2019 October Maiden winners

PAROUSIA (F3), (GB) by Shamardal ex National Day (Barathea)

Prix du Palais des Congrès (Maiden 3yos, 1,600m/1m), October 31, ParisLongchamp

Owner: Guy Heald
Trainer: Henri-Alex Pantall
Breeder: G.B. Partnership
Rider: Fabien Lefebvre

C’était la septième tentative de Parousia (Shamardal), qui venait de terminer neuvième dans un handicap disputé sur 2 000 mètres. Cependant, la représentante de Guy Heald a dominé assez nettement pour finir Zeitung (Literato), qui a fait illusion pour la victoire jusqu’à cent mètres du poteau après avoir trouvé son chemin le long de la corde. Il résiste de justesse à la bonne fin de course d’Exclusivité (Elusive City) en pleine piste.

Sa mère National Day (Barathea) avait coûté 320 000 £ yearling aux ventes de Tattersalls. Elle a terminé une fois deuxième à 4 ans pour sa deuxième sortie et n’a jamais été placée par ailleurs en neuf autres tentatives. Elle descendait en effet d’une très belle fmaille remontant à la jument royale Highclere, gagnante du Prix de Diane 1974 pour Elizabeth II d’Angleterre et sœur de la troisième mère de National Day. Du reste, sitôt au haras, cette jument, elle-même sœur du gagnant de Lockinge Stakes (Gr1) Fly to the Stars (Bluebird), produisit Peace at Last (Oasis Dream), gagnant des Deux Mille Guinées allemandes, la Mehl-Mulhens Rennen (Gr2).

Un frère par Siyouni vient d’ailleurs d’être adjugé yearling aux ventes Tattersalls pour 20 000 £. Cette tardive victoire de sa sœur remontera sans doute encore les actions de la famille.

TOTO EST SORTI (G3), FRA by Martaline ex Singapore Belle (Sagacity)

Prix Diatome (Maiden 3yos, 2 800m), October 26, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Haras de la Huderie & Nicolas Bellanger
Trainer: Nicolas Bellanger
Breeder: Haras de la Huderie
Rider: Fabien Lefebvre

Après avoir animé toute la course et semblé tenir la victoire, Waugh (Rip Van Winkle) a vu la victoire lui échapper lorsque Toto Est Sorti (Martaline), encore parmi les derniers à l’entrée de la dernière ligne droite, a fondu sur lui pour s’imposer d’une encolure.

Le représentant du Haras de la Huderie et de son entraîneur Nicolas Bellanger avait débuté par une chute de son jockey à Divonne alors qu’il tentait de se rapprocher dans le tournant final. Cinquième trois semaines plus tard à Compiègne sur 3 000 mètres, il a donc concrétisé dans ce maiden de stayers.

Toto est Sorti était absent de la vente d’automne où il était engagé l’an dernier à 2 ans, mais sa sœur Zouk (Delegator), deux fois placée de Listed sur la distance, a été vendue 40 000 € à Philippe Jaeckin aux ventes d’élevage Arqana l’an dernier. Leur mère Singapore Belle (Sagacity) a pris la troisième place d’un Prix Bournosienne (Gr3) sur les haies d’Auteuil. Elle a aussi donné un mâle de Masker Marvel en 2018 au haras de Montaigu, poulain dont elle était pleine lorsqu’elle a été vendue 47 000 € à Arqana.

NAT KING (C2), GB by Nathaniel ex Shivering (Royal Applause)

Prix de Saint-Désir (Unraced 2yo Colts & Geldings, 1,600m/1m), October 24, Deauville

Owner: Felipe Hinojosa
Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias
Breeder: Yeguada de Milagro
Rider: Olivier Peslier

Scénario amusant au bout de ce mile puisque l’animateur de la course, Nat King (Nathaniel), qui semblait débordé à mi-ligne droite et avait d’ailleurs été dépassé par trois concurrents, revenait progressivement prendre le dessus pour augmenter son avance sur ses rivaux, seulement menacé pour finir par le bon finisseur Gold Trip (Outstrip), tenu à une tête sur le fil.

Nat King était le mieux sorti des stalles de départ.

Élevé en Grande-Bretagne, il a été inscrit aux ventes de yearlings Tattersalls mais n’a pas été présenté. Sa mère Shivering (Royal Applause), placée de Listed à Tipperary, est une sœur d’un très bon sprinter anglais, The Trader (Selkirk), gagnant du prix du Gros-Chêne (Gr2) et deuxième de « l’Abbaye » (Gr1).

SPEAK OF THE DEVIL (F2), FRA by Wootton Bassett ex Moranda (Indian Rocket)

Prix d’Hotot-en-Auge (Unraced 2yo Fillies, 1,600m/1m), October 24, Deauville

Owner: Rashit Shaykhutdinov
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Breeder: Hervé Viallon
Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

Elles étaient douze, pas moins, pour débuter sur une piste très lourde et un parcours de 1 600 mètres. Bien partie puis reprise à la corde, Speak of the Devil (Wootton Bassett) a pu se rapprocher sans encombre côté corde et dominer après lutte l’animatrice Perle d’Ivoire (Starspangledbanner), probablement moins à son aise sur une piste alourdie.

L’élève de Hervé Viallon, née dans le Calvados, a été vendue foal par l’élevage des Trois Rivières à Deauville, et achetée alors par Meridian International (Ghislain Bozo). Elle est réapparue aux ventes de Deauville yearling, où elle a été cédée par le Haras d’Étreham à Fabrice Chappet pour 62 000 €.

Là-dessus, les Trois Rivières ont présenté Moranda (Indian Rocket) aux ventes de Deauville pleine d’Almanzor. Cette sœur du très bon sprinter Myasun (Panis), mère aussi de Morando (Kendargent), gagnant des St Simon Stakes (Gr3), des Ormonde Stakes (Gr3) et, moins de trois semaines avant la première victoire de sa sœur, des Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Gr3) a été rachetée pour 62 000 € !

GULLIBLE (F2), IRE by Make Believe ex Basira (Azamour)

Prix de Lexington (Maiden 2yo Fillies, 2,000m/10f), October 23, Deauville

Owner: Cotton House Bloodstock
Trainer: Robert Collet
Breeders: Knocktoran Stud & Beshellstown Trading Co.
Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Onzième pour ses débuts à Compiègne sur 1 400 mètres seize jours avant cette première victoire, Gullible (Make Believe) avait été rallongée de six cents mètres-ce qui n’est pas rien- et elle n’a cessé de gagner du terrain sur ses poursuivantes dans les deux cents derniers mètres dans ce terrain très lourd de Deauville.

Racheté 28 000 € par La Motteraye Consignment aux ventes Arqana d’août 2018, Gullible est issue de Basira (Azamour), une élève de l’Aga Khan inédite, sœur du gagnant de Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1) Behkabad (Cape Cross), lui aussi issu de Behkara (Kris), gagnante du Prix Chaudenay (Gr2) et stayer émérite.

Basira elle-même avait été achetée 75 000 € aux ventes d’élevage Arqana en fin d’année de 3 ans.

GREEN SPIRIT (G2), FRA by Charm Spirit ex Green Speed (Green Tune)

Prix de Kildare (Maiden 2yo Colts & Geldings, 2,000m/10f), October 23, Deauville

Owner: Jeff Smith
Trainer: Myriam Bollack-Badel
Breeder: Jeff Smith
Rider: Alexis Badel

Sixième à Dieppe en juillet sur 1 400 mètres, puis septième sur 1 600 mètres à Deauville, deuxième après lutte à Compiègne sur 1 800 mètres, Green Spirit (Charm Spirit) a donc eu besoin de deux kilomètres pour gagner sa première course. Face à cinq adversaires, l’élève de Jeff Smith a gagné à la lutte, résistant jusqu’au bout à Nemean Lion (Golden Horn), représentant l’écurie Godolphin.

Comme sa mère Green Speed (Green Tune), Green Spirit est né en France, et comme sa mère, il est entraîné par Myriam Bollack-Badel. Elle a gagné en fin d’année de 2 ans à Longchamp, puis a pris la troisième place du Prix Rose de Mai (L) dès le mois de mars suivant. Sa deuxième mère, la sprinteuse Blue Siren (Bluebird), remporta les Nunthorpe Stakes (Gr1) à York mais fut rétrogradée à la deuxième place.

Green Speed a aussi donné un mâle par Olympic Glory l’an dernier.

LIN CHONG (C2), GB by Muhaarar ex Reroute (Acclamation)

Prix de Varanville (Maiden 2yos, 1,200m/6f), October 22, Deauville

Owner: Hurun Racing
Trainer: Paul Cole
Breeder: Rabbah Bloodstock
Rider: Olivier Peslier

Parti le plus vite, Lin Chong (Muhaarar) a dominé nettement d’un bout à l’autre pour s’imposer par trois longueurs sur Jenufa (Hunter’s Light). C’était la cinquième sortie du pensionnaire de Paul Cole, en Angleterre. Il avait déjà terminé deux fois troisième dont une première fois en France à Deauville derrière Golden Boy et Matello.

Racheté 32 000 £ yearling, il a en revanche été vendu 40 000 € aux breeze-up Arqana en mai dernier à Mandore International (Nicolas de Watrigant) et Oliver Cole, le fils de l’entraîneur.

Sa mère Reroute (Acclamation) est placée de Listed à 3 ans, mais elle n’a jamais regagné après ses débuts victorieux à York en juin de ses 2 ans. Elle fut plusieurs fois déclarée non-partante au moindre assouplissement du terrain.

Visiblement, Lin Chong ne souffre pas de la même aversion pour la pluie.

KRAQUANTE (F2), (GB) by Bated Breath ex Desert Image (Beat Hollow)

Prix de la Faisanderie (Maiden 2yo Fillies, 1,400m / 7F), October 20, ParisLongchamp

Owners: AGV Karwin Stud & Écurie Bartok
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Breeders: Haras du Logis & Haras des Évées
Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

Kraquante (Bated Breath) hasn't run since her sixth-placed debut at Dieppe, in June over 5 1/2 furlongs. Owned by AGV Karwin Stud and Ecurie Bartok, a syndicate managed like the Ecurie Vivaldi by Didier Krainc, Kraquante ran alongside a front-running Haseefah (Teofilo), took off two out followed by Allucination (Lope Vega), who never managed to become a threat as Kraquante was driven away to pass the post with more than two lengths to spare over Allucination. Ellerslie Lace (Siyouni) finished well in third, at almost two lengths, coming back from the rear.

Intriguing detail: it took her 12''67 to run the last furlong, faster than the colts race earlier that day and faster than the 3 year-old fillies in the Prix de Saint-Cyr (L). The total time of this Prix de la Faisanderie is longer than the two others but Kraquante's last furlong is still remarkable.

Kraquante was bought € 55,000 by Mandore International (Nicolas de Watrigant) at the Deauville sales. Her older brother by Dream Ahead is entered at the Tattersalls Horses in training sale at the end of the month. He's still owned by his breeder, Juddmonte, who has sold the Listed-placed Desert Image (Beat Hollow), Kraquante's dam, carrying Kraquante, for £ 45,000 in December 2016. The mare is a sister to champions Zafonic (Gone West) and Zamindar (Gone West).

KING PACHA (C2), (IRE) by Acclamation ex Regina Mundi (Montjeu)

Prix de la Brêche aux Loups (Maiden 2yo Colts & Geldings, 1,400m / 7F), October 20, ParisLongchamp

Owner: NBH Racing
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Breeders: San Paolo Agri-Stud & Rathbarry Stud
Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

Well placed behind the leader Lipsink (Kodiac) by the rail, King Pacha (Acclamation) had to wait before going in between Lipsink and Amour en Poême (Poet’s Voice), who was coming along. In the end, the race became quite testing on a very heavy ground, King Pacha has finally taken over to win by 3/4 of a length, but clearly, in front of Amour en Poême and Jean Racine (Rajsaman), who finished well and beat Lipsink for the third place.

This was King Pacha's third race. He started off with a good second place on Deauville's fibresand, a neck behind Santurin, who won again immediately after. Then, the NBH Racing-onwed colt had to settle for a sixth place in Lyon-Parilly over a mile in a race won by The Summit, whom he had beaten for their debut.

King Pacha was bought € 150,000 at the Deauville sales by agent Paul Nataf, who had already bought him as a weanling for € 75,000, and also bought his Australia sister last summer for € 190,000. It must be said that he is a brother of Rocques (Lawman), the winner of the Prix d'Aumale (Gr3) last year at 2, and a good fourth in a Group 3 this summer at Goodwood. A Pivotal filly was also born this year.

STRATAGEM (G3), FRA by Sunday Break ex Our Ziga (Linamix)

Prix Emilius (3yos unraced over jumps, 3,600m/18F Hurdles), October 19, Auteuil

Owner: Alain-Jules Lefort
Trainer: Daniela Mèle
Breeders: Olivier Triboire & Écurie des Jap
Rider: Geoffrey Ré

It is from start to finish, flashing high his tail, that the gray Stratagem (Sunday Break) dominated for his debut this beginners race. It was a first starter and a first winner for new trainer Daniela Mele, whose two other racing trainees on the day also won at Paray-Le Monial on that day. The winner beats Solo (Kapgarde) by three lengths after showing him the way the whole time, while the third-placed Saint Chely (Saint des Saints), who closed in in the final turn, finished well five lengths down.

Stratagem is the eighth foal out of Our Ziga (Linamix), a mare bred by Lagardère Élevage who ran twice unsuccessfully for owner-trainer Guy Cherel. She has already foaled Ziga Boy (Califet), a chase winner at Moulins, then in England on long distance, twice.

Our Ziga, who also gave birth to Stratagem in Maine-et-Loire for breeders Olivier Triboire and Écurie des Jap, is out of Zigaura (Ziggy's Boy), third of the Moyglare Stud Stakes (Gr1) at 2 in Ireland and placed several times during her first season.

After Stratagem, Our Ziga gave this year Ultime Atome (Castle du Berlais), for the same breeders.

KHANCHAYM (F3), FRA by Siyouni ex Breath of Love (Mutakddim)

Prix de la Barrière du Trône (3yo Maiden, 1,400m / 7F), October 17, ParisLongchamp

Owner: Ecurie Naiman
Trainer: Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez
Breeder: Haras d’Étreham
Rider: Maxime Pouchin

Seventh for her debut in April over 6 furlongs at Chantilly, then ninth, five months later in a Marseilles mile race, Khanchaym (Siyouni) dead-heated with Blue Cup (read below), who joined her on the wire. The filly fled a furlong out and the race seemed to be well at hand but she faded while her rival loomed on this heavy ground favouring the closers.

Khanchaym was paid € 72,000 at the Arqana sales by MAB Agency (Marc-Antoine Berghgracht). In total, eight of the dam Breath of Love (Mutakddim)'s foals went through the sales ring at Deauville at least once. She'd won a Group 3 in Milan to sign off her resume for owner Nelson Radwan before entering stud. She notably gave birth to Beauty of Love (Elusive City), winner of the Prix Miss Satamixa (L) on Deauville's fibresand, and Bocaiuva (Teofilo), also a Listed winner.

Her last foal to date is a Scissor Kick filly.

BLUE CUP (G3), FRA by Kendargent ex Hunter Forward (Galileo)

Prix de la Barrière du Trône (3yo Maiden, 1,400m / 7F), October 17, ParisLongchamp

Owners: Michael Watt & Crispin de Moubray
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Breeder: Michael Watt
Rider: Maxime Guyon

Rushing back from the rear on a heavy ground, Blue Cup (Kendargent) only failed to pass Khanchaym (read above) on the wire. It was a sixth trial for the Michael Watt and Crispin de Moubray-owned gelding, who had just finished a good second on a faster course at Compiègne. Blue Cup was gelded in may and hadn't raced from April to July.

He was sold € 95,000 at Arqana to Federico Barberini in October 2017. His dam, the Australian Hunter Forward (Galileo) began her career with four unsuccessful Australian sprints, was then shipped to England and won two races around 10 furlongs there, before continuing her journey with a trip to the the USA, where she took two places before finally entering stud.

She first gave the maiden La Marche (Americain), who has not won once in ten races, then Blue Cup, and since then another Kendargent filly before being sent back to Australia.

GLYCON (G3), FRA by Le Havre ex Glorious Sight (Singspiel)

Prix de Pantin (3yo Maiden, 1,800m 9F), October 17, ParisLongchamp

Owner: Haras de Saint-Pair
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Breeder: Haras de Saint-Pair
Rider: Cristian Demuro

The two unraced runners dominated the field as Glycon (Le Havre) catered home to score by 5 lengths over Best Bowl (Le Havre), a well finishing second best, ahead of Aquastar (Sea the Stars), who tried early in the straight but just couldn't cope with two better horses on the day. It was also an exacta for French leading sire Le Havre.

Gelded in May, Glycon is out of Glorious Sight (Singspiel), who raced for the Strauss silks and finished 2nd in a French 1,000 Guineas (Gr1) and was later sold for €1.7m at the 2011 Arc sale to Oceanic Bloodstock. Glycon's younger Dubawi sister was sold £ 450,000 only a week before this impressive win at Tattersalls.

The 2nd dam is no other than Zelding (Warning), dam of Beauty is Truth (Pivotal), who gave the classic Galileo fillies Hydrangea and Hermosa.

ONLY THE BRAVE (C2), FRA by Iffraaj ex Crystals Sky (Hernando)

Prix de Belleville (Unraced 2yo Colts & Geldings, 1,800m / 9F), October 17, ParisLongchamp

Owner: Eckhard Sauren
Trainer: Henk Grewe
Breeder: Écurie des Monceaux
Rider: Antoine Hamelin

After galloping in the second row on a heavy ground, behind the leading Darkot (Wootton Bassett) and Royal Ghost (Invincible Spirit), Only the Brave (Iffraaj) fought for the lead one furlong out and finally took over to saty ahead of Ashgabat (Dubawi), who finished like a train after taking time to find momentum. Royal Ghost stayed on in third ahead of Reventador (Zoffany), who finished nicely.

Only the Brave was bought € 37,000 at the Arqana sales in October last year by French trainer Carina Fey. Last August, her sister by Sepoy was bought € 51,000 by Ecurie Melanie. The catalogue page has received major upgrades in the meantime as Marianafoot (Footstepsinthesand), who also descends from the Only the Brave's 2nd dam, won a Grand Prix in Qatar and took a second place in the Prix de la Porte Maillot (Gr3).

After Only the Brave, the dam Crystals Sky (Hernando) gave a Sepoy filly mentionned earlier, then another filly by Toronado she was carryning when she was sold, again, for € 55,000 to Chauvigny Global Equine, last December.

ANCA (F2), FRA by French Fifteen ex Ampersand (Rail Link)

Prix de la Chapelle (Unraced 2yo Fillies, 1,800m / 9F), October 17, ParisLongchamp

Owner: Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani
Trainer: Yan Durepaire
Breeder: Haras de Victot
Rider: Olivier Peslier

A photo-finish was required for Anca (French Fifteen) to be declared the winner here after duelling with Alkandora (Nathaniel) all the way to the post. The former passed between horses two out while her rival had to circle around a bunch of stayers. Miss Vienna (Wiener Waltzer), who was ridden early to take the lead, held on for the 3rd place about 2 lengths down.

Anca is the second foal out of the unraced Ampersand (Rail Link), a mare sold €47,000 last Februrary at Deauville in foal to Olympic Glory. She's out of the Gr2-winner Well Warned (Warning), like champion sprinter Prohibit (Oasis Dream), and Listed winner Prior Warning (Barathea). A Shalaa colt was bred in 2018.

GUARDIAN FAY (F3), IRE by Soldier Hollow ex Guardia (Monsun)

Prix Vamos (Maiden 3yos, 2,400m / 1m4f), October 16, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Stall Ullmann
Trainer: Jean-Pierre Carvalho
Breeder: Stall Ullmann
Rider: Maxime Guyon

With four second places in six outings since her debut at Hoppegarten last April, Guardian Fay (Soldier Hollow) has been flirting with victory for quite some time. before her saint-Cloud romp, she had just finished 2nd thre times at Clairefontaine and Maisons-Laffitte. But she has completely dominated this time, breaking away in the last 2 furlongs after leaning against the stands rail. She leaves here her nearest opponent Ivonne (Authorized) at six and a half lengths.

A brother to Guardian Fay by Sea the Stars has just been sold € 48,000 at Goffs in Ireland, which is not excessive on paper as the dam Guardia (Monsun) is the own sister to champions Getaway (Monsun) and Guadalupe (Monsun), who herself gave Guignol (Cape Cross).

OCÉAN ATLANTIQUE (C3), USA by American Pharoah ex Tare Green (Giant’s Causeway)

Prix Victrix (2yo Maiden Colts & Geldings, 1,600m / 1m), October 11, Chantilly

Owners: Sue Magnier, Derrick Smith et Michael Tabor
Trainer: André Fabre
Breeder: Indian Creek
Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

Océan Atlantique (American Pharoah) has crushed his rivals in this 2nd attempt, winning by 8 lenghts on a heavy ground that his sire, the US Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, probably never experienced!

Beaten by Ketil first time out on this very course and distance, bu on good ground, Ocean Atlantique had already made headlines reaching €1.1m at the Arqana breeze-up in May, where Broadhurst Agency (Lawrence Benoît) secured him in the name of Michael-Vincent Magnier. In September in Keeneland, he'd been was purchased for $ 275,000 by Grove Stud from his breeder, Indian Creek. He is very well bred since his dam, the unraced Tare Green (Giant's Causeway) , is a sister to the Brazilian-bred champion Leroidesanimaux (Candy Stripes) whose second dam is Kerali, dam of Hasili, who gave the great Banks Hill, Intercontinental, Champs Elysees, etc.

ROLLEVILLE (F2), FRA by Rock of Gibraltar ex Racemate (Hurricane Run)

Prix Barquette (2yo Maiden Fillies, 1,600m / 1m), October 16, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Gérard Augustin-Normand
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Breeder: Franklin Finance
Rider: Cristian Demuro

Third for her debut in July at Dieppe over 7 furlongs, then beaten by more than ten lengths after fading in the lead on the same mile trip at Saint-Cloud at the end of September, Rolleville (Rock of Gibraltar) came back with a hood and a sheepskin noseband. It seemed to do the trick. Always ridden near the lead in a smaller field, she was able to slip between the outer rail and her opponents to dominate after fending off Anobar (Anodin), beaten a good length, while  what remained of the opposition trailed five lengths and more behind.

Rolleville's older sister, Bourdainville (Le Havre) was sold for € 5,000, barren, at the Arqana breeding sales late last year. Her dam Racemate (Hurricane Run) joined Gérard Augustin-Normand's yard in 2011, for € 205,000, after winning three handicaps and the Prix Ronde de Nuit (L) in three months. With this first success of her fifth foal, she now gave four winners after the successes of Ozeville (Le Havre), Gourel (Le Havre) and Morsan (Rajsaman). Rolleville's fourth dam is the dam of Coup de Folie, who gave Coup de Genie, Machiavellian, Exit to Nowhere, etc.

A sister to Rolleville by Rajsaman was born last year.

ALL COME TRUE (F2), FRA by Intello ex Smyrnes (Anabaa)

Prix des Terroirs de France (Unraced 2yos, 1,200m / 6f), October 15, Chantilly

Owner: Écurie Jean-Louis Bouchard
Trainer: Freddy Head
Breeder: Haras du Quesnay
Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

All Come True (Intello) fought bravely to resist Dilawara (Dream Ahead) all the way to the post in this 6 furlong straight course she led from one end to the other. Third-placed Missy Perfect (Gleneagles) failed at ¾ of a length while a short neck seperates the first two.

These successful beginnings are timely since All Come True's own brother goes on sale at the Arqana October sale. She herself was sold by the Haras du Quesnay as a weanling for €30,000 to Chantilly Bloodstock (Gerard Larrieu). The dam Smyrnes (Anabaa) won only one race but she is a sister to Silver Pond (Act One), winner of Group 3 in France over 1m1/2 and placed in Group 1 on the same trip, and also Silver Point (Commands), winner of a Grand Prix de la Riviéra (L) at Cagnes-sur-mer.

Smyrnes has foald a Zelzal filly lately.

AIGRETTE MOTETTE (F3), FRA by Lope de Vega ex Aigrette Garzette (Peintre Célèbre)

Prix de la Salle du Sphynx (3yo Maiden Fillies, 2,000m / 1m2f), October 11, Chantilly

Owner: Gestüt Ammerland
Trainer: André Fabre
Breeder: Gestüt Ammerland
Rider: Hugo Besnier

A hard-fought victory for Aigrette Motette (Lope de Vega), favorite here but pushed along early in the last straight to overcome Solkia (Makfi), who'd come way along the rail and second only beaten by half a length after looking like a potential winner. Olympic Light (Olympic Glory) finishes well in third ahead of Ni Chaud Ni Froid (Norse Dancer).

Aigrette Motette had started on her previous outing with a second place, less than one length behind Wanderwell, later sixth in a Listed race, and also ahead of Solkia.

The winner is out of Aigrette Garzette (Famous Painter), who was bought last December for only £ 10,000, barren, by Ballylinch stud, as consignor. She won in Germany and finished third in the German Prix de Diane (Gr1) for Gestüt Ammerland. She gave only one winner before that one, who passed away prematurely.

Her dam Aigrette (Gone West) was bred by Chryss O'Reilly.

ROBIN DU BOIS (G3), FRA by Kandahar Run ex Ballymaloe (Big Shuffle)

Prix de la Salle du Sycomore (3yo Maiden Colts & Geldings, 2,000m / 1m2f), October 11, Chantilly

Owner: Hubert Brenckle
Trainer: Carmen Bocskai
Breeder: Hubert Brenckle
Rider: Antoine Coutier

Robin du Bois (Kandahar Run) seemed to settle for a second place one out as Caprio (Loe de Vega) seemed to have overcome the field, but the Carmen Bocskai-trained gelding fought back and pipped his rival on the post to win by a nose.

Before that, Robin du Bois had run three times, all in France, twice unsuccessfully after a third place  in August over 1m4f at Clairefontaine.

He was racing here for the first time on a distance shorter than that and made every yard count.

Robin du Bois' dam Ballymaloe (Big Shuffle) failed to win in nineteen attempts on both banks of the Rhine. She had not reached her reserve price as a yearling at Baden-Baden, coming from a quiet yet versatile family.

Robin des Bois is her fifth foal registered to date by France Galop, bred four years after Destinée du Bois (Voix du Nord), twice winner of a handicap in France.

GWENDOLA (F3), (GB) by Oasis Dream ex Gwenseb (Green Tune)

Prix Lelio (Maiden 3yos, 1,600m / 1m), October 10, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Wertheimer & Frère
Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias
Breeders: Wertheimer & frère
Rider: Augustin Madamet

The well-bred Gwendola (Oasis Dream) has had to race 5 times to finally win her first race, seven months after her debut in March and the same trip, when beaten a neck by a subsequent Listed-placed, also a neck in front of Suquitho, who also has just opened her account!

She won easily though, joining Green Siren (Siyouni) about one out to finally overcome her and build up a three lengths advance in the last 100 yards.

Gwenseb (Green Tube), Gwendola's dam, was an early type since she won the first juvenile Listed race of the season, the Prix La Flèche, (L), and the first Group 3 of the young generation, the Prix du Bois (Gr3). She then gave the good miler Impassable (Invincible Spirit), a Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Gr2) winner, then Attendu (Acclamation), a Prix La Rochette (Gr3) winner at 2, and a Prix du Palais-Royal (Gr3) later on, and also Spotify (Redoute’s Choice), a good miler too who joined Godolphin for the last Dubai meeting. After Gwendola, Gwenseb gave an Oasis Dream colt, Thirsty (Oasis Dream), and a Dark Angel filly bred in 2019.

GALANT CHABA (G3), FRA by High Rock ex Kalypsonn (Panoramic)

Prix Isopani (AQPS 3yo unraced over obstacles, 3,600m/2m2f), October 3, Auteuil

Owner: Baptiste Letourneux
Trainer: Baptiste Letourneux
Breeder: Jean-Philippe Aubert
Rider: Clément Lefebvre

2nd in the flat AQPS championship Prix de l’Isle Briand (Gr3 AQPS) at the Lion d’Angers last time out, Galant Chaba (High Rock) annihilated the field in the run-in of this AQPS beginners race over Auteuil hrudles. Beside Galopino (Poliglote) and Geryville (Rail Link) in the bend, the owner-trainer Baptiste Letourneux's gelding took off to pass the post with over 8 lengths to spare on Galopino and Geryville.

Bred by Jean-Philippe Aubert in the Sarthe, Galant Chaba is out of a thoroughbred bloodline since his 4th dam Clear Off (Traffic), bred in 1968, gave the thoroughbred mare Chabassole (Dupleix), who mated to the Selle Français sire Haltea II (Laniste) gave, in turn, Belle Kestanica, dam of Kalypsonn (Panoramic), Galant Chaba's dam. The winner is her eighth foal and she was 18 when he was born. She began her hurdling career at Auteuil with a 5th place but never came back after a second failed attempt. Her dam finished 6th at Enghien for her only 'Parisian' race. Her second dam never jumped, like many mares in the West who are kept on the flat.

Kalypsonn's bet foal to date, Ballinson (Ballingarry), also mostly raced in the West on the flat, but won a steeple-chase in Pontchateau. Galant Chaba is the first Auteuil winner of the bloodline. But what a winner!

SUQUITHO (F3), FRA by Authorized ex Suvretta Queen (Polish Precedent)

Prix Javelot (Maiden 3yos, 1,800m/9F), October 1st, Maisons-Laffitte

Owner: Claudio Marzocco
Trainer: Henri-Alex Pantall
Breeder: Yves Borotra
Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

Suquitho (Authorized) had to be checked by Stéphane Pasquier two furlongs out but she eventually managed to get out of the box and to catch Glaciate (Kingman), who she attacked all relentlessly until she finally gave way and setteled for a second place, 3/4 of a length behind the winner. Raconteuse (Invincible Spirit) led the field for the third place, 4 lengths down …

Bought back for €13,000 at Arqana Summer sales in 2018, Suquitho was only beaten a head foir her 2yo debut, last November, by the good Obligate. She came back with a 3rd place and was geared to the classic trail, finishing 5th in the Prix Vanteaux (Gr3). She failed twice after that and only came back once in July after that. Two months later, and almost a year after her debut, she finally seized her first race.

Her dam Suvretta Queen (Polish Precedent), who left racing without a win, already gave Mary’s Precedent (Storming Home), a Listed winner. She's out of Allwaki (Miswaki), a very fashionable 3rd dam of Sistercharlie (Myboycharlie) and Arc fancy Sottsass (Siyouni).