horses of the same level”, confided the winning trainer. “Santoblue has more work behind him, which worked in his favour. He will now run in some good races in Marseille. He is a good horse and is the brother of Balerina (Della Francesca), who won a Listed at Marseille-Borély.” Santoblue had the advantage of having more experience than most of his rivals as this was his fourth career start.

Monday 19th July 2010, Vichy (www.jourdegalop.com) Honneur Suprême (Baroud d’Honneur) beat his nine rivals to win the €27,000 Prix Ombrette (2yo Fillies-1,400m). Yann Barberot’s charge hadn’t won since his first start in the Prix de la Marche, a claimer which was one of the first 2 year old race of the year. On that day he was defended by his owners for €53,333. Slowly away Honneur Suprême was held up patiently, unlike on other performances, and accelerated impressively in the straight to pass the post four lengths in front. “She did it very easily”, confided Maxime Foulon. “Yann Barberot told me to be patient with her as she can be very keen. I took a pull from the start and that is why she was slowly away. She was relaxed in behind and could use her turn of foot in the finish.”

The favourite, Rue des Iris (Muhtathir), took second place after managing to fight off all attacks except for that of that of the winner. A short neck behind in third place was Irish Chope (Indian Rocket).

Bred in Calvados by Écurie Atropas, Honneur Suprême is a daughter of Un Petit Tour (Double Bed), a mare who never figured in the finish of her three starts.

Cusset – Retribution for Ocean Dore

“Unfortunately Océan Doré (Kingsalsa) put his foot in a hole after the line and came back a little lame”, declared Thierry Larrivière, trainer of the winner of the €27,000 Prix de Cusset (2yo Males-1,400m). On his last run Océan Doré was disqualified after winning and placed fourth. Without that incident he would have achieved his third career success on Monday as he was victorious on his first start at Lyon-Parilly. “He has a real turn of foot” continued his trainer, “He had already shown that on his last start, but was disqualified for nothing. We had planned to run him in the Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles (L), but that is complicated by that fact that he is now lame.”

Sunday 18th July 2010, Vichy. (www.jourdegalop.com) Brigantin (Cozzene) achieved his second consecutive success in the €55,000 Prix Frédéric de Lagrange (L-3yos-2,400m), after his victory in the Swiss Derby in late June. That race is only classed as a Listed race at local level, not by International standards, this win permitted him to finally achieve a true Listed victory and an easy one at that. “I didn’t need to hit him at all and he won very easily” said Maxime Guyon, his jockey. “He is a good horse who won easily in the Swiss Derby.” Elisabeth Fabre’s charge has only once been out of the first two in five Listed starts. On Sunday he finished a length ahead of Royal Ménantie (Kendor), while his stable companion Royal Bengali (Tiger Hill) was a further three quarters of a length behind in third place.

Bred in partnership by Team Valor, Mme Elisabeth Fabre and Denali Stud & Partners, Brigantin is a son of Banyu Dewi (Poliglote). Trained by Mario Hofer, Banyu Dewi won a Listed in Baden-Baden before finishing fourth in the Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1). Brigantin is also the nephew of Banyumanik (Perugino), triple Gr3 winner and five times placed in Gr2s, before retiring to stud.

Malavaux – Tous Ensemble pulls it together

Tous Ensemble (Epalo), bred by the Haras de Saint-Voir, did not mess up on his debut in competition when winning the €18,000 Prix des Malavaux (3yo AQPS horses – 2,000m). “I told his jockey not to use the whip”, confided Nicolas de Lageneste, his breeder. “He only went into training a few weeks ago and has not had a lot of work, but he has showed quality in the mornings. We are pleased as he is one of the first crop of Epalo, a stallion who stands at our stud. Tous Ensemble should now head for the Critérium du Centre, back here on the 15th August over 2,400m.”

Three quarters of a length behind in third place was Terreur (Raintrap), with Taoiri (Khalkevi) a further 2 lengths behind in third place, both of which had already run.

Saturday 17th July 2010, Maisons Laffitte. (www.jourdegalop.com) “Normally Fuissé (Green Tune) will run in the Prix Jacques Le Marois (Gr1, 15/08) at Deauville” announced Criquette Head-Maarek after her charge’s four length victory in the €80,000 Prix Messidor (Gr3-3yos+ - 1,600m). “In the "Jacques Le Marois", there will be Goldikova (Anabaa) and Paco Boy (Desert Style)” she continued “and they are two very good horses.” The Prix Messidor-Prix Jacques Le Marois double has not been achieved since Polish Precedent (Danzig) in 1989.  

Stéphane Pasquier won his first Group race since his return from a fractured tibia. “I needed that! He shows a lot of quality but I always have the impression that he has stopped when he hits the front. In the "Jacques le Marois" I think that Goldikova and Paco Boy will give us a longer lead and I am convinced that he can take them on.”

Gérald Mossé, in the saddle of Clive Cox’s challenger Beacon Lodge (Clodovil), took second place a length ahead of Silver Frost (Verglas), who should run next in the Prix Quincey (Gr3) at Deauville.

Fuissé is the half brother of Full of Gold (Gold Away), winner of the Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) in 2007, and now standing at stud. Their dam, Funny Féerie (Sillery), also has a 2 year old filly, Finella (Kingsalsa) and a yearling full brother to Fuisse, Francastel (Gold Away).jourdegalop.com

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Alain de Royer Dupré achieved a one-two in the €80,000 Prix de Ris-Orangis (Gr3-3yos+ -1,200m) with War Artist (Orpen) and Tiza (Goldkeeper). “War Artist will be better on his next start”, explained the winning trainer “Today he was obliged to go in front but the more he runs the easier he is to train. He should now go for the Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr1, 8/08) where the distance should be no problem to him. Tiza ran a good race and will no doubt go to Deauville but we will stay at Gr3 level with him.” Half a length separated the two Alain de Royer Dupré runners with Sandrine Tarrou’s Dam d’Augy (Bernebeau) putting up a career best to take third place a further short neck behind.

War Artist is out of the Australian mare Royal Solitaire (Brocco), and is to date her most successful progeny.