21 August 2022
Photos : scoopdyga.com
August 21, 2022, Deauville-La Touques Racecourse (Calvados). – Won last year by Grand Glory (Olympic Glory), the €250,000 Darley Prix Jean Romanet (Gr1) returns to England thanks to Aristia (Starspangledbanner), who got the better of Rosscarbery (Sea The Stars).
The fillies from across the Channel applied their favourite tactics as they once again showed the way in this French replica of Glorious Goodwood’s Nassau Stakes. In the straight, both gave their best and fought hard for the trophy but the Richard Hannon-trained Aristia, along the rail, was the most resolute and scored by a neck while the Aga Khan’s Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor) was third at a good length. It was a first Group 1 win for the 4-year-old mare, who had finished second to the French oaks winner Nashwa in the Nassau Stakes (Gr1) at the end of July.
Australian champion Very Elleegant (Zed), who was making her European debut in this race, finished last without ever being dangerous.
Bred in Ireland by Rathasker Stud, Aristia is by Starspangledbanner (Choose), an Australian champion who won the July Cup (Gr1) and the Golden Jubilee Stakes (Gr1). She was purchased as a yearling for £85,000 at the Tattersalls October sales in 2019 by Wille Edmeades Bloodstock. Her dam Aloisi (Kalanisi) first raced for her breeder George Strawbridge but was sold in training for €17,000 and was unplaced twice after that. Her second dam is none other than Bellarida (FRA), also dam of Bayourida and In Clover, who gave Group 1 performers With You, We Are and Call the Wind...
Aloisi changed hands several times, the latest of which was at the Arqana breeding sales, when sold for €14,000 to Emerald Bloodstock.
Aristia is his seventh and by far her best foal. In 2021, her Aclaim yearling was sold for £52,000. This year, her yearling colt by Bungle Inthejungle will be sold at Goffs' Orby sales in September.