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 Monday 12th April 2010 - Enghien. The €46,000 Prix du Finistère Hurdle (3yo Fillies-3,300m) was won in impressive style by Nicolas Bertran de Balanda’s charge Droit d'Aimer (Fr-Sassanian). The winning filly, unbeaten on her two starts, beat Laita (Fr-Sagamix) by 4 lengths with Nikit’as (Fr-Robin des Pres) a further 6 lengths back in third place. Her jumping ability made a difference today. Winning jockey David Cottin said afterwards: “My orders were to jump off well and then tuck in behind the leaders. Droit d'Aimer is talented and when she strengthens up she will be even better.” As for "Nicky" Bertran de Balanda, he said : "I am very pleased because I like her a lot. She'd done well for her first start at Lyon-Parillly. Her usual rider Florian Estrampes has injured himself and could not ride her today but I wish to thank him for the good work he's done with this filly. She could be back here at the end of the month (in the Prix de Menton on April 23rd), or go straight to Auteuil."
Droit d’Aimer is out of Mago Less (Saumarez), a winner on the flat at Marseille-Borely who was claimed €14,407 at the end of her 3yo campaign by Pascal Adda for Ecurie La Licorne. To date she is the only winner out of her dam from three products of racing age. She's got a 2yo Le Fou brother not declared in training yet.
The Prix du Finistere was won by British import Stravinsky Dance for Jehan Bertran de Balanda in 2008.
Brevent – Double for Arqana and Ballingarry
In the colts’ version, the €46,000 Prix du Brévent Hurdle (3yo Males-3,300m) the battle at the finish was much more intence and it was only on the line that Guillaume Macaire’s representative Prince des Gabiers (Fr-Ballingarry) got the better of Balgarry (Fr-Ballingarry). The first two home were both purchased at Arqana’s December Sale. The winner was bought by Interact for €13,000 in 2008 whe n he was consigned by Haras des Granges (click here for catalogue page). The second placed horse was boug ht by Hubert Barbe for €9,000 in 2007 (click here for catalogue page).
Ballingarry, an Orpendale-bred brother to Starborough, is a very popular proposition in France since he joined the Haras du Mezeray in 2005 at €6,000. He was moved to the Haras du Grand Chesnaie, further West, last season and now stands at €2,500 but is still co-managed by the Mezeray. His 46 yearlings sold to date at auction made an average €12,000, according to racingpost.com.
The race leader Melkior du Berlais (Fr-Trempolino) finished an honourable third on his first ever start. Percy (Fr-Discover d'Auteuil), a nephew of Princesse d'Anjou, was making up ground when he made an error at the last hurdle and unseated his jockey.
Ouargla – Rag Tiger provides special moment for young jockey
The €46,000 Prix Ouargla Hurdle (4yos-3,600m) was won by Rag Tiger (GB-Pentire), previously trained by Guillaume Macaire and now with Jean-Paul Gallorini, who in doing so beat Goanag de Kerbarh (Fr-Poplar), a full brother to good jumper Espoir de Kerbah who was giving 11 Lbs to the eventual winner, and Prise de Risque (Fr-Take Risks). This was a first PMU winner for the joung jockey Wilfried Lajon who has been working for Jean-Paul Gallorini for only a month. The winning trainer declared, "Rag Tiger is a good horse, he works well in the mornings. He only arrived recently in my yard, just like the young Wilfried. I am very happy for him to win his first PMU race."
The talented winner was bought back for €17,000 when presented by the Elevage de Marivel, at the 2008 Arqana July Sales at Saint Cloud in 2008 (click here for catalogue page). His dam is the very good German mare Rosarium (Zinaad).
Hyeres III - Luck is on April Blue's side
"He frequently drops his riders in the mornings. He is not an easy horse but he has quality,” commented winning trainer Guy Cherel after the success of April Blue (Fr-Sleeping Car) in the €50,000 Prix Hyères III Chase (4yos-3,400m). "He needs to improve his jumping however,” he added “he was lucky today and that might not be the case the next time.” Ridden by Cyrille Gombeau, April Blue finished three lengths in front of Marasonnien (Mansonnien), who has progressed enormously since finishing 8th on his chasing debut on March 27th. The favourite Karibiksturm (Samum), made up ground on the flat to finish an honourable third 10 lengths behind.
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