8 June 2024
Photo scoopdyga.com
Saturday 8 June 2024, Auteuil Racecourse (Paris). – Only one of the recent Prix Alain du Breil 4yo Hurdle (Gr1) runners was at the start of this edition of the €135,000 Questarabad 4yo Hurdle Race (Gr3). The rank outsider Ella Duchic (Tunis) led the field up until the last hurdle.
This race presented a significant opportunity for several pretenders seeking a stepping stone to the highest level. The race was initially led by Ella Duchic. A few lengths behind, the favourite Kandy Park (Waldpark), following two good performances over fences, led the main group alongside Kilt Écossais (Cokoriko) and Hesperia (Clovis du Berlais). Diyashal (Shalaa) made a mistake down the back straight and lost touch, but Kirikou des Mers (Nom de D’Là) moved forward as they were entering the final turn.
In the home straight, Kandy Park overtook Ella Duchic and then resisted the strong finish of Hesperia, who secured second place at nearly two lengths. Kilt Écossais stayed on for third, almost four lengths behind, with Celty du Kalon (Muhtathir) finishing well, followed by Kaja (The Grey Gatsby).
The AQPS Kandy Park was bred by Guy Cherel and races for the Papot family in partnership with trainer Daniel Mele. Last year, he won two flat races at Moulins and Le Lion d’Angers, followed by victory in the Prix Isopani 3yo Hurdle, an AQPS hurdle race for newcomers at Auteuil, and then in the Prix Robert de Lipowski 3yo Hurdle, ahead of Kilt Écossais. He then finished second in the Prix Chalet 3yo Hurdle (L). He began this season with a victorious debut over fences at Compiègne before finishing fourth in a Listed race, also over fences.
Kandy Park's dam, Brookdale (Califet), won over the flat and placed over hurdles at Pau. Her trainer, Guy Cherel, had entered her in coveted AQPS flat races such as the Prix de l’Avenir, the Prix des Guilledines, and the Isopani 3yo Hurdle. At stud, she did not produce much before Kandy Park, followed by a three-year-old filly by No Risk At All and a yearling filly by Wonderful Moon, both also bred by Guy Cherel.
The second dam, Rochdale (Video Rock), finished fifth in the Prix Renaud du Vivier 4yo Hurdle (Gr1) after winning two hurdle races at Auteuil. She also won over fences at Pau and was placed in both disciplines at the listed level. Rochdale also produced Damalisque (Linda’s Lad) and Eklat de Rire (Saddex), both Group-level winners over obstacles in Ireland.