28 May 2023
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday 28th May 2023, Saint-Cloud Racecourse (Hauts-de-Seine). - Last year's winner of the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1), Above the Curve (American Pharoah), also finished third in the Prix de l'Opéra (Gr1) in October before failing in the Breeders' Cup. Well beaten for her return at the Curragh four weeks before this new trial, she took the lead early on and was never really challenged, winning by two lengths this Prix Corrida (Gr2). Closing in second with a strong finish, Mqse de Sevigné (Siyouni) took her revenge on the German mare, India (Adleeflug), third here after beating her in the Prix Allez France (Gr3) last month. The Gestüt Ittlingen homebred finishes one length behind in third, this time, after trailing the eventual winner, while the odds-on favourite and last Prix de Diane winner Nashwa (Frankel) was never in contention for her seasonal return.
Trained by Joseph O'Brien, Above the Curve was bred by Orpendale for Coolmore. The filly was nonetheless registered for the Keeneland sales but was withdrawn there. Her dam is the unraced Fabulous (Galileo), a sister to the great Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat) and You’resothrilling (Storm Cat), the dam of the classic winner Gleneagles (Galieo)...
The full sister to Above the Curve, now a 5-year-old Gr3 placed mare, was bought last November in the USA by Wertheimer & Frère for 1.5 million euros, in-foal to Justify.