2022 November Maiden winners

 

NAJWAA (f2), IRE by Invincible Spirit ex Alnajmah (Dansili)

Prix de la Placière (Maiden 2-year-old fillies, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), November 30, 2022, Deauville

Owner: Shadwell France

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeder: Shadwell Estate

Rider: Enzo Crublet

Third for her 6 furlong debut in October, Najwaa (Invincible Spirit) avenged herself brilliantly. She started well in the centre and travelled in fifth with her apprentice rider, who was claiming 5lbs. The Shadwell-bred filly took over in a few strides about 300 yards out  to beat Spain Moonlight (Invincible Spirit), always pointed in the leading group, by 2.5 lengths. Sahara Spring (Dream Ahead), who had beaten the winner for their common debut, closed fast in third, eventually nailing the front runner Pelusive (Elusive City).

Njawaa is the third foal out of the winning mare Alnajmah (Dansili), who also gave Monawaara (Siyouni), a winner at Tarbes sold £57,000 at Tattersalls to Mint Bloodstock. Alnajmah's dam is Joanna (High Chaparral), a Prix du Calvados (Gr3) winner and Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1) third, and joined sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's stable. She then finished 3rd in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas, Gr1) and second in the Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr1).

Alnajmah gave Najwaa, a Blue Point yearling filly.

 

CIAO PA’ (c2), FRA by Shamalgan ex Miss Mo Brown Bear (Kodiac)

Prix du Merlerault (Maiden 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), November 30, 2022, Deauville

Owner: Scuderia Micolo

Trainer: Doris Schoenherr

Breeder: Scuderia Micolo

Rider: Pierre Bazire

The fastest out of the starting stalls, Rising Up (Showcasing) led the odds-on favourite Godolphin Book of Life (Dark Angel) and was soon joined by Feeling Great (Pedro the Great). Ciao Pa’ (Shamalgan) travelled in 4th position behind the two leaders. In the last straight, as Rising Up and Feeling Great were giving way, Book of Life was pushed forward by the rail but couldn’t quite keep up with Ciao Pa’, who finally prevailed by two lengths. Schwendi (Shalaa) finished well to take second place, two lengths ahead of Book of Life.

The Scuderia Micolo homebred colt was wearing a hood for the first time, since he’d been a bit out of control last time out, when only 9th here. It was his fifth race since his debut in May, and he was placed three times consecutively before a long Summer spell, ended with his last, disappointing display.

Ciao Pa’s dam, Miss Mo Brown Bear (Kodiac), unraced, was sold in December 2018 at the Tattersalls Breeding Sale for £800, in foal to Olympic Glory (the resulting colt is still unraced). As for Ciao Pa’, he was unsold at Deauville at €4,000 in November 2021… This is the family of the good Bernières (Montjeu), dam of the good jumpers Berjou (Holy Roman Emperor) and Camprond (Lope de Vega).

 

RUBIS VENDOME (m2), GB par Galiway et Classe Vendôme (Kendargent)

Prix du Montfort (Maiden pour poulains entiers et hongres de 2 ans, 1 900 m PSF), Mercredi 30 novembre à Deauville

Propriétaire : Guy Pariente Holding

Entraîneur : Mario Baratti

Éleveur : Guy Pariente Holding

Jockey : Anthony Crastus

L’Argent (Roaring Lion) started as the favourite, having previously finished 4th in the Prix de Fontenoy at ParisLongchamp. It was his first test over the fibresand. He travelled in 4th or 5th position, bidding for his time to make his move. Rubis Vendôme (Galiway) used the same tactics. Three furlongs out, Azka (Wootton Bassett), who had come by smoothly, threw the gauntlet and soon hit the front. L’Argent came by in the middle of the track, while Rubis Vendôme came in between horses. Eventually, Rubis Vendôme beat L’Argent by a short head. Atto di Fede (Kingman) and Nekoleto (Wootton Bassett) finished 4th and 5th very close, as the first five home anded in one a half length, leaving the other runners many lengths behind.

Rubis Vendôme's dam is Classe Vendôme (Kendargent). She's a sister to the French Guineas winner Style Vendôme (Anabaa), and to Prestige Vendôme (Orpen), placed in the French Guineas and in the Criterium International (Gr1). Rubis Vendôme is the 3rd foal and the first colt out of Classe Vendôme. He's also her first winner.

Classe Vendôme's first foal, by Dansili, was bred in 2018 and sold for €230,000 at the Arqana yearlings' sale to Blandford Bloodstock Ltd. Her second filly, by Kingman, was unsold at €200,000, and so was Rubis Vendôme, unsold in 2020 at the August yearlings' sale for €100,000.

 

MISSVENICIA (f2), FRA par Shalaa et Mrs Dubawi (Dubawi)  

Prix du Preaux (Maiden pour pouliches de 2 ans, 1 900 m PSF), Mercredi 30 novembre à Deauville

Propriétaire : LG Bloodstock

Entraîneur : Christophe Ferland

Éleveur : Gérard Laboureau

Jockey : Clément Lecoeuvre

Missvenicia (Shalaa) started as the favourite after her convincing Bouscat debut in September, wheh beaten by Lindy (Le Havre), who has since won the Criterium du Languedoc (Listed). The form held on Deauville's fibresand. Charlotte Bay (Holy Roman Emperor) led the race but was unable to sustain her effort. Missvenicia was held long enough to produce a decisive, final dash in the middle of the track. La Filomena (Lope de Vega), however, caught the eye in second place, coming from behind along the rail. Also an eye-catching closer, Ma Liberté (Australia) finished third at 4 lengths.

Missvenicia isnout of the handicapper Mrs Dubawi (Dubawi), a sister to Nonsuch Way (Verglas), dam of the Prix du Lys (Gr3) winner Neufbosc (Mastercraftsman), who also won a Gr2 in Australia. Different types of good horses come from this prolific bloodline, such as Boris de Deauville (Soviet Star), Lunaska (Ashkalai) or Ask For The Moon (Dr Fong).

Missvenicia is the 5th foal out of her dam, and she's got two brothers: a weanling colt, a 3-year-old gelding, Patchou (Shalaa), bought back for €40,000 at the yearlings' sale, but took three places in four races, also for LG Bloodstock.

Mrs Dubawi was sold for €140,000 as a yearling in 2010 to François Rohaut, who had trained her for Gérard Laboureau. The owner had consigned the mare at the 2021 Breeding sale, but bought her back for €7,000. Missvenicia is her only foal not sold at the  Deauville sales, the highest bid being for Gheryaf (Invincible Spirit), the eldest sibling, bought for €240,000 by Mandore International for Al Shaqab Racing, rewarded by a win at Chantilly.

 

EVERYTHING COUNTS (c2), GB by Zoustar ex Lauren Louise (Tagula)  

Prix de La Pommeraie (Unraced 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), November 29, Deauville

Owners: Fabrice Vermeulen, Pia Brandt, Anne-Charlotte Bondam, Pierre-Alain Chereau

Trainers: Pia & Joakim Brandt

Breeder: Toby Barker

Rider: Simon Planque

Everything Counts (Zoustar) was held at the rear, trailing the race's favourite Mizzo (Frankel), while Nove Su Noce (Le Havre) showed he way until de 2-furlong marker. From then on, Tabou (Charm Spirit) took over and fled away, followed by Dariym (Zoustar), and looked like the winner. However, Everything Counts had reached momentum and covered the last 2 furlongs in only 22’’71, moving from 10th to 1st in the process, making up over a second on Le Tabou, finally second at half a length. Dariym finished 3rd at  3.5 lengths.

The winning dam Lauren Louise (Tagula) already gave the 2-year-old Gr2 winner Bogart (Bahamian Bounty) and the Listed-winner Blaine (Avonbridge). Anothe rof her daughters, Ricana (Fastnet Rock), also foaled a Chester Vase (Gr3) winner in Youth Spirit (Camelot). 

Seven of Lauren Louise's foals went to the sales and made over €100,000. As for Everything Counts, he was unsold at £42,000 as a yearling in Britain but was consigned to he 2022 Arqana breeze up, where Meridian International bought him for €37,000, the lowest bid for a member of this consistent family in the last ten years. 

 

SECRETIVE (f2), FRA by Justify ex Media Mischief (Into Mischief)  

Prix de La Cerisaie (Unraced 2-year-old fillies, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), November 29, Deauville

Owner: Prime Equestrian 

Trainer: Yann Barberot

Breeder: China Horse Club International

Rider: Grégory Benoist

By Dubawi (Dubai Millenium) out of the Darley Prix Jean Romanet (Gr1) winner Romantica (Galileo), herself out of the great Banks Hill (Danehill), Amboise (Dubawi) was all the rage in the betting ring.

She travelled well behind the front-runner Montauk Point (Kingman) and looked like a potential winner for a long time but that was without counting Secretive (Justify), who posted the fastest 2nd last furlong in 11’’18, and finally prevailed by a neck. Amboise finished second with Sauterne (Kingman) closing fast in third at less than a length, gaining 4 places in the last furlong. 

By the US sire Justify (Scat Daddy), Secretive is the second foal out of the US dam Media Mischief (Into Mischief). Her first born, Vaccine of Hope (Pioneerof The Nile), is a winner in the USA for trainer Wesley Ward. A yearling colt by Siyouni has also been registered.

Media Mischief is a sister to Prix de Diane (French Oaks, Gr1) and Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Gr1) winner Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat), to the Prix Eugene Adam (Gr2) winner Burning Sun (Danzig) and to Miserabilis (Lear Fan), a Gr3 winner in the USA, also dam of the good Monarchs Glen (Frankel) and Westover (Frankel).

In 2017, Media Mischief was sold at the Tattersalls Breeding sale to Mercer Bloodstock for £250,000 and was exported in the USA. Two years later, she went twice to Keeneland, in January when consigned by Eaton Sales, and sold for $450,000 to Springhouse Farm, and en months later, in foal to the future Secretive, consigned by Paramount Sales and sold to China Horse Club International for $550,000. The filly was sold at the 2021 Arqana August yearling sale to Prime Equestrian for €150,000.

 

KOSAKENZIPFEL (g3), FRA by Reliable Man ex Soft Pleasure (Diesis)  

Prix de la Boucle d’En Haut (Maiden 3-year-olds, 2,700m/13.5f AWT), November 24, Chantilly

Owners: Stall Wo Laufen Sie Denn ?

Trainer: SCEA De La Fontaine

Breeder: Sarah Steinberg

Rider: Sybille Vogt

In this long, 1m 5 1/2f over Chantilly's fibresand, four runners took the lead: Aha (Bathyron), Speedy Angel (Almanzor), the favourite Kosakenzipfel (Reliable Man) and Sainte Marie (Soldier Hollow). They kept going and rolled away for the field, going into the last straight. Kosakenzipfel proved to be the best and won by 4.5 lengths. Sainte Marie took the second place ahead of Speedy Angel, at almost two lengths, the same margin  separating them from the 4th-placed Aha. After three second places over the turf, Kozakenzipfel finally prevails on he sand.

Kozakenzipfel is out of the Wertheimer-bred Soft Pleasure (Diesis), a prolific dam who gave Incroyable (Singspiel), a Listed-placed at 3 who also gave Absurde (Fastnet Rock) and Impertinente (Redoute’s Choice). Another sister to Soft Pleasure, Blowaway (Linamix), gave Nuala (Soldier Hollow), 2nd in the Prix Madame Jean Couturié (Listed). 

The second dam Vintage (Foolish Pleasure) gave the Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1) winner Juvenia (Trempolino) and the Prix de Guiche (Gr3) winner In Extremis (Sharpen Up).

Incroyable, a sister to Kozakenzipfel, would be consigned at the 2022 Tattersalls Breeding sales, two years after being bought at the Arqana Breeding sales by C&S Bloodstock 2020 for €47,000.

 

VENENCIA (f2), FRA by Recoletos ex Sign of Life (Lemon Drop Kid)  

Prix de l’Orme (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), November 24, Chantilly

Owners: Patricia and Carlos Laffon-Parias

Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias

Breeders: Patricia Laffon-Parias, Ines Laffon-Lomba, Fernando Laffon-Lomba

Rider: Dorian Provost

Duc de Kent (Zelzal) led all the way but only failed to pass the post in first position as he was overwhelmed by the latest closer. Last and second-last most of the race, the beginner Venencia (Recoletos) and the favourite Dschingis Grabe (Dschingis Secret) came by the field, only Venencia managing to make up the three lengths advantage built up by Duc de Kent. Finally, Venencia beat Duc de Kent by almost a length. Dschingis Grace took the 3rd place at a short head only.

The winning sire Recoletos (Whipper) enjoys a nice first crop. His juveniles reached a 70% strike rate in the five first, and Venencia is his 4th winner, with 18 runners to date. Based at the Haras du Quesnay, now wsold, the sire will move to the Haras du Petit Tellier in 2023.

Venencia's dam Sign of Life (Lemon Drop Kid) was bred by the Niarchos's organization, Flaxman Holdings LTD. She won a small race but she's out of Onda Nova (Keos), a Prix Imprudence (Gr3) winner. The 2nd dam, Northern Trick (Northern Dancer), is foudn in the pedigrees of the Oaks (Gr1)-winner Light Shift (Kingmamboo), Ulysses (Galileo), L’Astronome (Frankel), Main Sequence (Aldebaran), Cloth of Stars (Sea The Stars) or Magadan (High Chaparral).

Venencia is the second foal out of Sign of Life, who also gave Pop Life (The Gurkha), twice a winner already, who has a full brother yearling and a full sister weanling.

Sign of Life will be consigned at the Arqana Breeding sale. If Venencia is owned by her breeders, Pop Life was sold in 2020 at the Arqana October Yearlings sale, where Carlos Laffon Parias bought her for €7,000. She is now racing for Mathieu Offenstadt.

 

SICILIA (f3), FRA by Shalaa ex Nigwah (Montjeu)  

Prix du Valois Multier (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,600m/1m AWT), November 24, Chantilly

Owner: Fabrice Chappet

Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

Breeder: Al Shaqab Racing

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

Sicilia (Shalaa) had run seven times already, twice over the fibresand, and show a nice turn of foot but had failed to win. Going into the last straight, Shine On Me (Dabirsim) and Fiore (Kodiac) were showing the way but everything went upside down in the last two furlongs. The favourite Hamnet (Siyouni) failed to gain momentum while Sicilia, still 10th 300 yards out, went to the fore in a furlong, leading Kool First (Kool Company), beaten a good length, half a length ahead of E Va Bin (Kingman). Fiore was the only runner near the lead to keep a place in the top 5.

Sicilia's dam Nigwah (Montjeu) is out of the Prix de Diane (French Oaks, Gr1) winner Sil Sila (Marju) and a sister to Sol Mi Fa (Distant Music), a Listed-winner and a Gr2-placed in the USA.

Sicilia is a second foal after Bal Mal (The Wow Signal), a handicap winner in Britain for trainer John Quinn. A 2-year-old Mekthaal gelding, named Narval, and a Zelzal yearling colt follow.

At the 2022 Arqana Summer sale, Sicilia, consigned by Al Shaqab, was bought by Fabrice Chappet, who paid € 38,000. The filly had run 4 times then. The unraced 2-year-old Narval was also in the Arqana Summer Sale and NBB Racing paid €20,000 to get him.

 

TCHORO (c3), FRA by Ectot ex Williamine (Elusive City)  

Prix de la Pigeonnière (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), November 22, Deauville

Owners: Thibault de Seyssel, Sylvain Vidal, Compte Guillaume de Saint-Seine, SAS Racing D

Trainer: Philippe Decouz

Breeder: Sylvain Vidal

Ridr: Rosario Mangione

Tchoro (Ectot) went into Prix de la Pigeonnière with six races under his belt and he took the lead along with Queen of Navarre (Bated Breath). She couldn't stay on but Tchoro kept pushing and duly won by three parts of a length. The 2nd-placed Rançon Royale (Siyouni) travelled in 5th and closed fast home. As for Noce d’Or (Al Wukair), who was held back at first, she went from 8th to 3rd in the last straight and only missed 2nd place by a neck. The favourite Mashaaer (Muhaarar), from Britain after four placings, held on in 4th after travelling outside the field.

Winning sire Ectot (Hurricane Run) got his first foals racing in 2021. He now boasts 15 winners out of 32 runners. A dual Gr1 winner in France and the USA, he's based at Haras de Bouquetot and is a brother of the other successful sire, Most Improved (Lawman).

Tchoro is the second foal out of Williamine (Elusive City) and her second winner after Trois Point Huit (Recorder). A yearling sister, Vive la Reine (Recorder), and a  Golden Horde weanling sister follow.

Williamine never ran but she's a sister to Védeux (Elusive City), a Prix du Bois (Gr3) winner at 2 and a decent handicap sprinter. The dam line goes back to Lyrism (Lyphard), the dam of the Prix du Calvados (Gr3) winner Whakilyric (Miswaki), who gave no less than 5 sires: Hernando (Niniski), Johann Quartz (Sadler’s Wells), Res Judicata (Rainbow Quest), Walter Willy (Sadler’s Wells) and Adnaan (Nashwan).

Equos Racing International bought Tchoro at Deauville for €26,000. Her brother Napoleon Bay (New Bay) never ran despite the €25,000 forked out to get him at the Arqana V2 yearlings sale in 2019 by Chris Richner Bloodstock. 

 

SOLAR SCIENCE (g3), GB by New Approach ex Risen Sun (Shamardal)  

Prix du Bessin (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), November 22, Deauville

Owner: Godolphin SNC

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Godolphin

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

The favourite Solar Science (New Approach) travelled in 5th position outside the field, as to avoid any mishap. The beginner Bolkhova (Almanzor) led the way at a good pace but in the end, the four first home had already had a chance to run: Solar Science in a turf maiden at Deauville whose second-placed Anterselva went on to be also placed in a Listed event. Solar Science just blew the field in the end and won by 4 lengths over Guadalest (Zelzal), with Anistou (Maxios) a further 2 lengths down the field, both having travelled behind the front-runner.

By the Darley sire New Approach (Galileo), the winner is out of Risen Sun (Shamardal), a winning debutante who also finished 5th in a Listed race. Solar Science is her third foal and her third winner. Another gelding, Desert Safari (Slade Power), was placed in a Listed race at 2.

The second dam Bright Morning (Dubai Millenium) ran twice in France and won over the Deauville all-weather in 2004.

At the sale, Eye of Heaven (Exceed and Excel), a 3-year-old brother to Solar Science, was sold for only £2,000 to Antonio Jose Guerra Mateo in 2021 at Tattersalls. He's in training with Mark Johnston. The dam Risen Sun also changed hands in 2021 when BBA Ireland bought her for €40,000 at Goffs.

 

ST JAMES PARK (g2), by Pedro The Great ex Mélodienne (Kitten’s Joy)  

Prix Finasseur (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,600m), November 17, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Cuadra Miranda S.L.U., Mauricio Delcher Sanchez

Trainer: Mauricio Delcher Sanchez

Breeders: Patrick-Georges Roulois, SAS Regnier

Rider: Tony Piccone

Following his good Saint-Cloud debut, finishing well to grab the 4th place, St James Park (Pedro The Great) did not wait long to open his account. Applying the same tactics, he produced a conclusive effort in the end and went away to score by 3.5 lengths, beating Famoso (Al Wukair), now 2nd for a 6th time in 8 races, with Fille du Roi (Belardo) in 3rd place.

St James Park was bought for €18,000 at the yearlings' October Arqana sales by his trainer Mauricio Delcher Sanchez. He's the first foal out of Mélodienne (Saint Ballado), who raced for Wertheimer et Frère but failed to win. The 4th dam La Dame du Lac gave Nazoo (Nijinski), the Listed-winner dam of Nadia (Nashwan), a Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) winner and Prix de Diane (Gr1) second, but also of Sunray Superstar (Nashwan), 2nd dam of Signs of Blessing (Invincible Spirit), a Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr1) winner.

 

ENDS OF THE EARTH (c2), GB by Territories ex Heavenly Scent (Galileo)  

Prix du Mont Griffon (Unraced 2-year-old colts & geldings, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), November 16, Chantilly

Owner: Guy Heald

Trainer: Henri-Alex Pantall

Breeder: G.B. Partnership

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Viriatus (Sioux Nation) led Port of Entry (Le Havre) and Ends of The Earth (Territories), who was held back and lost a few places in between horses. The front runner fought bravely and held off Winter Pudding (Seahenge) and Emozione (Olympic Glory), but at about 300 yards from the post, Ends of The Earth loomed wide and made up the lost ground to beat Viriatus by a length and a half. The favourite Devil in The Sky (Starsplangledbanner), coming from the rear, managed to grab third place, two lengths behind.

Ends of The Earth belongs to the 3rd generation by Territories (Invincible Spirit). The family is well known by Henri Alex Pantall, who also trained his dam Heavenly Scent (Galileo), a late maturing mare who started for the first time at 4 and won two races that season. Ends of The Earth is her first foal trained in France after Marco Botti and Roger Varian took care of the previous siblings. The 2nd dam Flora Trevelyan (Cape Cross) is Listed-placed in Britain and gave Tipitena (Camelot), a Group3-placed. The 3rd dam,  Why So Silent (Mill Reef), gave 10 foals in the USA, including three black-type performers.

Bred by G.B. Partnership, like the Prix de Royallieu (Gr1) winner Sea La Rosa, Ends of The Earth did not go to the sales, unlike his two older siblings. Heavenly Rose (Showcasing) was sold three times: as a weanling in 2018, when John Troy bought her for £ 58,000 before selling her as a yearling, for only £25,000, to Blandford at Tattersalls. In  2021, after a dull career, she was sold again, for £2,500, to Lady Jane. The 2nd foal, an Iffrajj colt, was sold as a yearling for £85,000 to Amanda Skiffington and is yet to run.

 

HALEINE (f2), FRA by Anodin ex Hallotiere (Hurricane Run)  

Prix du Vivier Madame (Unraced 2-year-old fillies, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), November 16, Chantilly

Owner: Gerard Augustin Normand

Trainer: Mikel Delzangles

Breeder: Franklin Finance S.A.

Rider: Gérald Mossé

The four first home were already amongst the five leaders of the race after 3 furlongs. Only the front-runner Nangara (Myboycharlie) faded in the last straight.

Haleine (Anodin) fought hard to overcome Oujda (Sioux Nation) by a nose, while two lengths behind, Moondune (Quality Road) beat the favourite Philaminte (Roaring Lion) by almost a length, well ahead of the field.

Haleine is by Goldikova (Anabaa)'s full brother Anodin, based at Haras de la Haie Neuve. He can boast over 10 black-type performers, he who was 5 times placed at Gr1 level and a Gr3 winner.

The dam Halllotiere (Hurricane Run) is a full sister to Prix François Boutin (Listed) winner Bunker. The family has done well in the USA and in Hong Kong. Hallotiere won in France for trainer Mikel Delzangles. She also gave another winner, Harcanville, for sale at the Arqana Breeding sale, in December.

Two foals out of Haleine went to the sales already. In 2020, Ellon (Le Havre), then aged 4, was bought for €5,500 by Agence BHB. Last November, the yearling Hamars (Dabirsim) was sold at €10,000 to Pegasus Bloodstock.

 

GRAND GIOMAR STEP (c2), IRE by Footstepsinthesand ex Dona Sola (Iffraaj)  

Prix de la Croix Marquet (Maiden 2-year-old colts & geldings, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), November 15, Chantilly

Owners: Salvatore Alioto, Dream Horse SRL

Trainer: Gianluca Bietolini

Breeder: Gerard Mullins

Rider: Maxime Guyon

A month after his debut over a heavy turf at ParisLongchamp, Grand Giomar Step (Footstepsinthesand) looked much more effective on the Chantilly all-weather. He travelled behind a trio made of the favourite Piano Man (Anodin), Sixtus (Al Wukair) and Noshowonfriday (Showcasing), and took them over in the last 2 furlongs to score by a head. NoshowonFriday stayed on in second after being trapped behind Piano Man, who faded to sixth in the end. Sixtus finished 3rd at half a length. The field was well beaten.

Grand Giomar Step is the first foal out of Dona Sola (Iffrajj), who did not do much on the racecourses but boasts a fine pedigree with a duel Gr2-winning dam, Anna Pavlova, winner of the Prix de Royallieu at 4 in 2007. Grand Giomar Step.

One finds this bloodline in Japan with Epiphaneia (Symboli Kris S), a Japan Cup (Gr1) winner, Saturnalia (Lord Kanaloa) and Leontes (King Kamehameha), respectively, best 3-year-old in 2018 and top 2015 2-year-old.

Bought privately from Haras de Saint Pair for €15,000 by Charel Bloodstock at the 2015 Breeding sales, Dona Sola has seen many of her foals sold over in Britain on Ireland, but Grand Giomar Step got the highest bid ever when sold as a yearling at Tattersalls from Marco Bozzi Bloodstock at €20,000.

 

ALVA (f2), FRA by Sea The Moon ex America’s Best (Union Rags)  

Prix de la Croix Saint-Rieul (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), November 15, Chantilly

Owners: Antoine Gilibert, Hubert Guy, Hubert Meraud, Fabrice Chappet

Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

Breeder: Succession Larissa Kneip

Rider: Simon Planque

The unraced favourite Ottery (Dubawi) travelled behind the front-running Gipsy Gold (Siyouni), but none could resist Alva (Sea The Moon)'s final dash. Placed in 5th, she won by the minimum margin and still had to fight for it.

Alva's out of the US-bred America’s Best (Zafonic), who never ran, but is a sister to Splash Mountain (Peintre Célèbre), a Gr2-placed in Germany at 3, and Dream Lodge (Grand Lodge), a Gr3-placed in England.

The second dam Sleepytime (Royal Academy), won the One Thousand Guineas (Gr1) and is a sister to Sussex Stakes winner Ali-Royal.

Alva is the first foal out of America’s Best, who also gave a Seabhac yearling colt withdrawn at Deauville in September.

America’s Best was unsold at Keeneland in 2016  Exported to Europe, she was in the 2017 Breeze Up sale and was purchased for €45,000. Alva went to the Deauville yearlings' sale in October 2021 and was sold there to Hubert Guy Bloodstock for € 85,000.

 

GUET APENS (c2), GB by Dubawi ex Surprise Moment (Authorized)

Prix Kantar (Maiden 2-year-old colts and geldings, 2,000m/1m2f), November 9, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Godolphin DNC

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Godolphin

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Fourth and seemingly outpaced for his debuts at Chantilly, the favourite Guet Apens (Dubawi) Saint-Cloud probably liked the softer surface and the further 2 furlongs to cover for his new task. After travelling behind the leaders, the Godolphin homebred left Gallant Deed (Frankel) to show the way until the last straight. The latter fought all the way to the wire and only failed to make it to the top 3. Guet Apens won easily by two lengths over De Florio (Muhaarar), who had trailed him in the final stages. Mellah (Brametot), also pointed in the leading groupe, finished third, a further two and a half lengths down the field.

Guet Apens is a brother to In The Night (Shamardal), a Qatar Gr3-winning gelding. Their dam Surprise Moment (Authorized), unraced, is a sister to Flying Cloud (Storming Home), winner of the Prix Cléopâtre (Gr3) and of the Ribblesdale Stakes (Gr2) at Royal Ascot; to the dual Listed-placed Open Offer (Cadeaux Genereux), to the Listed-winner Captain Webb (Storming Home) and to the Gr3-placed Candide (Caerleon).

The second dam, Criquette (Shirley Heights), also gave Sky Song (Sadler’s Wells), the dam of the sire Laverock (Octogonal) and of Miss Right Note (Daylami), the dam of the Australian sire Pierro (Lonhro).

Ahead (Shirley Heights), a full sister to Criquette, was bought for £380,000 by John Ferguson at Tattersalls in 2001. 5th in the Epsom Oaks (Gr1) and a Gr3-placed in Britain, she then gave Opinion Poll (Halling), winner of 10 staying races, including 5 Group-events.

As for Surprise Moment, she was sold for £42,000 at the 2021 Tattersalls breeding sales to Byerley Stud/Laura Clifford-Ward, in foal to Cracksman.

 

SUNBURN (f2), FRA by Postponed ex Sundancer (Hernando)

Prix Pharsale (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 2,000m/1m2f), November 9, Saint-Cloud

Owner: ZAK Bloodstock

Trainer: Mikel Delzangles

Breeder: Ali & Amina Hakam

Rider: Ioritz Mendizabal

The favourite Mysterious Love (Dark Angel) led all the way, up to five lengths ahead of the field in the back straight. She was trained by David Menuisier in England, like two of the three previous winners of the race, that is Ottilien (Holy Roman Emperor) and Wonderful Tonight (Le Havre). Caught early in the straight by Chasing The Sun (Galileo) ahead of the whole chasing field, Mysterious Love could not quite stay on and finished only 5th. Sunburn (Postponed), on the other end, finished the best, making her way along the inside rail in the last furlong to beat all her rivals, who'd gone by the stands' rail. The Zak Bloodstock homebred won by a short length, beating Chasing The Sun two lengths over Khahira (Pedro The Great).

Sunburn is the dam Sundancer (Hernando)'s fifth winner. Mikel Delzangles also trained her sister, Sansa Bay (New Bay), unsold at €22,000 as a yearling at Arqana in October 2020.

The second dam Sahara Sunrise (Houston), also had consistent offspring. Her Hernando filly Shifting Sands, who was placed in a Listed race, gave the Prix Cléopâtre (Gr3)-winner and Prix de Diane (French Oaks, Gr1)-placed Sandbar (Oasis Dream) and the Listed-winner and Gr3-placed Brasileira (Dubai Destination).

 

KHAWAJA (c2), FRA by Shalaa ex Lamorlaye (Danehill Dancer)

Prix de Bonneville (Unraced 2-year-olds, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), November 6, 2022, Deauville

Owners: Khalifa Mohammed Al Attiyah, A&G Botti

Trainers: A&G Botti

Breeder: Khalifa Mohammed Al Attiyah

Rider: Théo Bachelot

Entered as early as April, then again in June, Khawaja (Shalaa) finally bid his time to score for his debuts. Fast ahead, he was pushed forward early in the last straight and took a few lengths so that he stayed on and just held off a head over Viola (Lope de Vega), who had come from last in the centre of the track. Zalamo (Seahenge) finished third at 4 lengths…

Khawaja's dam, Lamorlaye (Danehill Dancer), was sold at the end of her 3-year-old campaign for €200,000 to Al Shaqab Racing. She'd won one race at Craon after getting places at Longchamp and Chantilly over longer distances. Khawaja is her 5th foal, and he was withdrawn from the Deauville in 2021, unlike his Siyouni brother at Tattersalls last October, when unsold at £140,000. He's in training with Jean-Claude Rouget. A Sea the Stars weanling colt comes after that.

Thir sister Wasmya (Toronado) is a Listed-winner in Germany.

This is the family of the Arc winner Dylan Thomas (Danehill), of Queen’s Logic (Grand Lodge), Homecoming Queen (Holy Roman Emperor), etc.

 

HAPPY SATURDAY (c2), IRE by Acclamation ex Monaco Show (Kheleyf)

Prix Nonoalco (Maiden 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), November 5, 2022, Deauville

Owner: Jaber Abdullah

Trainer: Andreas Wohler

Breeder: Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Favourite for his debuts at Mülheim, Happy Saturday (Acclamation) threw away that race in the final straight when unseating his rider as he was almost assured of winning. Second three weeks later, over 7 furlongs at Münich-Riem, he was trialled for the first time over the all-weather in Deauville. Drawn wide outside, he still went ahead and took the lead in the first and only turn. Ridden early in the straight, he just held off the favourite Book of Life (Dark Angel), who got the perfect trip inside, himself a short neck ahead of the good finisher Briar Patch (Camacho).

The winner's dam Monaco Show (Kheleyf) was sold for £28,000 at Tattersalls by Godolphin, who passed her on to Rabbah Bloodstock. Winner of one race in Germany, where she was also twice placed in Listed events, she finished fourth in the German One Thousand Guineas (Gr2). Bred in France, she'd been withdrawn from the Osarus yearling sales… by Rabbah Bloodstock, who bought her back at the end of her racing career, only to sell her again for €5,500, barren, at Goffs in November 2021. Happy Saturday's third dam is a full sister to Kooyonga (Persian Bold).

 

EUREKA (f2), FRA by Expert Eye ex Proceed (Mastercraftsman)

Prix La Bamba (Maiden 2-year-old fillies, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), November 5, 2022, Deauville

Owner: Mrs Jacques Cygler

Trainer: Henri-Alex Pantall

Breeder: Haras des Pyrénées

Rider: Clément Lecœuvre

Eighth at Lion d’Angers for his debuts in the Summer, then 5th at Clairefontaine in October over the mile, Eureka (Expert Eye), offered at 20/1, took the lead and kept the pace steady. She could start over before her rivals, and she took off, living comfortably off that delay. The favourite Suviana (Dandy Man), who had been drawn wide and could not find a better post inside the field, was beaten by less than a length, but she did not finish as fast as the 3rd-placed Nostra Impératrice (Holy Roman Emperor), who had been boxed in inside at less than a length.

Bred by Haras des Pyrénées, Eureka was sold for €18,000 at Arqana. His dam won one race, the second dam is a maiden, but his third dam gave the dam of the Irish classic winner Roderic O’Connor (Galileo), winner of the Critérium International (Gr1) and the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Gr1). he also finished second to Frankel in the Dewhurst Stakes (Gr1)…

Eureka has got a yearling brother by Le Havre and a weanling brother by Wooded.

 

MONARCHIC (c3), IRE by Kingman ex Allez Y (Rip Van Winkle)

Prix de la Chapelle Saint-Pierre (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,600m/1m AWT), November 2, Chantilly

Owner: Godolphin SNC

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Fairway Thoroughbred

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Before this, Monarchic (Kingman) had had 8 runs and finished 2nd four times but was still a maiden. Favourite anyway, in a race led at a fast pace by Narcissus (Stormy River) and Chilli Boy (De Treville), Monarchic sat in 10th until 300 yards out. At this point, he was pushed forward and win easily by 4 lengths. Chilli Boy stayed on in second and kept a neck ahead of Heal The World (Supplicant), who closed well near home, like Kool First (Kool Kompany).

Monarchic is out of Allez Y (Rip Van Winkle), whose dam L’Ancresse (Darshaan) gave 8 winners, including Sibila Spain (Frankel), a Prix du Muguet (Gr2) winner, and her full brother Master of Reality (Frankel), a Group3 winner in Ireland.

The Listed-winner L’Ancresse, is also a Gr1-placed in the US and Ireland. Her sister Moonstone (Dalakhani) won the Epsom Oaks (Gr1), while other siblings like Cerulean Sky (Darshaan) and Diner de Lune (Be My Guest) performed at the highest level.

No wonder Monarchic was sold to Godolphin at Tattersalls for £400,000. His Vadamos brother Dirham Emirati was paid £22,000 as a weanling by JC Bloodstock and won over the flat before being converted to the jumps after changing hands as he was bought in 2021 by Philip Middleton for £62,000. Last year at Tattersalls, the Zoffany sister was sold to Staghawk Stables and Jane Buchanan for £85,000.

 

BLESS (c2), FRA by Toronado ex Mlayhah (Le Havre)  

Prix de la Croix d’Anleu (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,600m/1m AWT), November 2, Chantilly

Owner: Roger Anthony Simmons

Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

Breeders: Al Shaqab Racing, SCEA des Prairies

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

Bless (Toronado) did not show much for her debut at Deauville but finished in the frame later at Vichy. He had to discover Chantilly's all-weather to score for the first time. Indira (Helmet) led but couldn't stay on. Ridden behind the leaders, Bless moved forward behind the favourite Tertuliane Bloom (Recorder) but soon took over to win by three lengths. Duc de Kent (Zelzal) was the only leader to grab some spoils by keeping the third place at less than a length. 

Bless is the first foal out of Mlayhah (Le Havre), an unraced sister to Italian Leger winner Trip to Rhodos (Rail Link), and to Danza Cavallo (Sunday Break), who was placed in Group races run over 10 to 12 furlongs. The latter is also the dam of Cheshire Academy (Flitnshire), a Prix Noailles (Gr3) winner.

Mandore International Agency bought Mlayhah for Al Shaqab Racing at Arqana for €155,000. Bless went to the same auction in 2021 when Amanda Skiffington bought him for €90,000. His Wooded sister, a weanling, is liest at the next Deauville Breeding sales.