31 August 2023
Photo scoopdyga.com
Thursday, 31st August 2023, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris) – Swiftly taking the lead right out of the starting stalls, partly thanks to her draw 2, the Irish filly Tiger Belle (Cotai Glory) held her ground resolutely to stave off another outsider, the British contender Dawn Charger (Soldier's Call), who had failed over two months before over 6 furlongs at Ascot. At the end of the €80,000 Prix d'Arenberg (Gr3)'s straight 5-furlong trip, the representative of Shamrock Thoroughbreds kept a neck over her best rival. The podium was completed, at another neck, by the second favourite of this 2-year-old race, Graceful Thunder (Havana Grey), who travelled behind the leaders.
The favourite, Zorken (Goken), faded early on, just two weeks after securing second place in the Arqana Series Critérium d'Été at Deauville.
Tiger Belle completed the kilometre in 55.61 seconds, the fastest time in the race since it has been run on this course and distance, taht is 2015. She is also the fifth consecutive filly to win.
Victorious in May on her debut at Cork, and second two weeks later, also over a distance of 5 furlongs, at Tipperary, Tiger Belle was only fourth a good month later on the same course and distance, at Listed level. However, she redeemed herself two weeks later in the same category at Naas. She confirms her form here.
Originally sold for €18,000 to Con Marnane as a yearling and then for £70,000 at the Goffs UK breeze-up sales, the filly was bought back for €100,000 in June at the Goffs London sales, held prior to Royal Ascot.
Tiger Belle's sister by Inns of Court will be up for sale in October at Tattersalls Ireland.