26 May 2024
Photograph Daylight: scoopdyga.com
Focus on the maiden winners of the month, updated weekly,
on the France Galop racecourses.
Here's an opportunity to discover some of
the champions of tomorrow...
LAVENDER LACE (f2), IRE by Lope de Vega ex Pecking Order (Fastnet Rock)
Prix de la Celle-Saint-Cloud (Unraced 3-year-old Fillies, 2,000m/1m2f), May 26, 2024, ParisLongchamp
Owner: Merry Fox Stud Ltd
Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
Breeder: Merry Fox Stud Ltd
Rider: Maxime Guyon
Withdrawn at the start twelve days earlier for refusing to enter the stalls at Saint-Cloud over 1m4f, Lavender Lace (Lope de Vega) quickly put this mishap behind her, though she still showed some inexperience here. Starting from the inside stall, she was unaffected by the sudden veer of Proud Lucy (Taj Mahal) at the break. She managed to take the lead before being passed by Rahima (Dariyan). Making her move at the entrance to the straight, she battled with the leader until the end, ultimately prevailing quite decisively to win by a length and a half. The two fillies pulled well from the rest, with third-placed Oléron (Soldier Hollow) finishing nicely but three lengths behind.
Lavender Lace's full sister was sold at Tattersalls for £240,000 and later resold as a maiden for $11,000 at Fasig-Tipton in April. Their dam, Pecking Order (Fastnet Rock), finished second in the Prix des Tourelles (L) before retiring to stud. The third dam is none other than Shemaya (Darshaan), the Prix de Diane (French Oaks, Gr1) winner.
FLEUR DES BOIS (f3), IRE by Waldgeist ex Fleurissimo (Dr Fong)
Prix Timandra (Unraced 3-year-old Fillies, 2,400m/1m4f), May 20, 2024, Saint-Cloud
Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: André Fabre
Breeder: Normandie Stud Ltd
Rider: Mickaël Barzalona
Fleur des Bois (Waldgeist), the favourite, secured a fairly easy victory. She led throughout the race, fending off a few attacks and ultimately remained unchallenged by the strong finishes of After Midnight (Teofilo), who was well-placed throughout, and Selemiah (Golden Horn), who finished strongly with an encouraging action.
Fleur des Bois was purchased for £125,000 as a yearling at Tattersalls. She is a sister to Fleur Forsyte (Teofilo), a Listed winner at York over 1m4f. Their dam, the maiden Fleurissimo (Dr Fong), comes from a family of stayers, while her second dam produced, among others, the sprinter Wavy Run. The family also includes a Derby-placed horse and a Prix de Meautry winner over 5f!
CRÉATIF (c3), (IRE) by Dubawi ex Soustraction (Lope de Vega)
Prix Pot Au Feu (Unraced 3-year-old Colts and geldings, 2,400m/1m4f), May 20, 2024, Saint-Cloud
Owners: Wertheimer&Frère
Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias
Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère
Rider: Augustin Madamet
Starting well despite his 10 draw, Créatif (Dubawi) travelled at the front alongside Mahomes (Phoenix of Spain), and the pair remained undisturbed until the final straight after a leisurely douple of kilometres. However, the leader quickly fell back, allowing Créatif to continue alone, leaving a strong-finishing Got Yeah (Seahenge) to finish 1.5 lengths behind, with Born To Win (Born To Sea), who had attacked the leaders first, two lengths further back. Darabukkah (Zarak) finished promisingly further back.
Créatif's dam, Soustraction (Lope de Vega), won the Prix d’Aumale (Gr3) on her second outing after debuting with a second place in the coveted Prix des Marettes at Deauville. Third in the Saint-Alary (Gr1) a year later, she ran for the last time in July without managing to win again. At stud, she has produced Arithmétique (Anodin), a race winner and now at stud.
ANGEAL (f2), IRE by Wootton Bassett ex Curvy (Galileo)
Prix La Belle II (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,200m/6f), May 20, 2024, Saint-Cloud
Owners: Christophe Brun, Écurie Normandy Spirit, Gérard Larrieu
Trainer: Christopher Head
Breeder: Coolmore Stud
Rider: Aurélien Lemaître
Quickly taking the lead, Angeal (Wootton Bassett) seemed dominated by Snowsociety (Toronado), who had accompanied her at the front, shortly after entering the straight, but the latter could not maintain her effort, and the leader regained control. She then held off Yoga Master (Persian King) and a fast-finishing Relaxx (City Light). Long behind, Ring True (Belardo) produced a good final effort and should improve significantly from this run.
Consigned by Baroda Stud as a yearling at Goffs Ireland, Angeal was purchased for €110,000 by Chantilly Bloodstock (Gérard Larrieu). She is out of Curvy (Galileo), sister to the excellent stallion Power (Oasis Dream), also a winner of the E P Taylor (Gr1) and the Ribblesdale Stakes (Gr2), the Royal Ascot Oaks, and the dam of Caisson (War Front), a winner in the USA. This is also the family of another classic performer, Footstepsinthesand, a sire like his brother Pedro the Great.
TIEGO THE FIRST (c2), FRA by Blue Point ex Kotama (Siyouni)
Prix Hunyade (Unraced 2-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,200m/6f), May 20, 2024, Saint-Cloud
Owners: Magne Jordanger, Finn Blichfeldt
Trainer: P&J.Brandt
Breeder: Écurie Jean-Louis Bouchard
Rider: Augustin Madamet
Slow out of the gates, Tiego the First (Blue Point) moved up from the back of the field in the final straight to win impressively by nearly a length. He defeated a good Gun of Brixton (Frankel), who had won "his" race against the rest of the field in the centre, leaving the third-placed Tolebi (Golden Horde), who had followed his progress, 4.5 lengths behind.
Tiego the First was purchased for €170,000 at the Arqana sales by Meridian (Ghislain Bozo) and Ross Doyle. His dam Kotama (Siyouni), bred by the Aga Khan and a winner of two races after finishing second in the Prix Yacowlef (L), was sold for €80,000 to Gérard Larrieu in foal with this colt in 2021 at Deauville. She was sold once more for €43,000, in foal to Almanzor, to Turquoise Bloodstock. Meanwhile, a colt by Victor Ludorum was born in 2023.
Tiego the First’s fourth dam won the Prix de Malleret (Gr2) and is the second dam of Derby winner High Chaparral.
FELICIA (f3), FRA by Wootton Bassett ex Fortitude (Oasis Dream)
Prix de la Route Royale (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 1 600m/1m), May 17, 2024, Chantilly
Owner: Écurie des Charmes
Trainers: C&Y.Lerner
Breeder: Haras d’Étreham
Rider: Christophe Soumillon
After finishing third on heavy ground in her debut in March and then fifth at Longchamp in a tightly contested race, Felicia (Wootton Bassett) capitalized on these experiences to clinch a rather impressive victory here. She broke well, settled just behind the leaders, and accelerated decisively in the final phase to win by nearly three lengths. The pacesetter, Baltic Empress (Kingman), put up a tenacious fight and is sure to find her day, holding off the challenge from the favourite, Avenue Montaigne (Zarak), who once again had to settle for a minor placing.
Felicia was purchased for 140,000€ by the Lerners at the Deauville yearling sales. Her dam, Fortitude (Oasis Dream), won two races in England and is out of the stakes-winning Sweepstake (Acclamation), who produced the enduring Broome (Australia) and Point Lonsdale (Australia), a leading two-year-old in the UK and Ireland. Felicia's immediate family includes a 2022 filly by Threat and a last year's colt by Persian King.
SAIDI EL FAL (c3), FRA by Lope de Vega ex Storm to the Sea (Siyouni)
Prix du Plessis-Pommeraye (Maiden 3-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m), May 17, 2024, Chantilly
Owners: Fal Stud, Écurie Haras du Château, Haras de Clairefontaine
Trainer: Mario Baratti
Breeders: Marie-Laure, Jean et Marylene Collet
Rider: Alexis Pouchin
Having placed third twice over 10 and 9.5f on all-weather and very heavy ground before stepping down to one mile here, Saidi El Fal (Lope de Vega) decisively outperformed his rivals this time. He took an early lead and effortlessly pulled away in the home straight to win by five lengths over Lanzelot Gold (Toronado), who held on well after tracking the leaders, and the favourite Agualeto (Recoletos), who had waited behind.
Golden Rock (Stormy River) finished a good fourth.
Entered in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1), Saidi El Fal was privately purchased for 60,000€ at Arqana by Fal Stud and Pegase Bloodstock. His dam, Storm to the Sea (Siyouni), won a race at Sillé-le-Guillaume before retiring to stud. She produced a Le Havre filly who's still a maiden after nine races, then Saidi El Fal, and a Romanised colt, who sold for 14,000€ at Deauville last October and was just taken out of training without racing. Storm to the Sea is notably a sibling to Silverwave (Silver Frost) and Stormy River (Vergals), both Group 1 winners, whose dam Miss Bio (River Mist) never raced.
MOSAÏQUE (f3), FRA by Dubawi ex The Juliet Rose (Monsun)
Prix Lunadix (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 2,400m/1m4f), May 14, 2024, Saint-Cloud
Owners: Wertheimer & Frère
Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias
Breeders: Wertheimer & Frère
Rider: Maxime Guyon
Just like Coetzee and his runner-up Spinello in the previous maiden, Mosaïque (Dubawi), the favourite in the fillies' maiden, has already made a name for herself over the classic distance: sixth in March on her debut over 1m2f, she finished a distant second on very soft ground, again at Saint-Cloud, over 1m1/2. Sunday's storms and the morning rain forced her to run once more on a challenging turf. Still, this time, she won decisively, on the bit, leaving her closest rivals, Villa des Arts (Galiway) and Moosbeere (Waldgeist), whom she had previously beaten by six lengths, nearly four lengths behind.
The filly is the third daughter of the excellent The Juliet Rose (Monsun), purchased for €650,000 at Arqana by Markus Jooste, a two-time winner of the Prix de Royallieu (Gr2), among other eye-catching displays, and amicably transferred to the Wertheimers at the end of her racing career.
Her second filly, a maiden by Sea the Stars, was bought by Écurie des Monceaux last December at Arqana for €135,000. She then took a fifth second place and is not trained anymore, but what an exciting bet! Especially since Mosaïque has just spiced things up a bit...
COETZEE (c3), USA by Frankel ex Sing Softly (Hennessy)
Prix Mendez (Maiden 3-year-old Colts & geldings, 2,400m/1m4f), May 14, 2024, Saint-Cloud
Owners: Tabor/Smith/Magnier
Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
Breeders: Orpendale, Chelston Ireland, Wynatt
Rider: Mickaël Barzalona
Coetzee (Frankel) missed the start in his debut against horses that had already run and ended up boxed in along the rail, finishing strongly that day over 1m3f at Fontainebleau. He was now the second favourite behind Spinello (Cracksman), running for the third time this season over 1m1/2 after a fourth and then a second place, always at Saint-Cloud. It was indeed the latter who went after the two leaders, Chess (Fas) and especially Bali (Exceed and Excel), who had overtaken his rival but could do nothing against Spinello, and Coetzee launched down the middle of the straight to win by three lengths, four lengths ahead of Bali.
Coetzee is the second winner born to the American mare Sing Softly (Hennessy), runner-up in the Nell Gwyn (Gr2) in England for trainer Aidan O'Brien, who had entered her in the Grotte (Gr3) and the French 1,000 Guineas (Gr1).
She is also the full sister to India (Hennessy), a Gr2 winner in the USA, a dam of the Japanese landmark mile Yasuda Kinen (Gr1) winner, named Mozu Ascot (Frankel). The same crossbreeding was attempted here. The chestnut brother to Coetzee, a 2-year-old by Justify, was unsold at $575,000 at the Ocala 2-year-old in-training sales.
WAIKATO (c3), (GB) by Shalaa ex Rosehill (Australia)
Prix de la Berline du Duc de Bourbon (Maiden 3-year-old Colts and geldings, 2,000m/1m2f), May 11, 2024, Chantilly
Owner: Al Shaqab Racing
Trainer: Mikel Delzangles
Breeder: Al Shaqab Racing
Rider: Aurélien Lemaître
Returning after a two-month break, Waikato (Shalaa) took an early lead and showed plenty of tenacity to fend off the strong challenge from the favourite, Oscar (Siyouni), who had tracked him from the start and settled for second place a length behind. Also near the front despite his wide draw (11), Northern Olympian (Olympic Glory) also led alongside Waikato but couldn’t quicken in the closing stages, allowing Forever Given (Sea the Stars), always well-placed, to clinch third, two lengths behind the leading duo. This group was followed by Driver’s Pick (Too Darn Hot), and the strong finisher Lord Sinclair (Almanzor), who nabbed fifth place at the line.
Waikato was competing on turf for the first time, having finished eighth in his debut at Chantilly over 1,500m in December, then fourth, leading over the mile, again on all-weather at Chantilly. The increase in distance seemingly benefitted this gutsy grandson of Australia, who is not entered in the season's major races.
Bred by his owners, Al Shaqab Racing, Waikato is the first foal out of Rosehill (Australia), a filly also trained by the Qatari outfit. She was entered in her generation's classics and won on debut in November of her two-year-old season at Bordeaux, but did not race thereafter. She was sold barren in February 2022 at Deauville for €5,000 to Sigma Agency, and since foaled a Toronado filly in 2023, bred by the Jeffroy family.
The unraced second dam, Barenia (Zamindar), was bred by the Fabre family from an Argentine-imported lineage.
HAPPY SAXON (f3), FRA by Saxon Warrior ex Happyness (Verglas)
Prix de la Calèche des Impératrices (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 2,000m/1m2f), May 11, 2024, Chantilly
Owner: Roy Racing Ltd
Trainer: Mikel Delzangles
Breeder: Élevage Haras de Bourgeauville
Rider: Stéphane Pasquier
After a brave fourth on heavy ground in her debut last October at Saint-Cloud, Happy Saxon (Saxon Warrior) had not been seen since until her return here. Starting at the back after jostling with Jannah Pearl (Galileo) as they were leaving the starting stalls, the grey filly settled behind the field led by Sailawaywithme (Sea the Stars) and gradually moved up on the outside, tracking Jannah Pearl. Jannah Pearl continued her effort to challenge the steady leader but could not sustain her run. At the same time, Happy Saxon extended impressively to clearly dominate the final 100 meters, winning by nearly two lengths over a very gallant Sailawaywithme, with Jannah Pearl finishing behind, also nearly two lengths adrift.
The fillies' race was reportedly two seconds slower than the preceding maiden for colts. Nonetheless, the winner's style was highly convincing.
Daniel Cole purchased Happy Saxon for €85,000 at the Arqana October yearling sales. She is the second foal of Happyness (Verglas), who won on her second outing at La Teste at three years old and then placed second in the coveted Prix du Louvre. This was her last race in France before moving to the USA, where she won twice. After being sold twice more, including once in foal to Air Force Blue, she produced Bonheur Bleu at Haras de Bourgeauville.
This is a lineage originating from Kilfrush Stud. The fourth dam is the formidable Arctique Royale (Royal and Regal), winner of the Irish 1,000 Guineas. Numerous high-level winners for Jean-Pierre Binet and R C Strauss descend from this outstanding dam.
ALLÉE DE BERCY (f2), FRA by Hello Youmzain ex Dehia (Mastercraftsman)
Prix de la Mère Marie (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,000m/5f), May 2, 2024, Chantilly
Owner: Écurie X
Trainer: A&G. Botti
Breeders: Aliette et Gilles Forien
Rider: Ioritz Mendizabal
Allée de Bercy (Hello Youmzain) showcased her prowess by forcefully claiming victory, coming wide to deliver the final charge and edge past the tenacious Cendre (Goken). Cendre had initially fended off the favourite Dombyra (Dark Angel) along the rail, having led from the start. Cendre eventually finished a short neck behind the winner, with Dombyra a neck further back.
Allée de Bercy was sold privately for €26,000 to Daniel Cole in Deauville last October. Her dam, Dehia (Mastercraftsman), retired a maiden and is a sister to Baby Rider (Gleneagles), a Prix Greffulhe (Gr2) winner who failed to progress thereafter and later moved to Australia without much success. Nonetheless, her dam is a sister to the Derby winner Wings of Eagles (Pour Moi).
Keep an eye on a yearling filly by Ten Sovereigns from this family.
FLY HALF (c2), FRA by No Nay Never ex Fact Finding (Zoffany)
Prix du Coq Chantant (Unraced 2-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,000m/5f), May 7, 2024, Chantilly
Owners: Guy Heald, Mikel Delzangles, Écurie des Monceaux
Trainer: Mikel Delzangles
Breeders: B. B. Partnership, Écurie des Monceaux, Beauregard Bloodstock
Rider: Gérald Mossé
Taking the lead in the middle of the course, Fly Half (No Nay Never) was kept busy throughout yet managed to fend off all challengers, finishing with some ease ahead of Detonate (Siyouni), who also had taken an early lead closer to the stands' rail. Following them, Ciaran (Van Beethoven) had to bide his time to sneak ahead of the favourite Jawwal (Wooded), who struggled to get ahead of the front-runners. Although Ciaran couldn't quite catch up, he finished just a head behind Detonate, who was a short length behind our winner.
Fly Half is the first foal out of Fact Finding (Zoffany), a mare trained by Jean-Claude Rouget for Coolmore, who managed four third-place finishes in five starts before retiring to stud. She was then sold for €105,000, in foal to Fly Half, to Écurie des Monceaux. This looks like a bargain given that although neither she nor her dam, Truth (Galileo), won their races, Fact Finding's second dam is Prudenzia (Dansili), the dam of Gr1 winners Magic Wand (Galileo) and Chicquita (Montjeu).
Fly Half himself was a buyback at €65,000 at the last Arqana August sales. A colt by Zarak followed last year, and perhaps he will benefit from the success of his older brother.
SCHIKERIA (f3), FRA by Zarak ex Society Lady (Zafeen)
Prix Praline (Unraced 3-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1m), May 6, 2024, Saint-Cloud
Owners: Haras de Saint-Julien, Regula Vannod
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Breeder: Haras de Saint-Julien, Regula Vannod
Rider: Ioritz Mendizabal
Initially set to debut last October and November, Schikeria (Zarak) finally made her first appearance after a six-month delay. Quickly rushing forward from her 12 draw, Schikeria secured a nice position next to the early leader, Lycada (Flintshire). As they entered the straight, the duo was soon challenged by St Elvira (Ectot), who had travelled wide, and Saganne (Zelzal), who surged from even further back. Saganne clinched 2nd place at the post by a head over Pinta (Zarak), who had enjoyed the perfect trip, with St Elvira and Lycada finishing in line for 3rd and 4th. Schikeria impressively held them off to maintain a solid lead at the finish.
Schikeria is the second foal out of Society Lady (Zafeen), a winner at Dieppe over 7 furlongs at three who has also produced Society Man (Cracksman), a recent winner of his third race at Strasbourg over the same distance. A Toronado filly, still in training with Fabrice Chappet sporting the same colours, and a yearling filly by Persian King came along.
Schikeria's fourth dam is also the third dam to outstanding horses such as Sister Charlie, Sottsass, and My Sister Nat.
STRASSIA (f3), FRA by Kendargent ex Stracy (Motivator)
Prix de la Bretonnière (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 2,200m/1m3f), May 5, 2024, ParisLongchamp
Owners: Guy Pariente Holding, Écurie Bernd & Torsten Raber
Trainer: Ludovic Gadbin
Breeders: Guy Pariente Holding, Écurie Bernd & Torsten Raber
Rider: Théo Bachelot
Following a promising debut fifth in the Prix de Chaillot, Strassia (Kendargent) took the lead this time and proved unstoppable in the closing stages. Threatened mid-straight by favourite Solite (Dubawi) on her inside—who faltered suddenly after rejoining—and Lilly Lux (Free Port Lux) on her outside, Strassia rallied to win impressively by one and a half lengths ahead of Aqua Augusta (Lope de Vega), who finished strongly, and Zerafa (Dariyan), who was contesting her second race, like the winner.
Strassia was purchased for €33,000 at the Arqana September sales by her trainer, Ludovic Gadbin. A year later, her Goken sister failed to sell at €120,000. Their unraced dam, Stracy (Motivator), was bought for €30,000 at the Osarus sales by Christophe Ferland. She boasts a stunning Argentine lineage imported from the USA by the Head family through Haras du Quesnay. Stracy has also produced a Critérium de Lyon (L) winner, Strako, a full brother to the talented Strassia, currently training at a modest level with Anastasia Wattel. Following are a Goken filly trained by Christophe Ferland and a Kendargent colt born in 2023.
WITH STARS (f3), (IRE) by Sea the Stars ex With You (Dansili)
Prix de Sèvres (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 1,850m/9f), May 5, 2024, ParisLongchamp
Owner: George Strawbridge
Trainer: Victoria Head
Breeder: George Strawbridge
Rider: Ludovic Boisseau
The race was run at a brisk pace led by My Desert Queen (Lope de Vega), closely followed on the inside by favourite Bassett Belle (Wootton Bassett), who was keen and pulled going down the hill, and outsider Monbe (Le Havre), racing wide. With Stars (Sea the Stars), sporting blinkers for the first time after an unconvincing season opener (7th), saw action heat up in the final straight. Bassett Belle attempted to break away but couldn't shake off With Stars, who was tracked further out by Spera (Mastercraftsman). Spera seemed to hit a wall a hundred meters from the post after covering the 3rd and 2nd last furlongs in 24’’96, nearly matching Alyaqut (Hunter’s Light), who surged from even further back. With Stars, staying on strongly throughout, dominated the final stretch.
With Stars is the first foal out of the outstanding With You (Dansili), a Prix Rothschild (Gr1) winner and placed, who has since produced a colt by Lope de Vega and a filly by Siyouni.
DAYLIGHT (f2), FRA by Earthlight ex Latita (Silver Frost)
Prix des Closeaux (Unraced 2-year-olds, 1,200m/6f), May 2, 2024, Chantilly
Owners: Gousserie Racing, Sandrine Gavrois
Trainer: Patrice Cottier
Breeders: Écurie Haras du Cadran, Pierre Van Belle
Rider: Cristian Demuro
As the favourite among four other fillies and three colts, Daylight (Earthlight) broke best and was never truly challenged, cruising to a win by over four lengths over Aleksine (Mehmas), who kept pace as long as possible—Aleksine even clocked the 2nd last furlong stretch a fraction quicker than the winner, 11’’85 to 11’’86—and finished three lengths ahead of third-place Honey Star (Goken). The times posted by these debutants outshone those of the 3-year-olds over the same course and distance later in a Class 1 race, highlighting the significance of Daylight's performance.
The filly was purchased for €85,000 as a yearling at the Deauville sales by Peretti Bloodstock. Her dam, Latita (Silver Frost), concluded a successful two-year-old campaign with a win in the Critérium du Languedoc (L). Third in the Prix de la Grotte (Gr3) upon her return, she faltered in two subsequent starts before retiring to stud, initially sold for €20,000 post-training to Haras du Cadran, co-breeder of Daylight... Since then, the mare has also produced a yearling colt by Zelzal. A 3-year-old by Churchill, Upside Down, is in training with Jean-Claude Rouget, who also trained the dam for her second campaign. He has won his first race at the 4th attempt, nine days after his younger sister, at Tarbes in the Southwest. Latita comes from the same family as Manzor (Cricket Ball), winner of the Prix du Petit Couvert Sprint (Gr3).