August 2020 maiden winners

ALGIERS (C3), IRE by Shamardal ex Antara (Platini)

Prix de Villarmains (Maiden 3-year-olds, 2,100m/10.5f), August 31, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Godolphin

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Sixth for his debut, almost a year ago, on the same track and over 1,400 meters, then beaten by a neck only three weeks later over the same distance while he was entered in the Prix Jean- Luc Lagardère (Gr1) and the Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1), Algiers (Shamardal) began this season in July only. He had been entered in the Prix du Jockey Club, but returned on the next day, over 1m4f, and he finished once again second. Also second at Vichy over 10f afterwards, he finally won his maiden here, having taken the lead in the first turn despite his outside draw in this race of seven runners… He was also entered in the Prix du Prince d'Orange (Gr3), this Sunday, and the Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1), a week later. 

His dam Antara (Platini) notably finished second in the Darley Prix Jean Romanet (Gr1) won by Stacelita in 2010. After him, the German-bred mare foaled another Shamardal colt now 2 and trained by André Fabre but unraced to date.

JUBILATION (F2), IRE by Acclamation ex Fairy Dancer (Fastnet Rock)

Prix d’Exmes (Maiden 2-year-old fillies, 1,200m/6f), August 25, Deauville

Owners: Susan Davis, Ballylinch Stud, Peter Ronald Mitchell & Melissa O’Neill

Trainer: Eoghan O’Neill

Breeder: Ballylinch Stud

Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Twice second for her first two outings, then in the Darley Prix de Cabourg (Gr3), Jubilation (Acclamation) was never really challenged here, leaving the second-placed Kennela (Kendargent) at 2.5 lengths without seeming to need any urging.

Jubilation was paid £60,000 at the Newmarket sales by Eoghan O’Neill, her trainer. Her Churchill yearling sister is entered in the same session this October. The 3rd dam Pharaoh’s Delight (Fairy King) is twice Gr1 winner at 2 and a good sprinter. Jubilation's dam Fairy Dancer (Fastnet Rock) never won. She is, however, a sister to multiple Gr1 winner Red Rocks (Galileo).

SCARFACE (C2), FRA by Dream Ahead ex Dolce Attesa (Dr Fong)

Prix de Caen (Maiden 2-year-old colts and Geldings, 1,200m/6f), August 25, Deauville

Owner: Scuderia Micolo

Trainer: Andrea Marcialis

Breeder: Scuderia Micolo

Rider: Cristian Demuro

Twice second for her first two outings, both times over 7f, then 6th over 8.5f, and fitted with blinkers for the first time for this first trial over 6f, Scarface (Dream Ahead) was pretty keen early on, as long as her rider tried to hold her behind the leaders. One left alone, though, she went to the front on her own and was never really threatened by the second-placed Favaritx (Shalaa), beaten a good length with the field further down.

Scarface was bred in France by her Italian owner, Nicola Galli's Scuderia Micolo. He'a brother to Pure Zen (Zoffany), a Prix François Boutin (L) winner last year for the same connections.

4 times a winner in Italy, their dam Dolce Attesa (Dr Fong) also gave a Zelzal filly in 2019.

AREEN (C2), USA by Giant’s Causeway ex Grey Lina (Empire Maker)

Prix Étalon Mukhadram (Poulains entiers et hongres maiden de 2 ans, 1 600m), samedi 22 août 2020 à Deauville

Owner: Abdullah Al Maddah

Trainer: Pia & Joakim Brandt

Breeder: Marbat LLC

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Last for his debut, over 7f at Chantilly against horses who had already started, Areen (Giant's Causeway) won this time after following the leaders outside and taking a nose on Fernoboy (Rajsaman), whom he had followed from the start. Always on the front row, Botanik (Golden Horn) finished third at a length. The favourite Boomerang (Literato) had too much ground to make up after galloping at the rear and finished 4th.

Bought € 145,000 at the Deauville sales, Areen is the fourth foal out of the unraced Grey Lina (Empire Maker), who also gave the US stakes winner Royal by Nature (Myboycharlie), and recently a Maclean's Music filly also bred in the US last year. Areen's second dam, Mysterious Lina (Linamix), is a Listed winner and a Prix de la Nonette (Gr3) second.

DJO FRANÇAIS (C2), FRA by Intello ex Nazlia (Polish Precedent)

Prix de Montaigu (Unraced 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), August 20, Deauville

Owner: Joseph Lesguer

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeders: Bénédicte Ferry Abitbol, Lylia Cadet & Haras de Montaigu

Rider: Cristian Demuro

Impressive win of Djo Français (Intello), who scores without seeming extended by more than one length over The Charmer (Sommerabend), who came a moment before him after travelling in 4th position. Coming from the rear, Spirit of the Moon (Sea The Moon) finished third at a length. A green favourite Kertez (Intello) stayed on in fourth.

The winning colt was bought by Yvan Lemonnier for € 45,000 at the Deauville sales, and his older sister Keira (Turtle Bowl), 11 years old and full of Ectot, was bought back for € 105,000 at the Arqana sales last February.

This is the tenth foal out of Nazlia (Polish Precedent), a mare bred by the Aga Khan, sister to the good Shutterbug (Soldier of Fortune), winner of two races in November at 3 over 1m4f, sold soon afterwards for € 62,000 at the Deauville breeding sales to Agence FIPS. She gave Aubevoye (Le Havre), winner of the Prix Pélléas (L).

Nazlia has since given a Wings of Eagles filly born last year.

She is from a François Dupré bloodline, breeder of the fourth dam of Djo Français, Nièce Divine (Great Nephew), winner at Vittel, Nancy and Montier-en-Der for trainer François Mathet, and the dam of Jockey Club winner Natroun ...

Click here to get the sectional timings.

VALLORIA (F2), FRA by Dubawi ex Célèbre Vadala (Peintre Célèbre)

Prix de la Reboursière (Unraced 2-year-old fillies, 1,500m7.5f AWT), August 20, Deauville

Owner: Haras de Saint-Pair

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeder: Haras de Saint-Pair

Rider: Cristian Demuro

Held behind the leaders, Valloria (Dubawi) quickly made a difference in the homestretch in the middle of the track and won cosily, by a length and a half, beating Virtuosité (Camelot), who had followed similar tactics but on the inside.

A bad starter, Cythère (Camelot) came from the rear, running on impressively to finish third-, also at a length and a half.

Valloria was entered but withdrawn at Tattersalls.

The winner is the eighth foal, and the last to date, out of Célèbre Vadala (Peintre Célèbre), a broodmare bred by Jean-Luc Lagardère who raced for the Aga Khan, for whom she won two races including the Prix Mélisande (L) at Fontainebleau. She herself is a sister to double Gr1 winner Valixir (Trempolino), to the dam of Vadawina (Unfuwain) and Vazira (Sea the Stars), both Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) winners, all from the family of Val Royal (Royal Academy), who won a Breeders'Cup Mile (Gr1), etc.

Valloria is a sister to Vadamos (Monsun), one of the best milers in the world in 2016, and of Listed winner Volfango (Dutch Art).

She was bred by her owner, Andreas Putsch's Haras de Saint-Pair, who bought Célèbre Vadala € 525,000, full of Selkirk.

Click here to get the sectional timings.

MR DE POURCEAUGNAC (g3), FRA by Camelot ex Russian Hill (Indian Ridge)

Prix de Criqueville (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), August 20, Deauville

Owner: Édouard de Rothschild

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Écurie de Meautry

Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

The two favourites of this thirteen runners maiden race took the first two places, the gelding Mr de Pourceaugnac (Camelot) gamely taking a short neck over the filly Animal Fever (Animal Kingdom) in the last hundred yards after having trailed her by the field and having come into the centre of the track, once well balanced. The beginner Savannah Spirit (Invincible Spirit) finished third at three lengths, ahead of the front-running Bouquet Rouge (Kizuna), who tried to get away at the start of the home stretch.

The winner started at 2 with a seventh place on the Chantilly all-weather in December, about eight lengths behind the future winner of the Prix Paul de Moussac Longines (Gr3), National Service. He had been gelded in July.

He didn't reappear until July 31 at Clairefontaine, with an outside draw, and he finished a nice fifth.

His dam Russian Hill (Indian Ridge) won the Grand Prix de Compiègne (L) and was placed in the Prix Corrida (Gr2), Royallieu (Gr2) and Pomone (Gr2). She is a sister of the champion mare Esoterique (Danehill Dancer) and the sire Archange d'Or (Danehill), but also the dam of Russian Soul (Invincible Spirit), winner of Group3s over 6 furlongs in Ireland and Dubai.

A Shalaa filly was born in 2019.

HOMERYAN (C2), FRA by Sea the Stars ex Roxelana (Red Ransom)

Prix de Tour-en-Bessin (Maiden 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,400m/7f), August 13, Deauville

Owner: Ecurie de Montlahuc

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeders: Sunderland Holding, Hilary Erculiani & Élevage de Tourgeville

Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

Third for his debut, over the same distance at Compiègne, Homeryan (Sea the Stars) was held back this time and placed last. He shifted towards the rail going into the home stretch and prevailed by two lengths.

He was bought for € 125,000 at the Deauville sales by Broadhurst Agency (Laurent Benoît), which is not very expensive considering that the Sea the Stars covering fee is now worth € 150,000. His dam Roxelana (Red Ransom), an Aga Khan-bred mare unraced filly, is out of a Listed-winner, full sister to the sire Rajsaman and dam of Rosanara (Sinndar), winner of the Marcel Boussac (Gr1), second in the Prix de Diane (Gr1). A sister to Homeryan by Al Wukair was born in 2019.

ASTERELLA (F2), FRA by Olympic Glory ex Astoria (Orpen)

Prix de Falaise (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,400m/7f), August 13, Deauville

Owner: John Goelet

Trainer: Mikel Delzangles

Breeder: John Goelet

Rider: Vincent Cheminaud

Fourth behind the good Rougir for her debut, just behind King's Harlequin before he won a Listed race, Asterella (Olympic Glory) again finished 4th over 7 furlongs at Chantilly, where she had to slalom through the field, finishing well.

Ridden closer to the pace this time, on a very soft course, she took the lead about 300 yards out and won very easily, 5.5 lengths ahead of Denia (Camelot) and Isle of White (Siyouni), whom she had beaten lately after finishing three lengths behind her for her debut.

Asterella's dam, Asteria (Orpen), also bred by John Goelet, won just one race, over 7 furlongs at Compiègne, in 18 attempts. But she still earned over € 76,000 in 23 months. Also fourth in the Prix Sigy (L) over 6 furlongs, she gave four foals, including Asterios (Maxios), who won over 7 furlongs at Dieppe. She also has a filly by Al Wukair born in 2019.

WILD MAJESTY (G3), IRE by Kodiac ex Moojha (Forest Wildcat)

Prix Hipodromo de San Isidro (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,100m/5.5f), August 9, Deauville

Owner: Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum

Trainer: Henri-François Devin

Breeder: Rabbah Bloodstock

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Twice second and once fourth until then, and often too keen for his own good, Wild Majesty (Kodiac) was this time deliberately held back at the start by Mickaël Barzalona and he was able to take over the two leaders in the final 100 yards and win by ¾ of a length over the front-runners Navidad (Kendargent) and Madame Pandora (Exceed and Excel), the latter fading in the end but still remaining clear third.

Wild Majesty was bought for £ 400,000 at Newmarket Yearling Sales. His full sister Frenetic was sold for £ 170,000 a year later in the same auction. Their dam, the American mare Moojha (Forest Wildcat), winner across the Atlantic, also gave Big Handsome (Street Boss), third in Group 2 in the USA, and Frenetic, now 2 years old and placed in Group 2 in Ireland.

LOULIANA (F2), IRE by Acclamation et Rosie’s Premiere (Showcasing)

Prix Hipodromo de Gavea (Unraced 2-year-old fillies, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), August 9, Deauville

Owners: Mbaye Niang SNC & Scuderia Il Fino

Trainer: Frédéric Rossi

Breeder: Haras du Mézeray

Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

The racecourse tip and favourite of this beginners' race, Louliana (Acclamation) dominated the field, taking the lead from the start to pull away irresistibly in the home stretch and win on the bit by a good length. Second after following her by the rail, her neighbour in the starting stalls with a #1 draw Israaj (Helmet) ran on well while Dream of Change (Iffraaj) finished third at a neck after having travelled outside with her #10 draw. The fourth-placed Abfab (Siyouni) came back from the rear in a promising style.

Entered in the Shadwell Prix du Calvados (Gr2) in thirteen days, Louliana was sold € 44,000 as a yearling in Deauville then presented at the Arqana / Goffs breeze-ups where she was bought for £ 80,000 by MAB Agency (Marc -Antoine Berghgracht) for football player Mbaye Niang and the Marseilles stable named Il Scuderia Fino. Her sister by Dark Angel goes to the Arqana selection sales in September.

SPECIALMENTE (C2), IRE by Lawman ex Young Special (Fastnet Rock)

Prix Equidia/ Prix de Val Sery (Unraced 2-year-old colts & geldings, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), August 8, Deauville

Owners: A&G Botti

Trainers: A&G Botti

Breeder: -

Rider: Cristian Demuro

Fast ahead on this fast trip on the all-weather track, Specialmente (Lawman) never gave way and fought hard to the wire, beating Farfar (Union Rags), who came from the rear, by 3/4 of a length. Batukhan (Fastnet Rock) finished well along the rail in third.

Bought for € 21,000 as a yearling at the Tattersalls Ireland sale, Specialmente is the first foal out of Young Special (Fastnet Rock), who ran 4 times without a win or a place in Ireland and also gave a Lawman filly sold at the latest Goffs sale for €6,000.

Click here for the race's sectional timing.

LA BURE (F2), IRE by The Gurkha ex Way of Light (Dylan Thomas)

Prix La Course des Grandes Gueules / Prix du Mézeray (2-year-old maiden fillies, 1,500m/7.5f), August 6, Deauville

Owners: Écurie Jean-Louis Tepper & Frank McNulty

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeder: Edgeridge Ltd

Rider: Coralie Pacaut

Fourth for his debut, after a good run about one furlong out, in July at Saint-Cloud over 6 furlongs, La Bure (The Gurkha) this time took the lead and went away in the straight to win by about two lengths over Captious (Frankel), who had followed her by the rail.

La Bure is out of Way of Light (Dylan Thomas), not, of course, to be confused with the Niarchos sire. Way of Light won a maiden in Navan, Ireland, where she was bred. She is a sister to four winners whose dam, the Frenchbred Miss Champagne (Bering), is herself a full sister to Stella Bérine (Bering), winner of the Prix Eclipse (Gr3), like her own dam Beaujolaise (Thatching)!

POLICY OF TRUTH (C2), FRA by Siyouni ex Daw to Dane (Selkirk)

Prix de la course RMC Direct/ Prix d’Étreham (2-year-old maiden colts and geldings, 1,500m/7.5f), August 6, Deauville

Owners: Écuries Serge Stempniak & Pia Brandt

Trainers: Pia & Joakim Brandt

Breeders: Sahara Group Holdings & Eurowest Bloodstock Services

Rider: Théo Bachelot

After a slow start for his debut, at Chantilly on July 17, Policy of Truth (Siyouni) had nevertheless given a nice final effort to take the sixth place. checked behind the leading group for this second attempt, he took his time to find momentum in the last straight while Ethnic Type (Fast Company) was rallying from the rear to take over the front-runners, but once balanced, about one furlong out, Policy of Truth took the lead over Ethnic Type, who never let go but couldn't quite challenge the winner and was beaten by just a short neck. Coming from the rail, Skycutter (Scissor Kick) finished third one length down the field.

Bought for € 30,000 at the Deauville yearling sales by his trainers, Policy of Truth is out of a sister to the champion sprinter Namid (Indian Ridge), a Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (Gr1) winner. Danw To Dance also foaled Siberian Iris (Acclamation), recent second in Santa Anita of the San Juan Capistrano Stakes (Gr3) over 1m6f on turf.

MIDLIFE CRISIS (C2), FRA by Wootton Bassett ex The Hunt is On (Manhattan Rain)

Prix Le Bougnat / Prix de Crévecœur (Unraced 2-year-old colts & geldings, 1,500m/7.5f), August 4, Deauville

Owner: Shigeo Nomura

Trainer: Hiroo Shimizu

Breeders: Haras d’Étreham, Meridian International, Cofinvest & Benoît Chalmel

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

The first out of the stalls, Midlife Crisis (Wootton Bassett) led all the way and went away in the last straight to score by 5 lengths, beating Bouttemont (Acclamation), who took over the rest of the field after coming along outside in the bend.

The winner is out of the Australian-bred mare The Hunt is On (Manhattan Rain), who won a minor maiden at Naracoorte in South Australia. Her dam Catshaan (Catrail), however, is a sister to a champion sprinter in Japan, and she gave two Group 1 winners in Australia, Absolutely (Redoute’s Choice), winner of the Australian Oaks (Gr1), and Abbey Marie (Redoute’s Choice), winner of the Australasian Oaks (Gr1) ...

This family originates from the Rothschild in France! Midlife Crisis's 4th dam is no other than Featherhill, bred by Guy de Rothschild and dam of Keltshaan (Pleasant Colony), who had been sold to Australia without a run and is the winner's 3rd dam, but also the dam of the champion and sire Green Dancer !

before this outstanding colt, The Hunt is On gave Nouvelle Escale (Lonhro), winner of a claimer now out of training, and a yearling filly by Siyouni …

Click here for this race's sectional timing.

PETRICOR (F2), GB by Frankel ex Ruscombe (Dansili)

Prix Les Ammonites / Prix des Marettes (Unraced 2-year-old fillies, 1,500m/7.5f), August 4, Deauville

Owner: Khalid Abdullah

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeders: Juddmonte Farms

Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

fast out of the starting stalls with Grace Shelby (Shalaa), Petricor (Frankel) slipped behind the leading group in 6th. Slowly moved out entering the last straight, she easily took over and win by 1.5 lengths over Grace Shelby and another front-runner, Kid Conte (Lemon Drop Kid). Jalwa (Shalaa), Trixia de Vega (Lope de Vega) and Anasia (Intello) finished in the same frame just behind in that order.

Petricor's dam Ruscombe (Dansili) was trained in Britain and only won a maiden at 3 in June over 10 furlongs. Ruscombe, however, is out of the Park Hill Stakes (Gr3) winner Eva Luna (Alleged), also dam of Brian Boru (Sadler’s Wells), winner of the Racing Post Trophy (Gr1) and of the St. Leger (Gr1), and Sea Moon (Beat Hollow), a Hardwicke Stakes (Gr2) winner.

Click here for this race's sectional timing.

KALAHARA (F2), (GB) by Frankel ex Désertiste (Green Desert)

Prix Indeauville / Prix d’Avranches (2-year-old maiden fillies, 1,200m/6f), August 2, Deauville

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Christophe Ferland

Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

This Kiss (Siyouni) showed the way against the rail with Janouche (Morpheus), Jibber Jabber (Epaulette) and Blitz Spirit (Free Eagle) travelling at her side and the favourite Kalahara (Frankel) well positioned just behind that leading group. The latter was able to slip between horses and gain the upper hand in the last furlong, beating a brave Jibber Jabber, finally second at a good length, only a neck in front of Bonita Queen (Arcano), who finished well, and Altalune (Elzaam), who had joined the fray two out and never gave in.

It was Kalahara’s third race, second on her June debut at La Teste, and third most recently at Saint-Cloud, where she took the lead early on. but couldn't keep up in the last 100 yards. The winner on the day, Cœursamba has since finished third in the Prix Six Perfections (Gr3).

Kalahara’s older brother, Takuendo (Deep Impact), has just been sold for € 24,000 at the Arqana Summer Sales. They are siblings of Sasparella (Shamardal), a winner of the Prix Eclipse (Gr3), which will be Kalahara’s next goal according to her trainer, Christophe Ferland.

The winner's second dam is the Prix de la Forêt (Gr1) winner Occupandiste (Kaldoun), so that their dam Désertiste (Green Desert), who won two races over 8.5f at Chinon and 5 furlongs at Angoulême, is a full sister to Only Answer (Green Desert), a sprinting Group 3 winner.

Sectional timing here: http://www7.france-galop.com/Casaques/Tracking/20200802DEA01_last_times_fr.pdf

DAHIYA (C2), FRA by Invincible Spirit ex Jadhaba (Galileo)

Prix Irish River (Maiden 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,200m/6f), August 1st, Deauville

Owners: Al Shaqab Racing

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeders: Al Shaqab Racing

Rider: Vincent Cheminaud

A good fourth for his debut against horses who had already had a run, Dahiya (Invincible Spirit) confirmed he meant business but only won by a short head as a front-running Rapido Presto (Pedro the Great) never gave way on the stands' side.

Another leader, Bran (Muhaarar) stayed on well and finished third at ¾ of a length.

Dahiya was bred in France by Al Shaqab Racing, his owners, who had purchased his dam Jadhaba (Galileo), out of the very good Naissance Royale (Giant's Causeway), for € 620,000 at the Deauville yearling sales. The filly had only raced three times, including a victory at 2 for her second outing. She had raced only once again, at 3, finishing 3rd in the Prix Pénélope (Gr3) won by Camprock ahead of The Juliet Rose.

Dahiya is her first offspring, followed by a Siyouni colt born in 2019.