The December 2023 maiden winners

 

UNIGENA (f2), FRA by Almanzor ex Kazorina (Footstepinthesand)

Prix d’Epreville (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), December 29, 2023, Deauville

Owner: Écurie Hugo et Pierre Pilarski

Trainer: Romain Le Dren Doleuze

Breeder: Gaetan Taupin

Rider: Clément Lecœuvre

Finishing fifth in her debut on this course and distance on December 3, Unigena (Almanzor) took charge after a good start, then accelerated early in the final straight to secure victory out of reach of Pebblesshinybight (Footstepinthesand) and Rue Custine (Phoenix of Spain), who both finished strongly within less than a length of each other. Bimbo (The Grey Gatsby) led the remainder, finishing nearly two lengths behind after following the winner along the rail.

Unigena was purchased for €12,000 at the Deauville yearling sales by her trainer, Romain Le Dren Doleuze. She descends from a line that includes champions High Chaparral, Black Bear Island, and Fancy Blue, with her fourth dam being Kozana (Kris). Her dam, Kazorina (Footstepinthesand), a two-race winner at Savenay, was bred by the Aga Khan and sold out of training for €10,000 to Gaëtan Taupin, with Unigena being her only offspring to date.

 

CHARTWELL (c2), FRA by Churchill ex Sidewalk (New Approach)

Prix de Martainville (Maiden 2-year-old Colts and Geldings, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), December 29, 2023, Deauville

Owners: Écurie JML Racing, C&Y Lerner

Trainer: C&Y Lerner

Breeders: Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois, Écurie Thomas Levesque

Rider: Ronan Thomas

After a good start, Chartwell (Churchill)  travelled behind the leaders French Navy Flag (U S Navy Flag) and Drumard (Recoletos), whom she overtook about one out befiore battling off the debutant More Dream (Almanzor), who fought tenaciously but finished a head behind the winner. Third-placed Mia Grande (Inns of Court) concluded five lengths behind, just ahead of Drumard.

Third on his debut 26 days earlier on the same track, Chartwell is the first foal out of the Godolphin-bred Sidewalk (New Approach), bought for €60,000 after two fourth-place finishes under the Dubai colors, then again for €30,000 in February last year, still at Arqana, by Agence Equus, in foal to Kendargent. This is the the Wildenstein family of Lupe II, like most of the "Louves" and "Loups" of the light blue cap and blue toque.

A Persian King colt was sold for €54,000 to Jeremy Brummitt last summer at Deauville. The Kendargent offspring is not registered in France.

 

ITAEWON (c3), FRA by Taareef ex Rien que pour Toi (Orpen)

Prix de la Piscine Olympique (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), December 28, 2023, Deauville

Owners: Jérémy Houta, Benjamin Houta, Stéphanie Castanheira

Trainer: Andreas Schütz

Breeder: Stéphanie Castanheira

Rider: Clément Lecœuvre

Finishing second by a short head at Dieppe on his debut in July 2022 at two, Itaewon (Taareef) had not reappeared since, marking 538 days before this second attempt. Well-placed behind the leader Sixtus (Al Wukair), Itaewon slid along the rail entering the straight to soon take the lead and win quite comfortably by a length and a half over Findon Rose (Sioux Nation) and Calypso (Tamayuz), both spotted close to the pace. Coming from further back, Beautiful Sky (Siyouni) finished well in the middle of the track.

Itaewon is the second of four foals out of Rien Que Pour Toi (Orpen), a mare bought as a yearling in Deauville by Tony Castanheira for €18,000 in 2014. A good racehorse, she won twice, over 6f at Fontainebleau at three and then in the autumn over the same distance at Chantilly, but also took third place in a Listed race over 7f at Maisons-Laffitte. Descending from the sprinter Parioli (Bold Bidder), she has already produced a winner of two handicaps, including a recent one at a rating of 79lbs, Centenario (Dream Ahead). After Itaewon, Rien Que Pour Toi has given an Ultra colt and another by De Treville.

 

LINTERPRÈTE (g3), FRA by Elm Park ex Mapréférence Amoi (Falco)

Prix du Sentier du Littoral (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), December 28, 2023, Deauville

Owner: Jérôme Bourgeais

Trainer: Jérôme Bourgeais

Breeders: Jérôme Bourgeais, Davy Bonilla

Rider: Léo Roussel

One of nine beginners in this maiden contested by sixteen runners, Linterprète (Elm Park) stormed out of the gate 16, taking the lead in front of the well-fancied Cocktail Prince (Exceed and Excel) along the rail and Black Lullaby (Siyouni) alongside. In the final phase, the Jérôme Bourgeais homebred firmly repelled the attack of Black Lullaby, even managing a final surge in the last furlong, with a comfortable length lead. Finishing well, debutant Big Raj (Iffraaj) took third place by a neck, a good length ahead of Cocktail Prince.

Linterprète is the third foal out of the mare Mapréférence Amoi (Falco), who started her career under the colors of Maurice Lagasse, her breeder. She was soon claimed at Nort-sur-Erdre, still a maiden, by Jérôme Bourgeais. She eventually won a race, a handicap at Pornichet, at a rating of 47lbs. At stud, she has given two winning fillies and then Linterprète, followed by another female by Elm Park, born in 2022.

 

ROSHDIYA (f3), FRA by Fastnet Rock ex Roshanara (Sea the Stars)

Prix de l’Hermeraie (Maiden 3-year-olds, 2,500m/12.5f AWT), December 26, 2023, Deauville

Owner: H.H. Aga Khan

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Haras de S.A. Aga Khan

Rider: Marie Velon

Roshdiya (Fastnet Rock), who finished twelfth on her debut in July at Clairefontaine after rearing at the start, made a triumphant return nearly six months later with a skilful ride by Marie Velon, who travelled her behind the leaders in this lengthy maiden on the all-weather track.

The Aga Khan’s filly finally took the lead at the very end, benefiting from her rider's three-pound advantage, narrowly defeating Partnun (The Grey Gatsby), who had been travelling on the front line and duelling with Drimys (Zelzal), who had made his move going off the final turn.

Only a short neck separated the first two finishers, with Drimys finishing a length behind, just ahead of the newcomer Got Hawk (Gleneagles), who finished strongly.

Partnun had started her career with a second place in the same race where Roshdiya finished twelfth in July over 1m1/2. Bellbird, who finished thirteenth in that July race, was also in today's maiden and ended up fifth.

Roshdiya is out of the Listed-placed Roshanara (Sea the Stars), whose dam is a full sister to the accomplished Rajsaman (Linamix). She is also a sister to the talented Rosanara (Sinndar), winner of the Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1) and runner-up in the Prix de Diane (Gr1).

Roshanara has also produced the speedy Rozgar (Exceed and Excel), a 2-year-old by Siyouni who won his maiden in November over 6.5f, and a Blue Point weanling colt.

 

HALFDAY (f2), FRA by Lope de Vega ex Daytime (Frankel)

Prix du Jardin des Cascades (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1M AWT), December 22, 2023, Chantilly

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias

Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Augustin Madamet

Nineteen days after her promising debut where she finished second behind Happy Days (read below), Halfday (Lope de Vega) showcased her evident potential and clinched her first win, also gathering the most support in the betting.

Starting well and placed behind the front-runners Magic Perseverance (Zelzal) and Koslovka (Blue Point), Halfday surged in the final phase to win by one and a half lengths over Iradie (Sommerabend), who was tactically held back as long as possible, and Koslovka. Another Wertheimer&Frère representative, Falbala (Night of Thunder), finished strongly in the middle of the track for fourth place.

Halfday's dam, Daytime (Frankel), raced twice but had to settle for a third-place finish over 1m1/2 at Maisons-Laffitte in May of her three-year-old season. She is out of the champion mare Midday (Oasis Dream), also bred by Juddmonte. Daytime joined Wertheimer breeding following her racing career, producing her first winner at five years old. She has since given birth to a yearling filly by Le Havre, currently with André Fabre, and a Wootton Bassett colt. Midday's most accomplished produce to date is Midterm (Galileo), 2nd in the Prix Niel (Gr2) after winning the Classic Trial at Sandown (Gr3). He subsequently had a respectable career in Australia, where he again won a Gr3.

 

BRIO (g2), FRA by Le Brivido ex Lastuce (Orpen)

Prix de l’Ancien Potager (Maiden 2-year-old Colts and Geldings, 1,600m/1M AWT), December 22, 2023, Chantilly

Owners: Anoj Don, Daniel Macauliffe, Black Type Ltd

Trainer: Gavin Hernon

Breeder: Jocelyn Targett

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

After narrowly missing victory in his debut in October at Saint-Cloud, Brio (Le Brivido) had disappointed by finishing 5th on his first all-weather start, racing closer to the lead. Starting well again this time, he was overtaken by co-favorite Wapi (Siyouni) and Ferrari Fever (Panis), who battled it out in the home straight. Brio's response was delayed, but once he reached his momentum, he easily overtook Ferrari Fever, who finished second by ¾ of a length, with second favourite Jess Livermore (Wootton Bassett), who had merely followed the pace, ending up nearly two lengths behind in third. Wapi faded to finish fourth, while Hagler (Shalaa), slightly outpaced early on, finished strongly in the middle of the track for fifth.

Brio is the fourth foal out of Lastuce (Orpen), purchased for €4,000 at Osarus by Jean-Claude Rouget. A winner of seven races and nearly €185,000 in earnings and premiums in France, Lastuce was later sold for €19,000, placed in a Listed race in the UK, and subsequently sold again for £16,000 to Black Type Ltd, co-owner of Brio, who was sold for €77,000 to Stroud Coleman.

More recently, Didot (New Approach), Brio's elder maiden sister, was sold for €3,000 to First Consulting, in foal to Dabirsim, at the Deauville breeding sales. A Le Brivido filly was also sold as a yearling for €18,000 to Adrien Fouassier, and an Ardad colt was born this year.

 

ALI (g2), FRA by Kingman and Sotka (Dutch Art)

Prix du Merlerault (Unraced 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), 20 December 2023, Deauville

Owner: Zalim Bifov

Trainer: P&J Brandt

Breeder: Zalim Bifov

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

Ali (Kingman), who had previously finished third and fifth last summer at Deauville after leading both races, was gelded at the end of August. This was his comeback after 134 days out, still highly favoured among nine runners. This time, Ali was held back until the home stretch. The favourite Finders Keepers (Soldier’s Call) had made a move 2 out and tried to take his leave, but Wootton Melody (Wootton Bassett) took over the lead and sustained his effort, making Ali's task even harder. Yet, Ali managed to overtake and win by a neck, while Finders Keepers held on to a respectable third place.

Ali is the eighth foal out of the good Sotka (Dutch Art), a winner at two at Maisons-Laffitte, then a runner-up in a Listed race before failing in her sole outing at three. At stud, she has since given the speedy Fas (Fastnet Rock), winner of the Prix Sigy (Gr3), and Silva (Kodiac), winner of the Prix Bertrand de Tarragon (Gr3) over 9f for the same connections as Ali. Sotka, a sister to the champion sprinter Sole Power (Kyllachy), gave birth to a Wootton Bassett colt in 2023.

 

TEAM BUILDING (f2), GB by Starspangledbanner and Flarepath (Exceed and Excel)

Prix de la Placière (Unraced 2-year-old fillies, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), 20 December 2023, Deauville

Owner: Haras des Pyrénées

Trainer: Edouard Monfort

Breeder: Haras des Pyrénées

Rider: Léo Roussel

Team Building (Starspangledbanner), after a disappointing thirteenth place in her debut two weeks earlier over 7.5f following a botched start in a messy race, was finally able to use her extended stride here. The Haras des Pyrénées’ homebred impressively claimed victory by two and a half lengths over the favourite Zoé (Ten Sovereigns), who had been leading. Zoé managed to keep a neck ahead of the strong finisher Spezial (Inns of Court) and Kiss Love (Kendargent). The standout in the race was Roast Chestnut (Night of Thunder), who found herself in trouble but still had the energy to finish strongly between horses.

Team Building was unsold at €47,000 at the Deauville sales in October 2022. Her dam, Flarepath (Exceed and Excel), a product of Queen Elizabeth II's breeding, was sold in December 2019 for £26,000 after winning a race on an all-weather track. Flarepath was sold again a year later, in foal to Team Building, for £30,000 to EAM Bloodstock (Edmond Mahony Parias) for BLM Bloodstock (Bertrand Le Métayer). She has since given birth to a  Wooded colt.

 

RAQEEBB (g3), FRA by Wootton Bassett and Tubéreuse (Cape Cross)

Prix de Roiville (3-year-old Maiden, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), 15 December 2023, Deauville

Owner: Andrew John Duffield

Trainer: Éric Libaud

Breeder: Écurie Skymarc Farm

Rider: Augustin Madamet

Raqeebb (Wootton Bassett), sold as a yearling at the Arqana October sales for €310,000 to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock for Sheikh Ahmed al Maktoum, was gelded in April. After running fourth and second in two all-weather starts, he was sold at Tattersalls to Linda Watson for £50,000.

Racing in France, he narrowly lost to Zvaroshka before taking his chance here. He raced alongside the front-runner Rose Touch (Wootton Bassett), and the two pulled away, entering the home stretch. However, Raqeebb stayed on while his rival faded. Yet, his win was not secured until the end, as Black Lullaby (Siyouni) closed the gap, looking set to overtake Raqeebb. Milad (Dabirsim) joined the chase, but Raqeebb held on to win by a neck, with Milad taking third. Suleyman (Sea the Stars) finished just behind, a good length away, followed by Presomption (Lawman), who had come from afar.

Raqeebb is out of Tubéreuse (Cape Cross), a full sister to Lesstalk in Paris (Cape Cross), winner of the Prix d’Aumale (Gr3) and the Prix de la Grotte (Gr3), and also 2nd in the Coronation Stakes (Gr1). Tubéreuse, who did not race, was nonetheless entered in the Poule d’Essai, the Saint-Alary, and the Prix de Diane. The second dam is Top Toss (Linamix), also a winner of the Prix d’Aumale (Gr3) and dam of Dastarhon (Dansili), 2nd in a Poule d’Essai.

 

NADELIA (f2), FRA by Spanish Moon and Miss Gandelia (Kingsalsa)

Prix de Lexington (Unraced 2-year-old fillies, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), 15 December 2023, Deauville

Owners: Mrs Christian Wingtans, Nicolas Caullery

Trainer: Nicolas Caullery

Breeder: Mrs Christian Wingtans

Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Coming from the rear, Nadelia (Kingman) had the final word, narrowly beating Goa (No Nay Never), who had also made a late outside surge to finish strongly by a neck. At half a length, L’Ardéchoise (El Kabeir) was third in a tightly contested finish.

Nadelia was bred by Mrs Christian Wingtans, who shares ownership with her trainer, Nicolas Caullery. She is out of the unraced Miss Gandelia (Kingsalsa), a full sister to the talented Queensalsa (Kingsalsa), runner-up in the Prix Robert Papin (Gr2), and Queen America (American Post), winner of the Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles (L).

Miss Gandelia has also gave the excellent King Gold (Anodin), winner of this summer's ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr1), for the same connections as the promising Nadelia, his sister.

 

MALTOCK D’ORGÈRES (g2), GB by Kingman and Pretty Please (Dylan Thomas)

Prix du Rond de Chêne (Unraced 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,800m/9f AWT), Saturday, 9 December 2023, Chantilly

Owners: Sacha Tubiana, Béatrice Boudraa, Noël Boudraa, Chauvigny Global Equine, Seror Racing Management

Trainer: Mickaël Seror

Breeder: Emmanuel Leroux

Rider: Augustin Madamet

The winner of this maiden race wasn't a maiden at all. Maltock d'Orgères (Kingman), who stealthily moved along the inside in the mist to sprint clear, had just won a claiming race. At Deauville, over 9.5f, just three weeks prior, on his fourth outing, the colt had won by 2.5 lengths. Offered at €14,000 and winning by seven lengths, he was claimed for €21,555 — an offer vastly exceeding the claim tag and the winner's prize combined (€20,250). It proved a savvy acquisition as the horse pocketed €25,800 this time, winning again by 2.5 lengths.

Gattopoardo (Dariyan), making his debut, finished well to take second ahead of the consistent Sadak (Wootton Bassett), with the early leader Familiar (Holy Roman Emperor) in fourth, while the favourite Anneeff (Lope de Vega) outpaced for much of the race, finished well for fifth for his debut.

Born in Orne at Emmanuel Le Roux's, Maltock d'Orgères is the fourth foal out of La Chichina (Chichicastenango), a winner of three races in the south of France from 28 starts, all south of the Loire. Maltock's elder brother, Eh Mon Copain (Chœur du Nord), was sold unraced at three years old at the Goffs sales in 2021 for 45,000 GBP. Since being purchased by Nigel Twiston-Davies, he has won three hurdle races and has been renamed The Kniphand.

 

CELESTIAL (c2), FRA by City Lights and Faithfilly (Red Clubs)

Prix de Kildare (Unraced 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), Friday, 15 December 2023, Deauville

Owners: Peter Savill, Stéphane Wattel

Trainer: Stéphane Wattel

Breeders: Haras de l’Hotellerie, Haras de Sainte-Gauburge

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

Celestial (City Lights) was hampered going into the straight as a result of a domino effect initiated by Agat (Wootton Bassett) and Enzo Crublet, who took the lead without sufficient space to clear the front-runners. He still managed to find a run in the last furlong and claim victory in a few strides. He finished a length and a half ahead of a brave Dollar Index (Kendargent), who always travelled outside the fifteen-strong field, with the favourite Hawk Power (Gleneagles) well placed throughout. Tortisambert (Sioux Nation) ran well for fourth along the rail, just ahead of Agat.

Celestial was purchased for €42,000 at the Arqana yearling sales. His full sister was sold as a weanling for €10,000 at the Goffs November sales.

His dam, a Listed winner at two, had been sold in December 2022 to Joseph Burke, in foal to this City Light filly, for only €10,000…

 

VEZDARA (f2), GB by Siyouni and Veda (Dansili)

Prix du Rond Alicante (Unraced 2-year-old fillies, 1,800m/9f AWT), Saturday, 9 December 2023, Chantilly

Owners: H.H. Aga Khan

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Haras de S.A. Aga Khan

Rider: Marie Vélon

Well-positioned from the start and soon joining Luminescence (Roman Candle) in front, Vezdara (Siyouni) accelerated straight into the home and was never challenged again. After running in fifth, Banshie (Johnny Barnes) managed to overtake Luminescence for third place in the last strides, while Eskadra Zeo (Phoenix of Spain) and the favourite Intuition (Shalaa) also finished strongly, not far behind.

Vezdara is the fourth foal out of the talented Veda (Dansili), a winner of the Prix de la Cascade and Prix du Louvre, 2nd in a Poule d’Essai (Gr1), and the Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Gr2), who was also entered over distances from 1m2f to 1m4f.

Veda's first foal, Valia (Sea the Stars), became a good stayer as she won the Prix Maurice de Nieuil (Gr2) and finished 3rd in the Prix de Royallieu (Gr1) after also taking 2nd in the Prix Royal-Oak (Gr1). She has just produced her first foal by Medaglia d'Oro. Veda herself has a Frankel filly, turning two in January.

On the same day as Vezdara's success, her 3-year-old sister by Charm Spirit, a maiden, was sold for €27,000 to Nicolas Clément and Thibault de Seyssel. She is now owned by Shamrock Racing and in training with Nicolas Clément, who has just entered her…

 

LIGHTNING BOLT (g3), FRA by Sea the Moon ex Wonderous Light (Montjeu)

Prix du Poteau des Brûlis (Maiden 3-year-olds, 3,200m/2m AWT), December 9, 2023, Chantilly

Owners: Écurie Brillantissime, Chauvigny Global Equine, Gabriel Leenders, Seror Racing Management

Trainer: Mickaël Seror

Breeder: Rashit Shaykhutdinov

Rider: Simon Planque

Sold for €32,000 as a maiden at Arqana in November, Lightning Bolt (Sea the Moon) had never raced beyond 1m1/2. Facing his first foray over two miles, he joined leader Klassic Precieux (Spanish Moon) with a lap to go, quickened at the start of the straight, and kept well clear of the strong finisher Midsummer Dance (Mendelssohn) by three lengths, ahead of the steadfast Massimo (Reliable Man) and Klassic Précieux.

Hailing from an interesting family with the dam of champion Last Tycoon as the fourth dam, and just below, the champion Immortal Verse, an Irish Oaks (Gr1)-placed, and more. Wonderous Light (Montjeu), the dam, won at Divonne and placed at Saint-Cloud under the colours of Rashit Shaykhutdinov, the owner and breeder of Lightning Bolt, the seventh foal of his dam, who has since produced a De Treville colt and a Golden Horde filly. Lightning Bolt may soon make waves over hurdles or in long-distance flat races...

 

TIMETOSHINE (f3), FRA by The Grey Gatsby ex This Time (Zafeen)

Prix de Mirande (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), December 6, 2023, Deauville

Owners: Antoinette Tamagni, Katherina Dobers, Li Wu Fehlmann, Marjan Bigharaz, Rita Muller, Stéphanie Hilti

Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

Breeder: Haras de Saint-Julien, Antoinette Tamagni

Rider: Ioritz Mendizabal

Having raced six times already, finishing second twice and fourth thrice since her debut in March at Saint-Cloud, Timetoshine (The Grey Gatsby) came to the start with over €27,000 in earnings and premiums. Lingering among the last into the home stretch, she surged at the finish to edge out the returning Cocktail Prince (Exceed and Excel), who had taken over from the front-runner Recording Angel (Exceed and Excel) a hundred meters earlier. The impressive home straight run of the fourth-placed Canouann (Siyouni), returning after more than a year out, should be remembered.

Timetoshine is out of This Time (Zafeen), winner of the Prix d'Arenberg (Gr3) and 2nd in the Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte (Gr3) under the colours of Antoinette Tamagni, who also bred Timetoshine, withdrawn from Arqana November sale since this first win. She is the first winner of her siblings, with the first foal, Indignation (Frankel), fetching €300,000 at Arqana but only £16,000 two years later. She's still a maiden 17 races later...

 

ABSTRACT (f2), FRA by Wootton Bassett ex Ambivalence (Invincible Spirit)

Prix du Lieu des Champs (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 7.5f AWT), December 5, 2023, Deauville

Owners: Juddmonte farms

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Petra Bloodstock, Écurie de Meautry

Rider: Marie Velon

It was a convincing victory for a filly still green but undoubtedly gifted. Held up in a congested pack by a dawdling pace, Abstract (Wootton Bassett) emerged one furlong out to overtake the front-runner Almara (Almanzor), who had broken away and conceded only by a head as Abstract briefly checked before resuming her progress. The two fillies left the favourite Golightly (Frankel) two lengths behind, but this Saint-Pair-bred filly had suffered much jostling in the race and should seek revenge as soon as her connections elect to run again.

Although Grand Scoop was bred by Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms but no longer belongs to it, Abstract joined the late Saudi Prince's Estate as a yearling after Arqana's October sales, where she fetched €750,000. She was bred by Chryss O'Reilly and Édouard de Rothschild, who sold her under the Haras de la Louvière banner and purchased her third dam, Altruiste (Diesis), a sister to Urban Sea and King's Best, for 9 million francs in 2000. Abstract's dam has since produced a filly by her great-grand-uncle Sea the Stars, but also the maiden Ascagne (Siyouni), third in the Prix de Lisieux on her debut without follow-up and now retired from competition.

 

GRAND SCOOP (c2), GB by No Nay Never ex Frisella (Frankel)

Prix de l’Hotellerie (Maiden 2-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), December 5, 2023, Deauville

Owner: Haras de Hus

Trainer: Gianluca Bietolini

Breeder: Haras de Hus

Rider: Rosario Mangione

Initially held at the rear of a thirteen-strong field, the newcomer Grand Scoop (No Nay Never) covered a lot of ground mid-track to challenge the valiant Serquigny (Shalaa). He narrowly bested him by a head after the latter travelled wide and tried to make a decisive move entering the straight. Hugged to the rail, the favourite Cambacérès (Wootton Bassett) was blocked at a crucial moment and had to settle for fifth place. Tracking the leaders throughout, Ferrari Fever (Panis) stayed on in third ahead of En Plein Air (Due Diligence), who had closed from the outside on the final turn.

Grand Scoop is owned by his breeder, Xavier Marie's Haras de Hus. His dam Frisella (Frankel) was sold in December 2020 at Tattersalls, where Anne-Sophie Yoh (Yohea) purchased her for £320,000, in foal to No Nay Never, i.e., to Grand Scoop. The colt, however, was unsold at €140,000 at Arqana in the Summer of 2022.  Out of a sister to the great sire Kingman and winner of one single race, Panzanella (Dansili), Frisella was sold again for €650,000, in foal to St Mark’s Basilica in December to Oceanic Bloodstock (Michel Zerolo). Jean-Pierre Dubois bred the resulting filly.

 

HAPPY DAYS (f2), FRA by Toronado ex Lady Wood (Vespone)

Prix du Grand Chesnay (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), December 3, 2023, Deauville

Owners: Écurie TLV, Gérard Augustin-Normand

Trainer: François Monfort

Breeder: Amélie Martin, Armand Choquet, Hubert Honoré, Sylvain Julien Martin

Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

Happy Days (Toronado), after making headway along the rail on the turn, quickened as she entered the straight and decisively outpaced the favourite Halfday (Frankel), who rallied but couldn't bridge the gap, finishing 1.5 lengths behind the winner. Despite matching the winner's closing speed according to the Tracking report, which indicated superior overall and sectional times compared to the Colts in the Prix de la Gagnerie, it wasn't enough.

Happy Days is the fourth foal out of Lady Wood (Vespone), a winning sister to Grand Critérium (Gr1) runner-up Bernebeau (Green Tune), with five wins to her credit, including her best-rated 88lbs, and has already produced two winners. The filly was sold for €10,000 at the Arqana October yearling sales. Her Wukair sister, on the other hand, did not go under the hammer. She was bred in Mayenne solely by Amélie Martin and Sylvain Julien Martin.

 

RIBBLE VIBE (c2), IRE by Sea The Stars ex Mujarah (Marju)

Prix de la Gagnerie (Unraced 2-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), December 3, 2023, Deauville

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Godolphin

Rider: Arthur Mossé

Ribble Vibe (Sea the Stars), a full brother to the accomplished Ribchester (Iffraaj), four-time Group 1 winner over a mile in Britain and France, entered as the favourite for this contest and easily lived up to expectations. Taking the lead shortly after the start from Chartwell (Churchill), the Godolphin charge made an early move in the straight and was unchallenged thereafter. Chartwell stayed on for a respectable third, three lengths adrift, narrowly beaten for second by Wahdan (Siyouni), who snatched the runner-up spot by a short neck after closing in along the rail.

Ribble Vibe is the eighth foal out of the maiden mare Mujarah (Marju), bred by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, who thus produced Ribchester but nothing else of particular note apart from this outstanding performer. The mare herself is a sister to Dante Stakes (Gr2) winner The Foxes (Churchill)...