The 2024 March Maiden winners

 

LOVEMEC DE HOUELLE (c3), FRA by Beaumec de Houelle ex Inconciente (Kapgarde)

Prix Grandak (3-year-old colts and geldings unraced over jumps, 3,000m/1m7f Hurdle race), March 31, 2024, Auteuil

Owners: Écurie Madame Maryvonne Gilles, Franck Leblanc

Trainer: Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé

Breeder: Franck Leblanc

Rider: David Gallon

Two recalled starts indicated a certain level of excitement before this important beginners' race. Yet, it was only in the final strides of this €62,000 Grandak 3yo Fillies Hurdle race that the truth emerged. Indeed, what seemed assured at the last hurdle ultimately fell into pieces, leading to a completely different finish from what was expected seconds earlier. The imposing leader, Shokdor (Seabhac), was still ahead. Still, in his wake, the outsider AQPS Lauthentyko (Pour Moi) jumped forward and seemed about to take the lead, himself followed by his stablemate for the Pilarski family, the favourite Vador du Berlais (Cokoriko) and Lovemec de Houelle (Beaumec de Houelle), who made a mistake earlier but gradually came back by closing inside in the bend.

However, Shokdor resisted so well that he discouraged his first challenger, narrowly beaten by Vador du Berlais for the... 3rd place. Indeed, the fourth contender, Lovemec de Houelle, had in the meantime produced an acceleration that overcame the tenacity of the leader, adorned in the colours of the Lyon-based team Searching and a superb 2nd by a length, two lengths ahead of the two representatives of the Pilarskis.

Lovemec de Houelle is a product of a stallion that ran at Auteuil for his breeder, famed trotting trainer Franck Leblanc, also the breeder of the winner and his dam Inconciente (Kapgarde), a winner over hurdles at Vitré in her 2nd and last race. She then produced eleven foals, of which Lovemec is the 7th winner. However, her best one is still Go For de Houelle (Saint des Saints), notably 3rd in the Stanley 3yo Hurdle Race (L) at Auteuil and then winning twice over fences at Toulouse and again at Auteuil in a claiming race - he nevertheless earned more than €160,000 for his breeder-owner over four and a half years and 32 races. After this Prix Grandak winner, Inconciente gave a Beaumec de Houelle filly and another by Ectot.

 

OLYMPIC STORY (f3), FRA by Masked Marvel ex Kapkiline (Kapgarde)

Prix Géographie (3-year-old fillies unraced over jumps, 3,000m/1m7f Hurdle race), March 31, 2024, Auteuil

Owners: Alain Jathière, Hamel Stud, François Nicolle

Entraîneur : François Nicolle

Breeders: Jean-Michel et Corinne Tessier

Rider: Angelo Zuliani

After tracking the leader Nonoleta (Almanzor), the favourite Olympic Story (Masked Marvel) made her move at the penultimate hurdle she cleared before putting herself out of reach of her opponents. She passed the post first against the stands' side with a two-length lead over a brave and promising Maniysa Bleue (Buck’s Boum) and also promising 3rd-place finisher Altura (Goliath du Berlais). Nonoleta stayed on in 4th.

Olympic Story was purchased for €95,000 as a ayearling at the Auctav online sale in August 2022 by bloodstock agent Nicolas Bertran de Balanda. Bred by Jean-Michel and Corinne Tessier, she was consigned by Haras de Clairefontaine. She is the 2nd foal out of the good Kapkiline (Kapgarde), 3rd in a Ferdinand Dufaure 4yo Chase (Gr1) at Auteuil. The dam is a fine produce of the Haras des Coudraies and descends from the same line as the champion chaser Kotkijet. Olympic Story’s younger sister, Maskiline (Masked Marvel), however, did not find a buyer at the same sales a year later. A Doctor Dino filly was born last year.

 

GIVERNY (f3), FRA by Almanzor ex Gonzeville (Le Havre)

Prix des Grès (Unraced 3-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1m), March 28, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Écurie Griezmann, Gérard Augustin-Normand

Trainer: Philippe Decouz

Breeder: Gestut Zur Kuste

Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

Also entered in a 10f maiden just two days later, Giverny (Almanzor) found herself momentarily hemmed in after being nudged back in the pack—a common plight when riders vie early for the same spot. Dropping from 2nd to 3rd rank, this twist of fate proved serendipitous, showcasing Giverny's considerable prowess. Still trailing mid-pack one out, Écurie Griezmann and Gérard Augustin-Normand's representative unleashed a stunning burst of speed, overtaking the staunch favourite, Galaxie Vega (Lope de Vega), who had just got the better of the other frontrunners, whom she had travelled with outside. Giverny clinched victory by a good length, nboth early three lengths clear of Felicia (Wootton Bassett) in third, while Almaly (Siyouni) found no room to manoeuvre behind the leaders on the rail.

Snapped up for €135,000 by John Hammond and Broadhurst (Laurent Benoît) at the Arqana October yearling sale, Giverny is the third foal out of the maiden Gonzeville (Le Havre), following Bolshkinov (Camacho), runner-up in the 2022 Prix François Boutin (L). Post-racing career, Gonzeville changed hands twice—first for €16,000 fresh off the track, then for €150,000, in foal to Recorder, to Crispin de Moubray, buoyed by her sister Teppal's (Camacho) triumph in the Poule d’Essai…

She doesn't hold any classic entry.

 

FORESEEN (c3), GB by Kingman ex Discipline (Dansili)

Prix des Fontaines (Unraced 3-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m), March 28, 2024, Chantilly

Owner: Juddmonte Farms

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ireland

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Time will reveal the true calibre of this field. Still, it's noteworthy that four colts stood out, suggesting the also-rans might harbour hopes of redemption, particularly given their debutant status.
Quick off the mark alongside favourite No Lunch (Dubawi), Foreseen (Kingman) launched an early assault and managed to fend off the challengers after shaking off his main competitor. Trailing them for most of the race, Caladbolg (Almanzor) found it tough to break free but unleashed a strong finish to narrowly miss out by a head, one and a half lengths ahead of Montebelyo (The Grey Gatsby), his companion in second place till then.
The only one among this leading quartet to have rallied from behind, Evergreen (Night of Thunder) just missed the podium by a head after covering significant ground mid-track. As the winner's stablemate, he, too, will be one to watch.
Foreseen's dam, Discipline (Dansili), was acquired for £42,000 in December 2022, in foal to Almanzor, by Poonawalla Astonish Stud. A winner of two races, including a Listed at 3, she has also produced a 2-year-old filly by Blue Point.
Foreseen, currently without further entries, is listed for the upcoming Tattersalls Guineas sale…

 

TALISE (c3), FRA by Cracksman ex Inner Sea (Henrythenavigator)

Prix Goodly (Maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings, 2,400m/1m4f), March 26, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Anoj Don, Daniel Macauliffe

Trainer: Christopher Head

Breeder: Écurie de Cachene

Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

Having shown promise with a third-place finish on debut over 9.5f, racing wide among a quality field, then third again at Fontainebleau over 11f, dropping slightly back, Talise (Cracksman) was tipped as the favourite to break his maiden here – and he delivered. The charge of Anoj Don and Daniel Macauliffe seized the lead in the softened ground, pulling away to clinch victory over the promising newcomer Mr Diafoirus (Sir Percy) by more than a length. In a commendable performance, another debutant, Jean Pic (Lope de Vega), surged to grab third, edging out the worthy Spinello (Cracksman).

Snapped up for €40,000 by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock at the Baden-Baden sales in August 2022, Talise is out of a dam sold privately for €13,000, in foal to Zarak, at the Arqana breeding sales 2021. The resulting filly was sold for £52,000 to Broadhurst (Laurent Benoît) at last October's Tattersalls sales and is slated for the upcoming Arqana breeze-ups this May.

Inner Sea (Henrythenavigator), Talise's dam, may have failed to win a race, but she's a sibling to Erupt (Dubawi), victor of the Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1) among other distinctions, and also hails from the esteemed Niarchos breeding operation.

Talise has entries in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club and the Grand Prix de Paris.

 

WASABI (f3), FRA by Soldier’s Call ex Idle Tears (Selkirk)

Prix Mirska (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 2,400m/1m4f), March 26, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Shinji Okamoto

Trainer: Hiroo Shimizu

Breeder: Philippe Brosset

Rider: Jacky Nicolau

Wasabi (Soldier’s Call) added some spice to this maiden as the beginner left her rivals trailing across the challenging 1m1/2 gruelling turf. Making her move from the bend, Shinji Okamoto's filly overpowered the field, who had jostled for position at the start and into the first turn in vain hopes of securing a decisive lead, unaware of this talented newcomer's ability.

Finishing a distant 19 lengths behind was Dame Quant (Masar), two and a half lengths ahead of the favourite Raybiya (Almanzor), who was hampered at the start – nearly three minutes before the climax, herself five lengths ahead of a gallant front-runner, Queen of Kharaman (Isfahan).

Five of the nine contenders benefitted from a weight allowance, including the first two finishers.

Wasabi was secured for €75,000 as a yearling at the Arqana October sales by Code 73 Agency (Davy Bonilla). She is the ninth foal out of Idle Tears (Selkirk), a maiden after fifteen outings over three seasons for Darley. This makes Wasabi the dam's third winner, with no previous progeny winning more than once.

Wasabi's Golden Horde brother colt was sold to Richard Fahey for €16,000 at the last Deauville August yearling sales.

 

BEAUTIFOAL (f3), (IRE) by Motivator ex Notion of Beauty (Harlan’s Holiday)

Prix Monade (Unraced 3-year-old Fillies, 2,000m/1m2f), March 21, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Écurie Tygaly, La Flèche Racing, Chauvigny Global Equine, Seror Racing Management, Étienne Durand, Mathieu Brasme

Trainer: Mathieu Brasme

Breeder: Josephina Verkerk

Rider: Augustin Madamet

Always well-placed just behind the leaders but ridden rather early to keep up with the leaders, Beautifoal (Motivator) bravely sustained her effort to the end, edging out another gallant filly, Zarakiva (Zarak), by just a neck.

Coming from slightly further back, the favourite Zindra (Golden Horn) made up ground on the outside to claim 3rd place, nearly two lengths away, with the pace-setter Stars and Away (Sea the Stars) finishing in 4th place.

Beautifoal had been entered as early as last October. Her dam, the American mare Notion of Beauty (Harlan’s Holiday), was bought back for $105,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland sales and raced in Great Britain, where she remained a maiden despite attempts at a very modest level on all-weather tracks.

Beautifoal was sold for €33,000 as a yearling at the Arqana October sales to Chauvigny Global Equine, who is now co-owner of the filly. A year later, last October, Beautifoal's younger brother by Sioux Nation was knocked down for €90,000 to Amanda Skiffington, again in Deauville. He is in training with Gavin Hernon.

A filly by Seabhac was born in 2023.

 

KALET (c3), FRA by Le Havre ex Karsabruni (Speedmaster)

Prix Suave Dancer (Unraced 3-year-old colts and geldings, 2,000m/10f), March 21, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Chevotel Racing

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeder: Chevotel de la Hauquerie

Rider: Enzo Crublet

In a field of fifteen for this maiden race for 3-year-olds over 1m1/4, the front-runner Kalet (Le Havre) had the final say, showcasing remarkable tenacity as he managed to regain the lead over the favourite Babakool (Dubawi), who had been tracking closely behind. Only a head separated the top two, with the winner benefiting from a 5-pound apprentice allowance, while five lengths back, Newlook (New Bay), finishing strongly, just managed to edge out Existentialiste (Magna Grecia) by a nose, the latter having been prominently placed throughout the race.

Kalet's dam, Karsabruni (Speedmaster), a Gr3 winner in Germany over 11 furlongs before failing in the German Oaks, was bred by Horst Rapp, the promoter of Chevotel. Kalet did not go to the sales. However, his 6-year-old full sister Karlarina (Le Havre) was bought back for €150,000 last December in Deauville after winning the Prix de la Poste de Madrid (L), a 1m4f race that took place shortly after Kalet's maiden victory.

A full sister to Kalet was born in 2022.

 

CONVO (f2), IRE by Kodiac ex Quick Chat (First Defence)

Prix du Début (Unraced 2-year-olds, 900m/4.5f), March 21, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: D. Macauliffe, A. Don

Trainer: Amy Murphy

Breeder: Coseda

Rider: Tony Piccone

Getting off to a flying start behind the pace-setter Herrenchiemsee (Goken), the British filly Convo (Kodiac), trained by the last winner's handler Amy Murphy, took the final furlong by storm. She crossed the finish line a commanding five lengths ahead of her closest competitor, leaving Bombonera (Birchwood) to clinch a distant third at twenty lengths.

Convo was snapped up as a foal for €60,000 at Goffs in 2022. Though her dam never broke her maiden, she hails from the esteemed breeding grounds of Juddmonte, who sold for £7,000 to Convo's breeders, Coseda.

This lineage boasts the likes of Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) victor Epicuris (Rail Link), whose dam is a sister to Convo's dam. Convo's elder sister by Epaulette, Jibber Jabber, secured two runner-up spots during her 2-year-old summer in maidens at Deauville in 2020 before bagging two wins stateside.

 

BLUSH (f3), (IRE) by Kingman ex Lady of Shamrock (Scatt Daddy)

Prix Talweg (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), March 18, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias

Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

After a sharp break, the favourite Blush (Kingman) was strongly held up onloy to come back outside the leaders, making her move around the field to take command early on and effortlessly secure a win by over two lengths, marking a significant step up nearly a hundred days following her mile debut at Deauville where she finished 6th.

Runner-up Le Combat Continue (De Treville), showing form after finishing 3rd earlier this year, rallied late to clear a path but couldn’t match the winner, while Mqse du Berger (Kendargent), taking the wide route, powered home to a commendable 6th, in a blanket finish with others ahead.

Blush's dam, Lady of Shamrock (Scatt Daddy), a dual Gr1 winner in California at three and subsequently placed at the highest level in the USA the following year, was acquired by the Wertheimers for $2m at the Keeneland breeding sales in 2016. She has since produced eight foals, the standout being Martel (Frankel), born in 2019, a Listed winner and 3rd in the Prix du Lys (Gr3) over 1m1/2. Last December, bloodstock agent Shawn Dugan secured another of her offspring, the 3-year-old winner Eriu (Galileo), for €220,000 at Deauville.

A 2-year-old Saxon Warrior colt is currently being trained by Christophe Ferland.

Blush is in the Prix de Diane Longines.

 

WAHDAN (c3), (IRE) by Siyouni ex Lamorlaye (Danehill Dancer)

Prix Tandem (Maiden 3-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,900m/9.5F AWT), March 18, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani, Khalifa Mohammed al Attiyah

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeder: Khalifa Mohammed al Attiyah

Rider: Cristian Demuro

Having made a commendable 2nd on his debut in December at Deauville over 9.5f, Wahdan (Siyouni) started as the favourite for his second attempt on the all-weather track at this distance, this time at Chantilly. Held back in this eight-runner race, he gradually made his move in the middle of the track to edge out Hawk Power (Gleneagles), who was stretched out for his 2nd outing.

The winner finally prevailed by a neck over Hawk Power, who had long contended with the pace-setter Gretzky (Medaglia d’Oro), worn towards the end but still 3rd despite the strong finish of the newcomer Old Lion Cen (Churchill), who had seemed to level off earlier. In te beginner's defense, Wahdan's acceleration from in the 2nd last furlong, which he covered in 11.18 seconds, seemed to leave everyone else behind. The Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani and breeder Khalifa Mohammed al Attiyah's representative didn't really falter afterwards (11.44 seconds in the last furlong).

The winner’s dam, Lamorlaye (Danehill Dancer), won a race at 3 years old, over 6.5f at Craon. She was bought back for €145,000 at the Arqana yearling sales and was sold for €200,000 at the end of her sole racing season to Al Shaqab. Her dam, a maiden but Group-placed in Ireland, is a sister to Dylan Thomas (Danehill), Queen’s Logic (Grand Lodge), and Homecoming Queen (Holy Roman Emperor), all three Group 1 winners.

Wahdan too was unsold as a yearling but at Tattersalls, at £140,000. Last summer, his younger brother by Sea the Stars was knocked down for €280,000 at Deauville, to Sackville Donald for Juddmonte. A Zelzal filly was born since.

Wahdan is entered in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club.

 

NIETZSCHE HAS (c3), FRA by Zarak ex Nice to Meet (Martaline)

Prix Rush (3-year-old Colts and Geldings unraced over jumps, Hurdles, 3,000m/1m7f), March 17, 2024, Auteuil

Owner: Edward John James

Trainer: Marcel Rolland

Breeder: Hamel Stud

Rider: Ludovic Philipperon

With thirteen runners instead of seven, and a more lively group at the head of the race, one might have expected the colts' race to be faster than the fillies', but it was not to be as the victor Nietzsche Has (Zarak) took nearly three seconds longer than his stablemate at Marcel Rolland's yard, Sobriquette, to claim victory here.

However, six were still in contention at the penultimate hurdle, as it was only at the last jump that the favourite Hermes Invicta (Harzand), against the stands' rail, was challenged by Nietzsche Has (Zarak), carefully preserved until then, and a formidable Manbonumberfive (Born to Sea), who nonetheless had not had such an easy trip. However, He could not overcome the representative of the Pilarski family, over whom he seemed to have an edge a hundred yards out, while Nietzsche Has surged between his two rivals to sprint away and win by 2 lengths. Behind, Shine Silently (Pastorius) made a good comeback to finish 4th ahead of Rooster Crowning (Chanducoq), the only pretender to have raced over the flat before this.

Bred by Hamel Stud, the winner was sold in July for €240,000 by The Channel Consignment at Arqana, where broker Guy Petit purchased him. His dam, a maiden, is a full sister to the talented Nirvana du Berlais (Martaline). Nietzsche Has belongs to a new British owner, Edward John James, who currently has just two horses in training in France.

 

SOBRIQUETTE (f3), FRA by Goliath du Berlais ex Take the Name (Nickname)

Prix Auricula (3-year-old Fillies unraced over jumps, Hurdles, 3,000m/1m7f), March 17, 2024, Auteuil

Owners: Phœnix Eventing, Haras de l’Hotellerie

Trainer: Marcel Rolland

Breeder: Phœnix Eventing

Rider: Ludovic Philipperon

The favourite at the start of this first major hurdle race for 3-year-olds of the season at Auteuil, Shika du Berlais (Born to Sea) led alone until the penultimate hurdle, when she was challenged by Kirakine (Muhtathir) and Sobriquette (Goliath du Berlais). The former drew level after the last hurdle and took the lead to finish, but Sobriquette then surged past them to win by more than two lengths, Shika du Berlais not disgracing herself in 3rd place, three lengths behind, twenty lengths ahead of the rest.

Sobriquette is the 2nd foal out of the unraced mare Take the Name (Nickname), whose dam, bred by the Aga Khan, was no more illustrious, even though she was a sister to the excellent Tatenen (Lost World), winner of the Finot 3-yo Hurdle Race (L) and the Talhouët-Roy 3yo Hurdle Race (Gr2) before his export to England. Take the Name initially produced a Kapgarde filly who was exported after three fruiless trials, then a 3-year-old Moises Has filly followed and a Nirvana du Berlais filly, now a yearling.

 

OBSESS (f3), FRA by Siyouni ex Aurora Gold (Frankel)

Prix du Bassin des Serruriers (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), March 14, 2024, Chantilly

Owner: Qatar Racing Ltd

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeder: Samuel de Barros

Rider: Coralie Pacaut

Having caught the eye in her debut in December at Deauville and again in January over 6.5 furlongs, but again in Deauville, Obsess (Siyouni) this time trounced her opponents after racing alongside the leader. She won by 3.5 lengths over One Mistress (Lope de Vega), who couldn't match her pace but still broke away from the field.

Initially purchased privately for €240,000 as a yearling at Deauville, and then for €300,000 last May at 2 by David Redvers, agent for Qatar Racing, the filly is out of the unraced Aurora Gold (Frankel), a sister to the champion mare Midday (Oasis Dream) bought for £550,000 by Bertrand Le Métayer from her breeders Juddmonte, in foal to Kingman, which produced the winning filly Poliana. She also has a 2-year-old brother by Persian King in training with Richard Hannon. Obsess has no classic entry.

 

ANTICO (c3), (IRE) by War Front ex Fiesta Dorada (Jump Start)

Prix du Bassin du Prince (Maiden 3-year-old Colts & geldings, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), March 14, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias

Breeder: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Finishing tenth in his debut over one mile in December, then a promising sixth on this course, Antico (War Front) this time proved himself tough enough to fend off a strong challenge from Ignol (Guignol), who quickly drew level with him mid-straight, and whose form so far seems quite similar to that of the winner. A maiden victory seems within his reach!

Antico is out of the Argentine mare Fiesta Dorada (Jump Start), a Group 3 winner over 7 furlongs at Palermo, and 2nd in a Group 2 mile at La Plata, as well as the sister to a Group 1 winner. The mare is now declared exported to the USA. She has also given a 2-year-old Shaman filly in training with Carlos Laffon-Parias. Antico has no classic entry.

 

SPEED HUNTER (c3), FRA by Recorder ex Speed As (Evasive)

Prix Cadet Roussel (Maiden 3-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m), March 12, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Eddir Loungar

Trainer: Ludovic Gadbin

Breeder: Eddir Loungar

Rider: Fabrice Véron

Similar to the fillies' race on this very heavy turf, the favourite was outdone, this time by the front-runner Speed Hunter (Recorder), who fended off a strong challenge from Zryan (Night of Thunder) and then pulled away by three good lengths to win bravely, with Le Ravi (Olympic Glory) finishing in third at a distance.

Eddir Loungar's homebred colt first ran in October at Deauville, finishing 6th over this same distance but on an all-weather track, before taking 3rd at Pornichet, again on sand, and over an extended mile, in November.

Speed Hunter is the first foal out of Speed As (Evasive), who raced 22 times and won three races. She started her career strongly, winning her maiden race at Chantilly, then finishing 2nd early in her 3-year-old year in the Prix du Pont Neuf (L) over 7 furlongs. She had several attempts at this and higher levels before moving to provincial circuits or handicaps.

She herself had been purchased as a yearling by Keven Borgel at Osarus for €8,000. After Speed Hunter, who is entered in the French Guineas, Speed As produced two Romanised colts.

 

NICE SPIRIT (f3), IRE by Invincible Spirit ex Hanvarana (Leroidesanimaux)

Prix Calandria (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1m), March 12, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Moussa Mbacke

Trainer: Christopher Head

Breeder: Irish National Stud

Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

On a very heavy ground requiring specific skills, Nice Spirit (Invincible Spirit) made a successful return by overcoming the favourite Avenue Montaigne (Zarak), who had just secured a 2nd place for her comeback.

The race was led by Elegant Friend (Dubawi), who quickly faded, and each contender chose their own path, more or less outside, with no section proving particularly advantageous, on a course that was soaked but remained almost new.

Nice Spirit had run twice on the all-weather at Deauville in November before taking a break. Stepped up by three hundred meters here, Moussa Mbacke's filly is out of Hanvarana (Leroidesanimaux), an Aga Khan-bred maiden sold for €100,000 in December 2019, in foal to Charm Spirit, to BBA Ireland. She is a sister to a Group 3 winner, from the same family as Derby-winner Harzand (Sea the Stars). Nice Spirit was purchased at Deauville, too, but last summer for €56,000, at 2, by Broadhurst Agency (Laurent Benoît).

He has no classic entry.

 

LA MANDALA (f3), FRA by City Light ex Galanaa (Naaqoos)

Prix Dushka (Unraced 3-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1m), March 7, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Mrs. Frédéric Head

Trainer: Victoria Head

Breeder: EURL Freddy Head

Rider: Ludovic Boisseau

There was hardly any competition here for the outsider La Mandala (City Light), who quickly took the lead and pulled away at the entrance to the straight, winning by nine lengths. The favourite, Cartimandua (Saxon Warrior), was held back in mid-pack (while, according to the race's tracking system, La Mandala entered the straight 5" earlier than Kiaro's lot...) and had to make a sustained effort to the finish to secure second place, previously held by the other front-runner, Chivère (De Treville). The winner is the 5th foal out of the unraced mare Galanaa (Naaqoos), her 2nd winner after Al Ula (Anodin), a handicap winner with an 80lbs-tag. The mare was sold in foal to Anodin in December 2021 in Deauville for €5,500 to Hana Jurankova. La Mandala is not entered in any Classic race.

 

KIARO (c3), FRA by Guignol ex New York (Declaration of War)

Prix Saint-Simon (Unraced 3-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m), March 7, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Laurent Albouy, Alain Arfi, Ingrid Pantall

Trainer: Henri-Alex Pantall

Breeders: Jérémy Champagne, Laura Vittecocq

Rider: Tony Piccone

Entered four times in August last year, the big Kiaro (Guignol) made his connections wait six months to score a resounding debut win. The February-born initially travelled behind the favourite Ozat (Kingman) alongside Délire (Siyouni). To the last furlong, Ozat somehow held on, but in the closing stages, Kiaro took a resolute command to win by more than two lengths. At the same time, Naxios (Territories) finished pleasingly to take 3rd place, one length behind the favourite.

Kiaro is the first foal out of the unraced German mare New York (Declaration of War), purchased for just €2,000, barren, by European Bloodstock in February 2020. The colt was sold, for his part, in November of his yearling year, again in Deauville and for €16,000 to Paul Nataf. This German family had given a few Listed winners and an Oaks d'Italia (Gr2) winner under the 4th dam.

Kiaro has not been entered in any classic contest.

 

AROUND THE WORLD (f3), FRA by Almanzor ex Daidahana (Shamardal)

Prix de la Croix des Ormeaux (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1m AWT), March 5 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Écurie Jeffroy, Écurie Castillon Bloodstock

Trainer: Xavier Blanchet

Breeders: Écurie de Castillon, SCEA des Prairies

Rider: Tony Piccone

Similar to the colts' race, the form from February 9 prevailed here, but this time, the Haras Assiro/Christopher Head duo had to bow as Vera Cao (Sea the Moon), who had finished 2nd in that maiden race, couldn't hold off again Around the World (Almanzor). She had finished strongly from behind in a paceless race for their debut.

This time, the Jeffroy family's filly took her time behind the leaders. In third position but without any cover since the off despite her four draw, the favourite Vera Cao took the lead two out from the front-runners Didjie (Goken) and Spring Heart (Scissor Kick).

Finally released from her pocket, Around the World soon prevailed. Yet Vera Cao left Spring Heart more than a length behind with Falbala (Night of Thunder), who had a good trip in her wake.

Around the World is the 5th foal out of the maiden mare Daidahana (Shamardal), purchased as a yearling for €140,000 for the Al-Thani family of Qatar, then sold €11,000 to Paul Nataf seven years later, in foal to Ectot.

The mare's 3rd dam was placed in the Nell Gwyn (Gr2) at 3, gave a couple of Gr1 winners (including Grise Mine, winner of the St-Alary), and is a sister to Carry On Katie (Fasliyev), outright winner of the Cheveley Park Stakes (Gr1), at just 2.

The Ectot colt, now a 4-year-old gelding, Dafunk, has just made his hurdling debut with Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé in Saint-Brieuc. A son of Toronado was born in 2022.

Around the World has not been entered in any classic race.

 

ELDIO (c3), IRE par Siyouni et C’est Ça (Galileo)

Prix de la Broutillerie (Maiden 3-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m AWT), March 5 2024, Chantilly

Owner: Haras Assiro

Trainer: Christopher Head

Breeder: China Horse Club International

Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

A good second on his debut over this course and distance a month earlier, Eldio (Siyouni) raced alongside the pace-setter Waikato (Shalaa), back after nearly three months off, and he soon took over in the final phase to win by a good length at 2/1. Waikato couldn't hold on to the second place until the end, being challenged by a closing Agualeto (Recoletos). Coming from even further back, American Lawyer (American Pharoah) snatched third place by a short neck, just a head in front of the leader.

Marco Bozzi purchased the winner for €250,000 at the Arqana sales. Last summer, his full brother was sold for €20,000 more to Chauvigny Global Equine. He is trained by Christophe Head, too, but for Japanese owner Hisaaki Saito. Their elder maiden sibling Thanksgiving (Justify) was sold for only €22,000 last December in Deauville after finishing unplaced at Nantes in her sole outing in the summer of her 3-year-old season…

CA Hutchinson Bloodstock Services acquired her. In 2023, a 3rd Siyouni foal was born, a filly. C'est Ça (Galileo), the dam, was bought for £750,000 as a yearling—her dam won the Frizette Stakes (Gr1), the New York equivalent of the Marcel Boussac—and she was entered in the Prix Saint-Alary and the Prix de Diane. Still, she failed in her only outing, trained by André Fabre, and she was never seen again. Eldio is entered in the Poule d'Essai and the Jockey Club.

 

ZUNA (f3), FRA par Kizuna et Matematica (Rock of Gibraltar)

Prix de la Serpentine (Unraced 3-year-old Fillies, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), March 1st, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias

Breeder: Dayton Investments Ltd

Rider: Maxime Guyon

The favourite of a field of nine fillies, Zuna (Kizuna) did not disappoint after keeping company with the front-runner Mon Idole (Toronado). She accelerated progressively in the final straight to take the lead over her rival. Then she held off the strong finish of Agoria (Zoustar), who had followed them and accelerated well to finish a length behind the winner, a length and a half ahead of Mon Idole. Eliante (Gleneagles) finished well at one length.

Sired by the Japanese champion Kizuna, who took fourth place in an Arc de Triomphe after winning the Prix Niel (Gr2), Zuna is also the first foal out of the German mare Matematica (Rock of Gibraltar) since mated to Zarak and Dubawi and foaling two fillies in succession.

The mare finished 2nd in the Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1) on her second outing and retired at the end of the following season with a Listed victory over 7 furlongs. She herself is out of Mathematicienne (Galileo), also dam of Axiome (Dubawi), bought for €25,000 by Saubouas (Paul Basquin) as a maiden gelding, last November in Deauville.

Zuna's 4th dam is Brooklyn's Dance (Shirley Heights), the dam of Arc winner Solemia.

 

FLYWIRE (c3), FRA by Frankel ex Safari Queen (Lode)

Prix de la Traversière (Unraced 3-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), March 1st, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias

Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Wertheimer&Frère's Flywire (Frankel) was the favourite in this 5-runners race. However, it was no easy task as the colt had to be urged a bit to overcome a resolute Blue Brother (Intello) about two out when he slipped inside the leader Saidi El Fal (Lope de Vega), who had just overtaken the front-runner Tote Bag (Saxon Warrior). Up to a hundred yards out, the three colts contested closely, but Flywire eventually prevailed over Saidi El Fal, who recovered well after a breather. They were separated by less than a length each at the finish, but the last two were nine lengths behind.

Bred by the Wertheimers, Flywire is the 9th foal out of the Argentinian Group 1 winner Safari Queen (Lode). She joined the Wertheimer breeding operation at the end of her racing career and immediately delivered with the dual Listed winner and Group-placed Royalmania (Elusive Quality), sold for €60,000 last December in Deauville, in foal to Camelot.

She also produced the St-Alary (Gr1) winner Queen's Jewel (Pivotal), and right after Flywire, a son of St. Mark's Basilica.

Flywire is not entered in any classic race.