The 2024 April Maiden winners

 

SOLINAH (f3), (GB) by Siyouni ex Distortion (Distorted Humor)

Prix Parade d’Amour (Unraced 2-year-old fillies, 1,600m/1m), April 19 avril 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Christophe Ferland

Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Starting from gate four among fifteen runners, Solinah (Siyouni) travelled just behind the early leaders. However, unlike her competitors, the Wertheimer filly stuck close to the rail while, typically, the rest of the field fanned out towards the stands off the final turn. This strategic move allowed Solinah to fend off her rivals, securing a narrow victory by a head over Zora (Toronado), who had to cover extra ground outside the pack. Darnya (Zarak), following the same path, finished a length and a half behind in third.

Solinah is the eighth foal out of Distortion (Distorted Humor), a race winner and notably, the dam of Kertez (Intello), a frequent group-placed runner sold for €150,000 at the Arqana Arc sale in 2023 to Nicolas Clément and EDC Agency, now racing in the USA where he recently claimed a Group 2 victory over 1m4f.

A two-year-old Nathaniel filly is currently being trained by André Fabre.

 

OCEAN VIKING (c3), GB by Farhh ex Sea Chorus (Singspiel)

Prix Pas de Deux (Unraced 3-year-old colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m), April 19, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Kenny Kok

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

A firm favourite in this strong maiden field, Ocean Viking (Farhh), gradually made his presence felt in the pack, effectively targeting the lead held by Vcte de Jodelet (Kitten’s Joy). In a commanding finish, he asserted his dominance confidently, finishing more than two lengths ahead, with a further six lengths back to the third-placed finisher.

This was a notably smooth victory for the son of winning mare Sea Chorus (Singspiel), purchased for 200,000 GBP as a yearling by Stroud Coleman. Only two months later, the dam, in foal with an Expert Eye filly born in 2023, was sold for 5,000 GBP at Tattersalls to Ballydorgan Stud. Noteworthy is that the mare is a sister to the German champion Soldier Hollow (In the Wings) from the family of the Japanese racing legend El Condor Pasa.

Ocean Viking is entered in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas, Gr1) and the Qatar prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1).

 

SIYANDRA (f3), (IRE) by Medaglia d’Oro ex Siyarafina (Pivotal)

Prix Sicarelle (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 2,400m/1m4f), April 19, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: H.H. Aga Khan

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Haras de S. A. Aga Khan

Rider: Dorian Provost

Second last year in the Prix de Toutevoie and then in a maiden over 1m1f at Chantilly, Siyandra was the favourite here over 1m4f among a field of eight fillies. She settled in fifth along the rail and moved up entering the straight by following the leader Mosaïque (Dubawi)’s move towards the outside rail. At the furlong marker, the Aga Khan’s filly demonstrated her superiority, pulling clear to win by six lengths over Mosaïque, who carried no weight allowance, and a further six lengths ahead of Moosbeere (Waldgeist), who made her move at the final turn.

Entered in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1), Siyandra hails from Siyarafina (Pivotal), undefeated in three starts including the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) before faltering in the Prix de Diane (Gr1), which was her final race. Siyandra is her only registered foal to date. The third dam of this filly is the dam of the celebrated stallion Siyouni (Pivotal), reflecting the successful breeding cross found in Siyandra’s dam.

 

INTERNAUTE (c3), (IRE) by Sea the Stars ex Solemia (Poliglote)

Prix Amour Drake (Maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings, 2,400m/1m4f), April 19, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias

Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Immediately contesting the lead with Spinello (Cracksman), the favourite Internaute (Sea the Stars) sprinted for the outside rail and showed dominance in the final furlong. He crossed the line more than a length ahead of a determined Spinello in his fourth outing, six months after his debut and sole 2-year-old start last October at ParisLongchamp over 1m1f.

Having placed second twice since January, this sixth foal from the Arc-winning Solemia (Poliglote), also her sixth winner, has finally notched up his first victory. He is entered in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club and the Grand Prix de Paris. While all of Solemia’s foals have won, not all have reached high levels, and some have had to take roundabout routes to shed their maiden status. For example, Seulomonde (Dubawi) won in a handicap at Angers before being sold at Deauville, where Saubouas (Paul Basquin) acquired him for €70,000. He is now earning his keep in Qatar. The Solemia's only winning grand-child is Yoox (Lope de Vega). He has secured two victories and recently placed fourth in his first Listed attempt, the Prix Maurice Caillault (L), with promising future engagements.

 

CORNÉLIENNE (f3), (IRE) by Golden Horn ex Australienne (Monsun)

Prix de Trévise (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 2,000m/1m2f), April 18, 2024, ParisLongchamp

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Christophe Ferland

Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Cornélienne, narrowly defeated in her two starts last season, broke through with a decisive front-running victory in her seasonal debut. Demonstrating early dominance, she held off a late surge from Some Skye (Churchill), beaten half a length, with Sailawaywithme (Sea the Stars) finishing strongly in third place.

Cornélienne is the sixth foal out of Australienne (Monsun), who found success late in her three-year-old season. Australienne has already produced Palomba (Lope de Vega), a Listed winner and twice Group 3 placed, and the impressive Tasmania (Zoffany), runner-up in the Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1). Australienne's Melbourne Cup-winning brother, Américain (Dynaformer), underscores the family's depth in classic stamina. Cornélienne's winning full sister was sold last year as a 3-year-old for €30,000 to Charel Bloodstock.

A Sea the Stars 2yo filly is in training with Édouard Monfort, whose full sister is a yearling.

 

HAMAVI (g3), (IRE) by Dubawi ex Baahama (Anabaa)

Prix de Viroflay (Maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings, 2,000m/1m2f), April 18, 2024, ParisLongchamp

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Making his debut in this maiden race, and as one of just two geldings in the field, Hamavi (Dubawi) was the punters' favourite and also the pick of the Wertheimer stable's contracted rider, Maxime Guyon. His reluctance to enter the starting stalls could have worried his backers but once released, he raced prominently alongside his stablemate Babakool (Dubawi), shaking him off in the final stages to maintain a lead of over a length against Oscar (Siyouni), who put in a persuasive performance in his second outing. The other gelding, Newlook (New Bay), was resolute, finishing two lengths behind the runner-up after tracking the Wertheimer pair throughout. Babakool concluded in fourth place.

Baahama (Anabaa), the dam of the winner, not only clinched the Prix Charles Laffitte (L)  late at 3 but had also finished in second place in the Prix d'Aumale (Gr3) at two. At stud, she produced the classic hopeful Akihiro (Deep Impact), winner of the Prix des Chênes (Gr3). After a second-place finish in the Prix Greffulhe (Gr2), however, he was not seen again in France, later achieving two victories in Hong Kong. His own sister, Bartaba (Deep Impact), captured the Prix Belle de Nuit (Gr3). Another promising offspring, the filly Regalis (Dubawi), was sold for €240,000 to Australia at Arqana after her attempt in the Prix Cléopâtre (Gr3) fell short.

Hamavi's fourth dam is none other than the champion mare Gold River, adding a storied pedigree to this promising newcomer's credentials.

 

MONTEMESOLA (f3), (FR) by Kingman ex Taranto (Machiavellian)

Prix de Verneuil (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 1,600m/1m), April 18, 2024, ParisLongchamp

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Godolphin

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

On her second attempt following a strong third-place debut last month at Compiègne, Montemesola (Kingman) seized an early lead in a race marked by its sluggish early pace. Engaged in a protracted struggle throughout the home straight, she displayed staunch resolve in holding her ground against Golightly (Frankel), who matched her stride for stride. Despite being momentarily overshadowed mid-straight by Avenue Montaigne (Zarak), the most seasoned, who still ultimately faltered, Montemesola was dead-heated with Golightly at the line, edging out Avenue Montaigne by nearly a length.

Bred by her owners, Godolphin, Montemesola is a sister to the classic-performer Territories (Invincible Spirit), belonging to a lineage that includes luminaries such as Street Cry and Shamardal.

 

 

GOLIGHTLY (f3), FRA by Frankel ex Girl Friday (Pivotal)

Prix de Verneuil (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 1,600m/1m), April 18, 2024, ParisLongchamp

Owners: Oceanic Bloodstock, Haras de Saint-Pair, François Branère

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeder: Haras de Saint-Pair

Rider: Cristian Demuro

Golightly, having secured her racing credentials with a hard-fought finish alongside Montemesola, showcased her pedigree and potential in an impressive display. Purchased for €300,000 at the Arqana yearling sales by Oceanic Bloodstock, who now shares ownership with her breeder Haras de Saint-Pair, Golightly hails from a family renowned for both speed and stamina. Her third dam, Zelding, was a champion sprinter and producer of notable offspring, while her dam is a sibling to the accomplished Glycon (Le Havre).

 

NÉE EN BLEUE (f3), FRA by Saint des Saints ex Née pour Vaincre (Poliglote)

Prix Wild Monarch Pouliches Hurdle race (3-year-old fillies unraced over jumps, Hurdle Race, 3,000m/1m7f), April 16, 2024, Auteuil

Owner: Mrs Patrick Papot

Trainer: Jeremy Da Silva

Breeder: Écurie Madame Patrick Papot

Rider: Alexandre Chesneau

From the outset, Née en Bleue (Saint des Saints) boldly took the lead, swiftly distancing herself from a pack of thirteen fillies. She maintained her lead throughout, repelling a strong challenge in the run-in from Laytown (Doctor Dino), who settled for second place, one and a half lengths adrift. Following the pace early, Sainte Lucie (Great Pretender) remained a commendable third, four lengths behind the second. The favourite, Majdame (Doctor Dino), stumbled over hurdles but closed pleasingly, albeit too late to threaten the leaders.

Née en Bleue, now the fourth foal from Née pour Vaincre (Poliglote), who secured a single win over hurdles at Vichy, and also foaled Nez Vert (Night Wish), sold for €10,000 at 2 at  Arqana to bloodstock agent Guy Petit. Née pour Vaincre is a sister to Saint Macaire (Saint des Saints) and Sleeping Mat (Sleeping Car), both Group winners at Auteuil.

Post-Née en Bleue, the mare gave a Goliath du Berlais colt born in 2023.

 

LECŒURDESHOMMES (g3), FRA by Jeu St Eloi ex Voix du Mont (Voix du Nord)

Prix Wild Monarch Poulains Hurdle Race (3-year-old colts and geldings unraced over jumps, Hurdle Race, 3,000m/1m7f), April 16, 2024, Auteuil

Owners: Jacques Détré, Écurie Team Spirit, Patrice Détré

Trainer: François Nicolle

Breeders: Philippe Thiriet, Michel Larobe, Vincent Le Roy, Écurie Artsam

Rider: Angelo Zuliani

Gradually moving up through the field along the back straight, Lecœurdeshommes (Jeu St Eloi) took the lead entering the final stretch and then held off the challenge from Kivala du Berlais (Saint des Saints), who had raced closer to the pace but lost some ground on the outside in the turn. Kivala du Berlais came back to challenge between the final two hurdles. Still, the Team Spirit and Détré family representative kicked again, keeping his valiant challenger at bay to win by a solid length.

Early leader Bardenas (Nathaniel) stayed on to take third, over seven lengths ahead of Sail On (No Nay Never) and Capbello Dino (Doctor Dino).

Voix du Mont (Voix du Nord), the winner's dam, finished second in the Prix Wild Monarch Fillies ten years ago but ended her career after six jumps races without a win.

Lecœurdeshommes is the fifth foal of his dam Voix du Mont (Voix du Nord), and her first winner in France. His older brother, Keep Cool Coko (Cokoriko), was sold as a foal for €5,500, then for €13,000 as a three-year-old last year at Tattersalls Ireland. Intriguingly, the horse's fourth dam gave Tenby, winner of the Grand Critérium (Gr1) and Dante Stakes (Gr2), whose sister produced the sprinter Gammarth (Layman).

Following Lecœurdeshommes, Voix du Mont has produced two Tunis colts.

 

CALYPSO KING (g3), (IRE) by Calyx ex Cheriearch (Arch)

Prix de Saint-Lô (Maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings, 1,200m/6f), April 10, 2024, Deauville

Owners: Peter D. Savill, Peter Kandiah, Rodney Fitzroy, Stéphane Wattel, Mark Hudson, Martin Cruddace, Renata Coleman

Trainer: Stéphane Wattel

Breeders: Oceanic Bloodstock, OTI Management, Ariane Gravereaux

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

Starting off his career with a third-place finish in the Prix de Crévecœur last July and then absent since, Calypso King (Calyx) was first held back in mid-pack before making his move on the outside, surging ahead to narrowly defeat the promising debutant, Quiddich (Lethal Force), by a head. Both finished three lengths clear of Lazym (Kodiac), who had been prominent throughout but was outpaced towards the finish alongside another early leader, Wootton Melody (Wootton Bassett). The favourite, Adore Blue (Blue Point), faltered along the rail.

Calypso King, purchased for €170,000 at the October Arqana sales by his trainer, Stéphane Wattel, is the fifth foal out of the accomplished American mare Cheriearch (Arch), winner of the Prix La Sorellina (L) in France and dam to a Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3) victor, Welwal (Shalaa). The great-grand-dam, Seminole Girl, produced a Gr3 winner in the USA, producing several Gr1 winners in Europe and the US.

 

TAZARA (f3), IRE by Blue Point ex L’Explora (War Front)

Prix de Gruchy (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 1,200m/6f), April 10, 2024, Deauville

Owners: E P Babington, Herald Bloodstock, Arthur Hoyeau, Jean-Etienne Dubois, N N Holmes

Trainer: Christophe Ferland

Breeder: Hamwood Stud

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Leading from the start, Tazara (Blue Point) hugged the rail by the stands and held strong to win by nearly a length over the favourite, Salva Mea (Wootton Bassett), who just managed to fend off a strong finish by third-placed One Mistress (Lope de Vega), beaten by a short head.

The newcomer, La Landonne (No Nay Never), closed well to finish fourth, four lengths behind but impressively.

Tazara carried more weight than the three closest finishers. Making her comeback after a third-place debut last October at Chantilly over the same distance and then placing second twice over 6.5f at Deauville in November, this was a strong return by the Hamwood Stud graduate.

Initially sold as a foal for €27,000 at Goffs in Ireland, she was later purchased as a yearling for £90,000 at Tattersalls by Arthur Hoyeau, now one of her co-owners. Her brother by Earthlight is set to appear at the Goffs breeze-ups this month.

Descended from an Aga Khan family, distant relatives include notable stayer Tiraaz, and more recently Damson (Entrepreneur), Tazara’s granddam, a winner of the Queen Mary Stakes (Gr2) and Phoenix Stakes (Gr1) at two, who has produced group winners. She is also the great-granddam of the globetrotting Gr1 winner Dubai Honour (Pride of Dubai).

 

CASHANDA (f3), FRA by Zoffany ex Caskelena (Galileo)

Prix de Chaillot (Unraced 3-year-old Fillies, 2,100m/10.5f), April 7, 2024, ParisLongchamp

Owner: Nurlan Bizakov

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Sumbe

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

As the favourite in this contest of nine debutante fillies on very heavy ground, Cashanda (Zoffany) secured a straightforward victory, crossing the finish line with a margin of over a length. She travelled behind the leaders, who seemed to have set a quicker tempo than their male counterparts in the Prix Juigné.
She outpaced two fillies closed in and finished together, with Jannah Pearl (Galileo) in second, having made up more ground than her rival Zerafa (Dariyan), narrowly beaten but by no means outclassed. A commendable late surge from Strassia (Kendargent), slightly behind, merits attention too.
Bred by her owner, Nurlan Bizakov, Cashanda was entered in the Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1) at two but didn't compete in any race at that age.
Cashanda never went to the sales, unlike her elder sibling Canagat (Zoffany), who was auctioned three times from age three to five. Placed third in the Prix Saônois (L) at Cagnes-sur-Mer behind Wally and Kenway in 2021, he later returned to Great Britain and was consistently placed in handicaps there.
Their dam, Caskelena (Galileo), a winner at three and sister to Group 2 victor Turtle Bow (Turtle Island) and Group 1 winner Turtle Bowl (Dyhim Diamond), attracted a €600,000 bid from Charlie Gordon-Watson as a yearling in August 2010 at Deauville. Cashanda is her younger foal.

 

DELIUS (c3), GB by Frankel ex Whatami (Daylami)

Prix Juigné (Unraced 3-year-old Colts and geldings, 2,100m/10.5f), April 7, 2024, ParisLongchamp

Owners: Susan Magnier, Westerberg, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeders: Mr. & Mrs David Brown

Rider: Cristian Demuro

Heading as the favourite into this renowned maiden race contested on very heavy ground by seven beginners, Delius (Frankel) didn’t falter, advancing from the rear to take the lead in the middle of the course to see off the betting’s first favourite, Kind of Kiss (Sea the Stars), at a distance of 3.5 lengths. Always behind the leaders, who quickly faltered, Future Rate (Dubawi) stayed on in third, half a length behind, after launching the first attack in the home straight. The pace of the race was rather slow at the start.
The winner is entered in the Grand Prix de Paris. He was purchased as a foal for £675,000 at the Tattersalls yearling sales. Renowned sires Kodiac and Invincible Spirit are featured under the 3rd dam. Born in February, the colt is a brother to a Group 3 winner at Newcastle. This is the family of the mare Uni (More than Ready), notably the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile (Gr1).
Following Delius, the mare has notably produced a Sea The Moon filly sold for £70,000 as a yearling to Mildmay Bloodstock and a Kingman filly born in 2023.

 

ROCK HUNTER (c2), GB by Expert Eye ex Parknasilla (Dutch Art)

Prix du Premier Pas (Unraced 2-year-olds, 1,000m/5f), April 4, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Macauliffe/Don/De Souza

Trainer: Amy Murphy

Breeder: Perryston Bloodstock

Rider: Tony Piccone

Promptly securing a favourable position behind the leaders with gate number three, Rock Hunter (Expert Eye), allowed the early front-runner Improve Your Move (Bungle Inthejungle) to drift away from the rail 2 out before moving forward. He quickly took over and won by 3 lengths in this highly contested maiden race with a purse of €50,000. He finished ahead of Nuit de l’Homme (Gutaifan), a brave second, Improve Your Move, and Political Power (Wooded), who clocked the second-fastest time over the final 3 furlongs.

Rock Hunter proved significantly superior to his competition. He was initially purchased as a foal for £15,000 at Newmarket and then as a yearling for £32,000 at Goffs, UK. His sister Geologist (Territories), also trained by Amy Murphy, placed third in Prix Six Perfections (Gr3). Both are out of the unraced mare Parknasilla (Dutch Art), whose most recent offspring, a foal by Mohaather, was sold for £35,000 at Tattersalls late last year.

 

SERQUIGNY (c3), (IRE) by Shalaa ex Zelhia (Panis)

Prix Brûleur (Maiden 3-years-old colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m), April 1st 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Gérard Augustin-Normand

Trainer: Yann Barberot

Breeder: Franklin Finance

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

The most experienced in this field of six maiden colts, marking his 7th outing, Serquigny (Shalaa) took an early lead. It then bravely fought off the challenge from the favourite Ozat (Kingman), who seemed to be only waiting for his moment midway down the straight. Yet, in the end, Serquigny decidedly secured a win by a neck with Nobleman (French Fifteen), who was running for the second time and had been supplemented, finishing pleasantly less than a length behind.

Serquigny had two runs at Deauville in autumn, followed by another two at Cagnes before claiming 6th in another maiden at Chantilly prior to this victory. He has twice finished a close second. His races have been confined between 1,500 to 1,600 meters. His unraced dam Zelhia (Panis), purchased for €90,000 as a yearling, is a full sister to Maiguri (Panis), winner of the Prix Roland de Chambure (L). Both are out of the French Guineas winner Zalaiyka (Royal Academy).

 

BUBBLE GUM (f3), FRA by Cloth of Stars ex Bambara (High Chaparral)

Prix Basse Pointe (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 1,600m/1m), April 1st, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Rashit Shaykhutdinov

Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

Breeder: Rashit Shaykhutdinov

Rider: Cristian Demuro

Between showers, the supplemented Bubble Gum (Cloth of Stars) totally dominated this maiden. The firm favourite for her return almost six months after her debut (5th) and also entered in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1), Rashit Shaykhutdinov’s homebred took to the inside rail on the turn before heading to the stands' side to easily overpower her stablemate Chivère (De Treville).

Bubble Gum did not find a buyer as a yearling at the Arqana October sales at €70,000. She is the 7th foal out of the maiden Bambara (High Chaparral), who previously produced a Listed winner. A son by De Treville was also born in 2023.