August 2021 Maiden winners

VAZIR (c3), FRA by Siyouni ex Vazira (Sea the Stars)

Prix de Criqueville (Maiden 3-year-olds, 2,500m/12.5f AWT), August 28, Deauville

• Owner: H. H. Aga Khan
• Trainer: Alain de Royer Dupré
• Breeder: Haras de S. A. Aga Khan
• Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Third for his debut in May at Strasbourg and then  Longchamp, Vazir (Siyouni) was placed every month after that. He had just finished fourth for his first steps over 1m4f, at Clairefontaine on soft ground and leaning hard to the right in the final stages. This time, for his first attempt on an all-weather track, Vazir left the rearguard going into the last stretch, then came by outside of Teddy Blue (Sea the Moon), whom he ultimately dominated by a half-length after once again some hesitation.

Vazir is the third foal out of Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) winner Vazira (Sea the Stars), who previously gave two foals including Variyann (Shamardal), winner of two races on all-weather in England and sold for £ 47,000 in February at Tattersalls. She gave another 2-year-old by Teofilo who is also in training with Alain de Royer Dupré.

 

CILANTRO (c2), FRA by Wootton Bassett ex Pitamore (More Than Ready)

Prix du Quartier Saint-François (Maiden 2-year-old colts & geldings, 1,600m/1m), August 26, Deauville

• Owners: Wertheimer & Frère
• Trainer: Christophe Ferland
• Breeders: Wertheimer & Frère
• Rider: Maxime Guyon

Outpaced early on but finishing well for his debut at La Teste, where he ultimately failed by a short head over 7 furlongs against horses who had already had a run, Cilantro (Wootton Bassett) got off to a better start this time. He travelled in fourth position then, and finally took over the front-runner Mister Saint Paul (Dariyan), whom he left at a length and a half while Everillo (Amarillo), who had tried to throw his own challenge two out, kept going in third at two lengths.

Bred by the Wertheimer brothers, Cilantro is Pitamore's (More than Ready) second foal after Katafonic (Iffraaj), sold for € 13,000 as a maiden in summer 2020 to Rodolphe Collet, and who has since won two handicaps for Mathieu Offenstadt and was then claimed a few times.

Pitamore is a sister to Funny Kid (Lemon Drop Kid), winner of the Prix de Barbeville (Gr3). It's an American family.

 

CHANTARELLA (f2), FRA by Charm Spirit ex Eiria (King’s Best)

Prix de la Maison de l’Armateur (Maiden 2-year-old fillies, 1,600m/1m), August 26, Deauville

• Owner: Lutz Bongen
• Trainer: Markus Nigge
• Breeder: Lutz Bongen
• Rider: Marie Velon

Fourth for her Dieppe debut in good style, after travelling in the rear, Chantarella (Charm Spirit) took the lead this time and bravely repelled all challenges, although the second-placed Romantic Rose (Nathaniel) just missed by a short head.

Chantarella is the second foal out of Eiria (King's Best), winner of four races under the same colours of Lutz Bongen, including a handicap with a 61lbs rating, a sister to the good handicapper Toijk (Siyouni) and sold for € 12,000, barren, in February 2020 to Sylvain Vidal at the Arqana mixed sales. The oldest foal out of Chantarella by Intello is still a maiden. Eiria then gave a filly from Le Havre born in 2021.

 

REBEL PATH (c2), FRA by Iffraaj ex Royale du Buisson (Invincible Spirit)

Prix de Caen (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,200m/6f), August 24, Deauville

• Owner: Godolphin
• Trainer: André Fabre
• Breeder: Écurie des Monceaux & Lordship Stud
• Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Entered as early as June, and also in the Prix La Rochette (Gr3) and the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1), Rebel Path (Iffraaj) started his career in August with a 2nd place behind Top Gear. He won at 2nd asking on the same trip, holding off the filly Malavath (Mehmas), well beaten by the promising Shaikha for her own debut, also this month at Deauville.

Rebel Path was sold at Deauville for €160,000. He's out of Royale du Buisson (Invincible Spirit), a winner once at 3 for her seasonal debut, but after 5 races at 2, and a sister to the good Ride Like the Wind (Lope de Vega)

 

MANGOUSTINE (f2), FRA by Dark Angel ex Zotilla (Zamindar)

Prix de la Reboursière (Unraced 2-year-old colts & geldings, 1,600m/1M), August 22 août, Deauville

• Owners: Infinity Nine Horses, Écrie des Monceaux, Qatar Racing Ltd & Alexandre Giannotti

• Trainer: Frédéric Rossi

• Breeders: Écurie des Monceaux, Lorship Stud & Qatar Bloodstock Ltd

• Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Bought € 46,000 at the Deauville sales by David Redvers, Mangoustine (Dark Angel) has remained the property of some of her breeders and she was the favourite for her debuts. Trained by Frédéric Rossi, she justified that status by winning decisively after travelling by the rail in fifth and then 8th position, a bit like the winner of the colts’ version minutes earlier, Good Too. She then took over and held off the front-running Albea (Nathaniel), who had come closer inside the field in the turn, joining the leader Spirited Account (Charm Spirit), who could not stay on in the end. Mademoiselle Rose (Shalaa) went fast outside the field in the last turn before finishing third at ¾ length, a neck ahead of Know Thyself (Galileo), who also came from behind.

A brother to Mangoustine by Zoustar goes to the Tattersalls sales in October. Their dam Zotilla (Zamindar), a sister to Breeders' Cup and Poule d'Essai winner Flotilla (Mizzen Mast), raced only once, finishing fifth in a maiden at 3 in April at Longchamp before being sold for € 550,000 at the Deauville sales. She was sold in December 2019 in foal to the yearling due to be sold at Tattersalls…

 

GOOD TOO (c2), FRA by Ectot ex Netsuke (Aragorn)

Prix de Montaigu (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1M), August 22, Deauville

• Owner: Al Shaqab Racing

• Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

• Breeder: Elisabeth Ribard

• Rider: Cristian Demuro

   

Good Too (Ectot) started well but his rider held him to travel in 5th by the rail. He then gradually moved him out going off the last bend and the colt made never looked back from there, winning by two and a half lengths in front of Great Rotation (Siyouni).

Yoozuna did not have much room when Maxime Guyon made his move going into the last straight, and he finally took over Great Rotation, who also travelled in the rear.

Good Too was bought for € 55,000 at the Arqana yearling sales after being unsold there as a weanling at € 42,000. He was consigned on both occasions by La Motteraye Consignment. It was at the same price of € 42,000 that Elisabeth Ribard, breeder of Too Good, bought her dam Netsuke (Aragorn), a handicap winner with a 68lbs-tag, in foal to Olympic Glory. She had previously foaled Nunzia (Epaulette), a Listed-placed at 2. It is a Brazilian family, with Netsuke being a sister to the group winner there. She gave, after Good Too, an Ectot filly who is now a yearling.

 

ROSACEA (f2), (IRE) by Soldier Hollow ex Relizane (Zamindar)

Prix d’Avranches (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,600m), August 21, Deauville

• Owner: Haras de la Pérelle
• Trainer: Stéphane Wattel
• Breeder: Haras de la Pérelle
• Rider: Théo Bachelot

Fifth for her debut over Clairefontaine's mile earlier this month, ¾ length behind Anador (Anodin), whom she was facing again here, Rosacea (Soldier Hollow) got nice revenge on the latter this time. Placed on the second row of this small seven inexperienced juveniles' field, the Jurgen Winter's Haras de la Pérelle homebred stayed on well over 7 furlongs to hold off a fast-finishing Cassis ( Ribchester), second at a length and a half after travelling at the rear. Anador briefly challenged the winner before finishing third at nearly a length.

Rosacea is the third foal out of Relizane (Zamindar), winner at Nantes and sister to the champion mare Reggane (Red Ransom), also racing for La Pérelle. Rosacea's older brother, Royal Guard (Holy Roman Emperor), was sold for € 110,000 at Arqana and is still a maiden, albeit several times placed, across the Channel after eleven races. A Tamayuz filly was born last year.

 

PENNYBAKER (f3), USA by Medaglia d’Oro ex Macaroon (Tapit)

Prix After Foot - Prix du Hamel (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,500m/7.5F AWT), August 19, Deauville

• Owner: Godolphin SNC
• Trainer: Henri-Alex Pantall
• Breeder: Godolphin
• Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Well-regarded by her trainer before her debut, Pennybaker (Medaglia d’Oro) opens her account with her first trial over the all-weather. Well out of the stalls, she joined the leaders three furlongs after the start. Pennybaker went on and flew away 2 out, veering on her left though, yet winning easily, by 2 lengths over Magic Sound (Kingman), already twice placed at Münich and Dieppe. A green Carlina (Dabirsim) was outpaced early on but came back nicely in third.

Born and raised in the USA, Pennybaker is out of an American bloodline, being by Medaglia d’Oro and Macaroon (Tapit), also bred by the Maktoums and a winner of three races Stateside out of 9 starts. The 2nd dam Fast Cookie (Deputy Minister) won at Group level.

 

ROCCIA NERA (f2), FRA by Dream Ahead ex (Exceed and Excel)

Prix Les Grandes Gueules - Prix d’Argentan (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,500m/7.5F AWT), August 19, Deauville

• Owner: Woodpark Bloodstock LTD
• Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
• Breeder: Aleyrion Bloodstock LTD
• Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

Roccia Nera (Dream Ahead) is the 3rd 2-year-old winning filly trained by Fabrice Chappet this term, and the first at Deauville this Summer. A little outpaced at the start, she came back with a leader and came in between horses in the last stretch to win without deploying too many efforts. For this second run, a first again the colts, she proved to be quite professional, fighting all the way with Loubeisien (Kheleyf) to finally prevail by 2 lengths. Perl (Areion) is 3rd at 2 other lengths.

Roccia Nera is a full sister to the Prix Miesque (Gr3) winner Sweety Dream, trained by Pascal Bary. All their siblings won first at 3. Their dam Excellent Girl (Exceed and Excel) also broke her maiden at 3 over 10 furlongs and went on to get some places at Group level. She was 4th in the 2009 Saint-Alary (Gr1) too. All of her 6 foals have won so far ...

 

HALLOWED TIME (g3), IRE by Hallowed Crown ex Groupetime (Gilded Time)

Prix Les Grandes Gueules du Sport - Prix du Louvet (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,100m/5.5F), August 19, Deauville

• Owners: Justwow LTD & Melissa O’Neill
• Trainer: Eoghan O’Neill
• Breeder: M. Sinanan
• Rider: Cristian Demuro

Fice consecutive second places and finally, a victory! Yet it looked easier than it sounds for Hallowed Time (Hallowed Crown). It was her second trial over a straight course too. He had already done well on such a trip at Vichy in May. The best out of the gate, the Eoghan O’Neill-trained gelding flew away about 2 out to win by a smashing 6 lengths over  Eoinstyle (Style Vendôme). Nemba (Bated Breath) gripping inch after inch in the end to snatch the 3rd place.

Halloweed Time went twice to the sales, first as a weanling when sold for € 12,500 at Goffs in Ireland. A year later at Goffs UK, he was unsold at £2 000 £ by Ridge Manor. His dam Groupetime (Gilded Time) is from an American bloodline. Her Dragon Pulse yearling colt is for sale at Goffs in September.

 

FAI FAI (c2), (GB) by Acclamation ex Sabratah (Oasis Dream)

Prix des Ammonites - Prix de Verdon (Unraced 2-year-old colts & geldings, 1,300m/6.5f), August 17, Deauville

• Owner: Abu Khadra Stables SC
• Trainer: André Fabre
• Breeder: G.B. Partnership
• Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

A new maiden winner for trainer André Fabre in Deauville. After Shaikha's Prix de Lisieux, meet Fai Fai (Acclamation)! Favourite Fai Fai long waited at the rear and his rider made his move about 500 yards out, found momentum about a furlong later. Fai Fai, a well-mannered colt, was extended to win easily by almost a length, beating Récompense (Profitable). Cour du Roi (Kodiac) was third at one length and a half.

Fai Fai is the first runner and winner in France of Abu Khadra Stables SC, managed by Charlie Gordon-Watson, who signed the purchase of the colt last year at Arqana. Consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux, Fai Fai made € 160,000. His Frankel brother Syrtis had made € 600,000 in 2017, and was also trained by André Fabre, but for Godolphin. Three times Group-placed in France, Syrtis had finally won his first race in a Class 1 contest. The dam Subratah (Oasis Dream) was a fast racing filly and won two Listed races in France. At stud, she was fast successful as Muttrah Fort (Dubawi), her first foal, won first time out at 3.

 

OSMOSE (f2), FRA by Zoffany ex Meseika (Medaglia d’Oro)

Prix Le Cyrano - Prix de la Potinière (Unraced 2-year-old fillies, 1,300m), August 17, Deauville

• Owner: Mohammed Bin Khalifa al Thani
• Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
• Breeder: Al Shahania Stud
• Rider: Cristian Demuro

Thirteenth 2-year-old to win for Jean-Claude Rouget this season, Osmose (Zoffany) didn't have to show her whole potential to make an impression. Unlike Fai Fai (Acclamation), who came back from the rear, Osmose travelled behind the leader Zanotchka (Zarak). Once out of her wake, the Al Shahania Stud-bred filly quickly made a difference. Enfant Rouge (Bated Breath) stayed on for 2nd-place, beating Beauty Queen (Territories) at 3 lengths.

Osmose was bred at Haras Al Shahania Stud, formerly Haras des Cruchettes, her dam Meseika (Medaglia d’Oro) was bought at Keeneland in September 2014, for $320,000. She never ran. Qalansia (Giant’s Causeway), her first foal, was born in 2018, followed by Osmose. Her last yearling, a Showcasing filly, was sold on the day before Osmose's win at Arqana by US trainer Kenny McPeek at €80,000.

 

RACLETTE (f2), GB by Frankel ex Emollient (Empire Maker)

Prix Hipodromo de Chile - Prix des Marettes (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,500m/7.5F), August 8, 2021, Deauville

• Owner: Succession Khalid Abdullah
• Trainer: André Fabre
• Breeder: Juddmonte Farms
• Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Also entered in the Prix du Calvados (Gr3), on August 21st, Raclette (Frankel) came from the rear to easily defeat Subahiyah (Le Havre), who had had the best trip behind the leader Woozhyna (Wootton Bassett). Once again, after the "Crévecœur", but in reverse order, the owners Al Shaqab Racing and Khalid Abdullah fill the exacta.

A small length separates the first two fillies home, and another the 3rd-placed Queen Trezy (Almanzor), who finished well, beating Situveux (Siyouni), both having travelled close to the pace.

In this 15-strong field, there were unlucky stories and it will be interesting to assess the field later in the season.

Raclette was homebred at Juddmonte, like her older unraced sister Calming Effect (War Front), sold for £400,000 at Tattersalls in 2020, aged 4. Their dam Emollient (Empire Maker) raced in the USA and won 4 times at Grade 1 level. After giving Peace Charter (War Front) and Calming Effect, she foals three consecutive Frankel fillies …

Khalid Abdullah bought a share of this great bloodline, hailing from the great Niarchos broodmare Coup de Génie, by purchasing, for $550,000, Emollient's dam, the maiden Soothing Touch (Touch Gold), sister to the US Group-placed Courtier (Pioneerofthenile) and Hofburg (Tapit).

 

WELWAL (c2), (GB) by Shalaa ex Cheriearch (Arch)

Prix Hipodromo de Gàvea - Prix de Crêvecœur (Unraced 2-year-old colts & geldings, 1,500m/7.5F), August 8, 2021, Deauville

• Owner: Al Shaqab Racing

• Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

• Breeders: Oceanic Bloodstock, Ariane Gravereaux & OTI Management Pty Ltd.

• Rider: Cristian Demuro

   

Long-held back, Welwal (Shalaa) bid his time to reach momentum but looked well above the field when he did and he won easily by almost a length over another nice prospect, Blue Boat (Frankel). The favourite and 3rd-placed Dreamflight (Frankel) just pipped the front-running Bardolino (Wootton Bassett) for the podium. The latter was pushed early to take the lead and he was brave enough for his debut.

Welwal was paid €80,000 by Mandore International at Arqana's yearlings sale. His Roaring Lion brother is in the August Deauville. Both are out of Cheriearch (Arch), a winner of three races at 3 including her final one, a Listed race in June, after finishing unplaced in the French Guineas. Unsold at Tattersalls at 4, she finally found a buyer one year later at Deauville, in foal to Holy Roman Emperor. Oceanic Bloodstock then paid €260,000 to secure her. She gave Epistrophy (Charm Spirit), a Prix de la Grotte (Gr3) 3rd in 2019, for her last start.

 

LACUNA (F2), (GB) by Shalaa ex Eleona (Areion)

Prix Normandy Equestrian Week - Prix de Falaise (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,400m/7F), August 7, 2021, Deauville

• Owner: Eckhard Sauren

• Trainer: Henk Grewe

• Breeder: Mette Campbell Andenaes

• Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Third for her debut in May in Compiègne over 7 furlongs, then second on yielding ground at Deauville over 7.5F, Lacuna (Shalaa) held off all the challenges this time, even though she led a tight pack all the way. Challenged on every front two-out, Christophe Soumillon nevertheless held on and finally kept half a length over Nadette (Oustrip), who looked like a potential winner only seconds before after following the leaders along the rail. Always well placed behind the winner, Toocoolforschool (Al Wukair) finished a good third at about a length.

Lacuna was bought for € 50,000 by Henk Grewe at the Arqana yearlings' Sale. Her Cracksman brother is in the Deauville next August sale. They all are brothers and sisters to Monette (Cockney Rebel), winner of the Critérium du Béquet (L)

 

TRUE TESTAMENT (c2), IRE by Siyouni ex To Eternity (Galileo)

Prix de Tour-en-Bessin - Sauternes’ Cup (Maiden 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,400m/7F), August 7, 2021, Deauville

• Owner: Lady Bamford

• Trainer: André Fabre

• Breeder: Lady Bamford

• Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Fifth for his debut at Saint-Cloud, 5 1/2 lengths behind Zelda over 6 furlongs, True Testament (Siyouni) didn't need much time to make that experience a profitable one. He won at second asking, over a slightly longer trip, thanks to a long, strong acceleration that kept him out of reach of anyone. The Lady Bamford homebred was then able to take over the front-runner International (More Than Ready) and then stayed on ahead of Super Khali (Shalaa), who had had a good trip and finished at 2 lengths. International kept 3rd place in front of Tiger Bash (Havana Gold), who couldn't keep up in the end.

True Testament is out of a Lady Bamford homebred mare, To Eternity (Galileo), a Listed winner in Britain, also the dam of a Lope de Vega yearling colt. True Testament's second dam is the US-bred All’s Forgotten (Darshaan), a one time winner in 11 races in Ireland, but Lady Bamford paid £140,000 to secure her in foal to Refuse to Bend in England, in December 2007.

A sister to To Eternity, the winner Immortal Beloved (Gleneagles), was sold £20,000 last November at Tattersalls.

 

SHAIKHA (F2), FRA by Ribchester ex Kerila (Makfi)

Prix Equidia - Prix de Lisieux (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,200m/6F), August 5, 2021, Deauville

• Owner: Al Shaqab Racing

• Trainer: André Fabre

• Breeders: Écurie Haras du Cadran & Écurie Mélanie

• Rider: Hugo Besnier

In this famous beginners' race, Shaikha (Ribchester) won all the way and went away without breaking a sweat while her opponents were already pushed to keep up with her. She beat by 3 lengths her André Fabre stablemate Assyrian Queen (Invincible Spirit), herself beating Malavath (Mehmas) by three lengths ...

Shaikha was bought for € 240,000 at Deauville by Al Shaqab Racing. Consigned by Haras du Cadran, she's out of the Aga Khan-bred Kerila (Makfi), herself sold in foal to Siyouni at Deauville in December 2017 for €180,000 to Carlos Lerner. Kerila hence gave a Siyouni colt whom Pierre Talvard's Haras du Cadran sold for €220,000. He later won the Critérium de Lyon (L), and has just been sold again for €70,000 at Arqana's Summer Sale …

 

TOPGEAR (c2), FRA by Wootton Bassett ex Miss Lech (Giant’s Causeway)

Prix PMU - Prix de Tancarville (Unraced 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,200m/6F), August 5, 2021, Deauville

• Owner: Hisaaki Saito

• Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

• Breeder: SNIG Élevage

• Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

Despite his 8 draw, Topgear (Wootton Bassett) came by the leader Lifetime (Territories), who was travelling against the stands' rail. At about two furlongs out, attacks abounded but Topgear nevertheless held on and if he seemed to have lost the lead at one stage, he came back alright and after taking over from Lifetime, he stayed out of reach of the favourite Rebel Path (iffraaj), who finished well about one length down. The 4th-placed Zack Halo (Amaron) finished well, even though on paper, the two first home were clocked faster in the last furlong. However, Awl Rite Bloom (Gutaifan), who came fast in the middle of the course two furlongs out, took only 10’’48 to run the second last fraction, the best of the race!

Topgear was sold for €200,000 at Arqana last September. More recently, in July, his elder Intello brother was sold for  € 13,000.