22 August 2021
Photo scoodyga.com
Sunday 22 August 2021, Deauville-La Touques Racecourse (Calvados). - A good winner of the Grand Prix de Vichy (Gr3) previously after three 2nd places in a row, Grand Glory (Olympic Glory) defeated the defending champion Audarya (Wootton Bassett) in the Darley Prix Jean Romanet (Gr1). Thundering Nights (Night of Thunder) finished third, more than a length behind the top two, separated by only a short head.
The race was led by favourite Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor), who was unable to sustain her effort in the final stages and was then overtaken by Audarya and Thundering Nights. Grand Glory, outside the field in the final turn, then came up against Audarya, who conceded the victory in the very last stride.
Grand Glory cost € 18,000 at Arqana and her Toronado brother was unsold at € 16,000 at the October 2018 sales in Deauville, but he won twice already as Bois d'Argent. Their dam Madonna Lily (Daylami) did not win but she is a sister to Minakshi (Footstepsinthesand), a Group 2 winner in Canada. Their brother Marble Garden (Royal Academy) for his part won at the Listed level over jumps at Auteuil.
What connections said
Gianluca Bietolini (the trainer of Grand Glory, 1st)
"Coming here and win a Group 1 is a great dream come true! The mare really deserves it. Last year she was unlucky but, this year, things are going better! Cristian Demuro has ridden her to perfection. I knew that Grand Glory was very well within herself, and was sure that she would run well today. This was her day! She was already a prior dual Group 3 winner and Group 1 place-getter going into the race, and she owed us nothing. The next logical step is the Prix de l'Opéra (a Group 1 race run on the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe card). After this, she will be retired to the paddocks. I had already enjoyed six Group 1s successes in Italy, but this is my first French one. I can't believe it! She has won on the all-weather, on heavy ground, on good ground, and on the very soft ground... She can do it all – as the good horses invariably can. She just needs plenty of pace so as to be able to harness her turn of foot. She is extraordinary!"
Cristian Demuro (the jockey of Grand Glory, 1st)
"I dedicate this victory to my father. I'm very happy because I felt that the mare was in good order. I don't know why, but I knew she would win today. I have a very good affinity with her. That worked in our favour because once Audarya had taken the lead, she idled a bit in front and I was able to rein her in. Grand Glory was in top form. At Vichy, she managed to get by all comers everyone and, for me, she rediscovered the level which she reached in the Prix de Diane Longines."
James Fanshawe (the trainer of Audarya, 2nd)
"The last 100 metres seemed to take an eternity... But I'm very happy to see her bounce back after her Goodwood run. She's run a blinder! We will take each race as it comes but it is quite possible, if all goes to plan, that we will tackle the Prix de l'Opera at ParisLongchamp, before heading to the US to defend her title in the Breeders' Cup."