The August 2024 Maiden Winners

SHANDANA (f2), IRE by Sea the Moon ex Shanndara (Mizzen Mast)

Prix de la Reboursière (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1m), August 10, 2024, Deauville

Owner: S. A. Aga Khan

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: S. A. Aga Khan

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Entered in the Prix d’Aumale (Gr3) and favourite in a race also featuring well-bred fillies, Shandana (Sea the Moon) allowed the supplemented Ruchbah (City Light) to take the lead, travelling behind her along the rail with Garamante (Omaha Beach) on her side. The leader attempted an early move, but after briefly waiting, Shandana took control, winning by nearly a length. Blue Lilas (Blue Point) finished well to take third, a length back, with Mistress (Lope de Vega) two lengths behind.

Shandana is the first foal out of Shanndara (Mizzen Mast), a 15f-winner in September of her 3-year-old season. Shanndara is a daughter of Shankardeh (Azamour), who won the Chaudenay (Gr2), also a two-miler. Shanndara was sold in foal to Gleneagles at Goffs last November for €32,000 to Oakley Stud.

NESTHORN (c2), GB by Expert Eye ex Swiss Range (Zamindar)

Prix de Montaigu (Unraced 2-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m), August 10, 2024, Deauville

Owner: Juddmonte Farms

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ireland

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Before the race, more attention was given to the supplemented Just (Justify), who was unsold at €220,000 at the Arqana breeze-ups, and Opus One (Sea the Stars), a £150,000 yearling purchase, even after Just unseated his rider going down the post. However, Nesthorn (Expert Eye) quickly took over from the fastest at the start, Tommy Boy (Intello), and held off a strong challenge from Opus One in the final stages. The Juddmonte Farms homebred ultimately won by nearly a length, extending his lead at the finish, while Al Aali (City Light) secured third place, five lengths behind.

Nesthorn is the third foal out of Swiss Range (Zamindar), who won the Pretty Polly Stakes (Gr3) before finishing 8th in the Prix de Diane (Gr1) and 4th in the Nassau Stakes (Gr1). She later had two unsuccessful runs in North America. Swiss Range is a daughter of Spanish Sun (El Prado), who won the Ribblesdale Stakes (Gr2) and is a full sister to the sire Spanish Moon. The fourth dam is the renowned classic producer Bourbon Girl (Ile de Bourbon).

Nesthorn’s full sister, Bernese, was purchased as a maiden last year in England by Charlie Gordon-Watson for just £5,000. Stuart Williams bought their elder Exceed and Excel all-weather winning sister at the same venue for £12,000.

LIBYAN PHAROAH (c2), FRA by American Pharoah ex Kenlova (Kendargent)

Prix de Tour-en-Bessin (Maiden 2-year-old Colts & Gedlings, 1,400m/7f), August 6, 2024, Deauville

Owner: Mohamed Eldubeda

Trainer: Yann Barberot

Breeder: Haras Saint-James

Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Partnered for the first time with Christophe Soumillon after finishing 10th on debut at Craon in June over 6.5 furlongs and then securing two second places at Chantilly over 7 furlongs and Saint-Malo over 1 mile, Libyan Pharoah (American Pharoah) benefited from an inspired ride to lead from start to finish, winning by a length over Golden Brown (Persian King). Golden Brown finished well yet again, indicating promise for future races. Highly regarded, the third-placed Cacofonix (Lope de Vega) did not have an ideal run, while the favourite Green Cape (Lope de Vega), coming from behind, finished strongly but only managed fourth place.

Libyan Pharoah is the first foal out of Kenlova (Kendargent), a maiden winner and placed in the Prix du Bois (Gr3). Kenlova is out of Ice Love (Three Valleys), who won the Prix Ronde de Nuit (L) on Chantilly's all-weather track at three. She has also produced another placed runner in the Prix du Bois (Gr3) and a Prix Eclipse (Gr3) placer, both juveniles' contests. Libyan Pharoah was purchased for €76,000 as a yearling at the Arqana October Sale.

REINE DE MEDICIS (f2), (IRE) by Romanised ex Bianca de Medici (Medicean)

Prix de Falaise (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,400m/7f), August 6, 2024, Deauville

Owner: Édouard de Rothschild

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: SCEA du Grand Chêne

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

Favoured after finishing second to the classic hopeful Zarigana on debut at Chantilly 23 days prior, Reine de Medicis (Romanised) confirmed her promise with a comfortable victory at Deauville. Haviung travelled behind the leaders along the rail, she stayed close to the inside entering the home straight and overcame Victory Folie (City Light) and Spring Lily (Intello), who had taken the lead early on, before confidently fending off the strong late challenge from Khadidja (Study of Man) coming from the back.

In the end, Édouard de Rothschild's filly left Kirsten Rausing's runner-up from England a length behind, with Spring Lily another two lengths back.

Reine de Medicis, out of the English winner Bianca de Medici (Medicean), was bought as a foal for €38,000 by Broadhurst and Equos at Arqana and then sold for €170,000 the following August to Meautry. In December last year at Deauville, her sister by Waldgeist fetched €115,000, purchased by Meridian.

It's worth noting that Reine de Medicis' dam's brother, Alcantor (New Bay), had just won the Prix Thomas Bryon (Gr3) for Rothschild before finishing second in the Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1). This family also includes the champion Treve (Motivator).