14 July 2024
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, 14 July 2024, Chantilly Racecourse (Oise). – With no French contenders, the 2024 edition of the €130,000 Prix Robert Papin (Gr2), a 2-year-old race over 6f, could just as well have taken place at York. This would have been more convenient for the North Yorkshire-trained winner Arabie (The Dandy Man), a colt who confirmed his Prix du Bois Longines (Gr3) success from 16 June on the same course and distance. Held mid-pack behind the leaders Celandine (Kingman) along the stands' rail and Convo (Kodiac) in the centre, Arabie progressed between these two and took control, holding off the fast-finishing Shadow Army (Showcasing) by nearly a length. Celandine held on for a well-deserved third.
Arabie was bought for £92,000 at the Tattersalls yearling sales by Federico Barberini. He is the 13th foal out of Mamma Morton (Elnadim), who also produced Mammas Girl (Havana Grey), winner of the Nell Gwyn Stakes (Gr3) at Newmarket, and Master of War (Compton Place), placed in Gr2 races.
His third dam, Water Lily (Riverman), born in France, won the Prix Yacowlef (L) when it was a Listed race for 2-year-old debutants. She also placed in the Prix des Réservoirs (Gr3) and the Prix Thomas Bryon (Gr3). Bred by Robert McAlpine, Water Lily's progeny later raced under the ownership of Nelson Bunker Hunt and then Shadwell Stud, with her best offspring, Elshamms (Zafonic), placing in Gr3 races at Goodwood over 7f at 2 before finishing 5th in the French Guineas (Gr1).