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.