February 2023 maiden winners

 

PRIVATE LOUNGE (f4), GB by Toronado out of Polarized (Medicean)

Prix de la Route Bourbon (4-year-old maiden, 1,400m on all-weather), Saturday, February 25, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Haras de Saint-Julien

Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

Breeder: Haras de Saint-Julien

Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Held back in last position while the frontrunners exchanged leads several times, Private Lounge (Toronado) followed her path along the rail and dominated the two leaders, the filly Baseema (Make Believe) and the gelding Gurzuf (Zelzal), who finished in that order, nearly two lengths behind, after a relentless struggle that resulted in a nose margin. This was Private Lounge's third outing, a little over a year after her debut, on Chantilly's all-weather but over the mile. Fourth in her comeback race, when ridden a little closer to the pace, Private Lounge is out of the unraced Polarized (Medicean), a Juddmonte-bred mare whose she's the first winning foal. She has a brother by City Light sold for €31,000 as a yearling last September in Deauville to Diego Dias, as well as a sister by The Grey Gatsby born in 2022. Private Lounge's second dam is a sister to the super sire Danehill...

 

MARVANCO (g4), FRA by George Vancouver out of Marcela Howard (Fasliyev)

Prix de la Pierre de Rhuis (4-year-old maiden, 1,800m on all-weather), Saturday February 25, 2023, Chantilly

Owners: GL Racing, Mustapha Bekhti

Trainer: Christopher Head

Breeders: Bernard Fernand Leclère, Raymonde Leclère

Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

Easily beaten on his debut as a 2-year-old in September 2021, sold for €16,000 the following February, second on all-weather in his first start for new trainer Christopher Head last April, Marvanco then placed twice -he's been gelded in between, in May- before finally succeeding here, bringing his overall earnings to over €24,000. Well placed along the rail on a third rank, he was able to move up to challenge the frontrunner Narcissus (Stormy River) at the 2-furlong pole and ultimately take a clear lead. He won by 4 lengths, while Narcissus remained a distant second at three lengths... Marvanco's younger sister, a yearling by Recoletos, was sold for €13,000 at the October 2022 Arqana sales to Miguel Alonso. The dam of Marvanco, Marcela Howard (Fasliyev), a winner at 2 years old in Italy, has now produced six winners, including two fillies at the Listed level. It's an eclectic family that includes a Breeders' Cup Sprint (Gr1) winner and a Prix Noailles (Gr2) victor, among others.

 

MAYLIN (f3), (IRE) by Footstepsinthesand out of Mona Vale (Zoffany)

Prix de la Grande Glacière (3-year-old maiden fillies, 1,900m on all-weather), Saturday, February 25, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Mrs Waltraut Spanner

Trainer: Mathieu Brasme

Breeder: Mrs Waltraut Spanner

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

Quickly positioned near the leader and favourite Black Hills (Sioux Nation), Maylin (Footstepsinthesand) launched her attack in the straight and took the lead at the 2-furlong pole. Caliyza (Le Havre), who had moved up to challenge from the outside, tried to threaten her but failed to catch up, while Higgle (Sea the Stars) also tried to come by after being held up. However, she too could not trouble the winner and finished second by nearly a length. This was only Maylin's second start after her debut in December at Deauville over 1,500 metres, where she finished seventh. However, she had been entered twice in October. Maylin is the second foal out of Mona Vale (Zoffany), an unraced filly who had yet been entered twice. She has also produced a son of No Nay Never born in 2019 and a winner of a handicap at Kempton Park in September last year, sold immediately afterward for £20,000 at Tattersalls. A filly by Australia has just turned 2 years old. Maylin's third dam is Marie de Ken (Kendor), winner of the Prix Fille de l’Air (Gr3), and also the dam of the excellent Ana Marie (Anabaa), winner of the Prix d'Harcourt (Gr2), among others.

 

OLYMPIC GOAL (c3), FRA by Olympic Glory ex Sydarra (Sinndar)

Prix du Four à Tuile (3-year-old colts and geldings, 1,900m AWT), Saturday, 25 February 2023, Chantilly

Owners: Hyperion SARL, Florent Monnier

Trainer: Florent Monnier

Breeder: Hyperion SARL

Rider: Julien Guillochon

Eighth on his debut at Angers in November, then fourth on the all-weather at Deauville at the end of December, Olympic Goal (Olympic Glory) this time took advantage of a good run behind the leaders, notably the favourite Devil in the Sky (Starspangledbanner), who took the lead off the bend after travelling alongside Woodstock City (Churchill) and Kovanof (Dubawi). Olympic Goal quickly took over about 300 yards out, but he seemed to wave once in front, and Devil in the Sky, who took a breather at the decisive moment, recovered well to finish within a length. Woodstock City remained third, five lengths behind. Olympic Goal is the fifth foal out of the winning mare Sydarra (Sinndar), a Wertheimer & Frère-bred who was used as a pacemaker for Galikova and Solemia in Gr1-events after winning two races. Sold to Hyperion SARL in foal to Intello for €35,000 at the Arqana breeding sales, she has a third dam that is a sister to the classic Matiara and Marathon. It is also the family of the good Indonésienne (Muhtathir), winner of the Prix Marcel Boussac and a sister of Sydarra. A filly by Intello was sold for €25,000 at the October 2019 sales in Deauville. A colt by Ruler of the World was born in 2021.

 

KHABESA (f3), FRA by Al Wukair and Khadima (Zamindar)

Prix du Carrefour de Constantine (3-year-old maiden fillies, 1,300m AWT), Friday, February 24, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Sébastien Le Page

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeders: Haras du Hoguenet, Paul Nataf, Hubert Mazeaud

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

As the favourite in the race, in her sixth start, eight months after her debut and for her second attempt of the season, Khabesa (Al Wukair) won by just a neck, beating Partly Cloudy (Sea the Stars) after having a pretty favourable run. Moving up along in the middle of the track, she was not impeded in her progress, unlike several of her opponents, including the second-placed and the unraced Harila (Invincible Spirit), who never managed to pass through after following the leaders along the rail... The representative of Sébastien Le Page, purchased as a yearling for €20,000 by Laurent Benoît in Deauville, is out of an Aga Khan Listed-placed mare Khadima (Zamindar), sold for €30,000 while in foal with Charm Spirit to Paul Nataf. Last December, her Shalaa weanling colt was sold for €6,000 to Miroslav Kantek. Khabesa is her third winner.

 

WILLIAM TELL (g3), FRA by Wootton Bassett and Lucerne (Frankel)

Prix du Parc Laversin (3-year-old maiden colts and geldings, 1,300m AWT), Friday, February 24, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Écurie des Monceaux

Rider: Arthur Mossé

Second on his debut in August of last year in the coveted Prix Arqana – Prix de Tancarville, one of the maiden races whose purse was increased to €50,000 this year, William Tell (Wootton Bassett) then failed to place in a Class 2 race and did not reappear. He was already gelded at that time. Relatively overlooked for his comeback after six months off, the Godolphin representative completely dominated the race after taking the lead. The favourite, Monapia (Harry Angel), who did not benefit from the weight allowance of an apprentice jockey, tried in vain to chase him down at the entrance to the home straight and eventually had to settle for second place, one and a half lengths behind. Always well-placed in the wake of the leaders along the rail, Gray d'Albion (Shalaa) finished third, two more lengths back.

William Tell is the first of three foals out of the unraced mare Lucerne (Frankel), followed by a Lope de Vega filly and a Siyouni filly, both also bred by Écurie des Monceaux. Lucerne's dam, L'Enjoleuse (Montjeu), was purchased for €85,000 at the Arqana yearling sales by her trainer Carlos Lerner for the Écurie des Charmes. She raced for Écurie des Monceaux and won her first two races at the age of two before failing in her first and only attempt at three. However, as a broodmare, she would make a significant impact by producing the champion Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit), her third foal, who won three Gr1 races over the mile, including the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

 

PENSÉE DU JOUR (f3), IRE by Camelot ex Painter’s Pride (Dansili)

Prix du Château de la Reine Blanche (3-year-old unraced fillies, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), February 16, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Ballymore Thoroughbred Ltd

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Dayton Investments Ltd

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

Entered in the three Fillies' classic of the French program, Pensée du Jour (Camelot) started as the odds-on favourite. The Wildenstein family heiress did not hold back, leading wire-to-wire to win by four lengths without being pushed. The quality of this performance is even more impressive as her followers also finished very well, with second-placed Crown Princesse (Zarak) keeping up her effort to the end after racing on the outside. She passed the post three lengths ahead of third-placed Hasapiko (Cloth of Stars), who finished strongly, coming from the back of the pack. Fourth by the rail, Miss Supernova (Dabirsim) also never gave up, finishing just two and a half lengths behind.

Pensée du Jour's dam, Painter's Pride (Dansili), never raced but was entered in the Irish Oaks. She is a sister to the champion Peintre Célèbre (Nureyev). She has produced three foals. The first two, born in 2015 and 2018, did not make an impact. The second foal, a daughter of Lope de Vega, won her first race last autumn in Aurillac. However, she had finished second to the good Thalie, who would later win the Prix de Sandringham (Gr3), for her second outing.

 

STAR OF STARS (c3), (FRA) by Sea the Stars ex Savanne (Rock of Gibraltar)

Prix de la Grange de Comelles (3-year-old unraced colts and geldings, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), February 16, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Gestüt Ammerland

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Gestüt Ammerland

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

Getting off to a good start, like several other competitors, the favourite Star of Stars (Sea the Stars) nevertheless continued his initial effort to take the lead by himself, overtaking Champ Libre (Cracksman) in the turn. He secured a clear advantage in the home stretch and, briefly threatened by Swiss Money's (Anodin) charge about one furlong out, soon pulled away to win by a length. In third place. More than a length behind was Champ Libre, with Almagro (Kodiac) finishing strongly at only a nose.

Star of Stars is the fourth foal out of Savanne (Rock of Gibraltar), winner of the Prix de Royaumont (Gr3) and already the dam of three winners. A 3/4 brother to Star of Stars, by Cloth of Stars, was purchased for €100,000 at the September sales in Baden-Baden. He is declared in training with André Fabre. Star of Stars is entered in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club and the Grand Prix de Paris.

 

JUNGLE PULSE (c4), FRA by Almanzor ex Cool Esprit (Invincible Spirit)

Prix de la Route des Suisses (Maiden 4-year-olds, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), February 11, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Haras Voltaire

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Haras Voltaire

Rider: Tony Piccone

Second in his debut three weeks earlier on the same course after competing in a schooling race, Jungle Pulse (Amanzor) started here as the favourite. Ridden more aggressively this time, he moved up to the leaders in the turn and then engaged in a duel with the front runner E Va Bin (Kingman), eventually defeating him by nearly a length. Radiant Sky (Almanzor) finished well in third place in this late maiden.

Jungle Pulse was bred by Thierry Gillier's Haras Voltaire, who remains his owner. The colt was taken out of the yearling sales, but his full brother was sold for 25,000 € in October to Daniel Cole. His dam Cool Esprit was purchased from Saint-Pair, for whom she won a race, in December 2017 for 72,000 €, and was sold again by Haras Voltaire, in foal to Starman, at the Arqana breeding sales for only 17,000 € to Whitethorn Bloodstock. A colt by Wooded was born in 2022, followed by a third foal by Almanzor. The second dam is a sibling to champion sprinter Lucky Nine (Dubawi).

 

ANGE DE LA MOISSON (f2), FRA by Harry Angel ex Moisson Précoce (Lawman)

Prix de Vieux-la-Romaine (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), February 10, 2023, Deauville

Owner: Hollymount Stud France

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Isabelle Corbani

Rider: Tony Piccone

Starting well and then leading alone without having to be pushed, Ange de la Moisson (Harry Angel) made the difference early in the final straight and held on to win by nearly a length over Mgheera (Zoustar), who finished well after a sluggish start without much consequence since the pace had remained moderate.

The beginner Beautiful Era (De Treville) finished third, more than a length behind, after following the eventual winner.

Ange de la Moisson made her debut at the age of 2 in May over 6 furlongs, and here she was stretched out for her all-weather debut nearly 300 days later.

Bred by Isabelle Corbani, Ange de la Moisson was sold for 47,000 € at the 2021 August yearling sales in Deauville to Australian Matthew Sandblom, co-manager with his wife Wendy Beckett of Hollymount Stud France, owner of the filly.

The filly's brother, Rock the Casbah (City Light), was sold for 85,000 € a year later at Arqana to Gérard Larrieu and Haras d'Étreham.

This is the family of the Maurice de Gheest (Gr1) winner Signs of Blessing (Invincible Spirit), who raced, like Moisson Précoce (Lawman), the Listed-placed mother, for Isabelle Corbani. Moisson Précoce also gave a City Lights colt in 2022.

 

VALENTINO FACE (c3), FRA by Almanzor ex Asumi (Shamardal)

Prix d’Aregenua (Maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), February 10, 2023, Deauville

Owners: Antoine Gilibert, Luciano Disaro

Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

Breeder: SARL Winning Bloodstock Agency

Rider: Ioritz Mendizabal

Seventh in August of last year in the Prix de Montaigu at Deauville and then third and fifth over the mile at Lyon-Parilly, Valentino Face (Almanzor) made a four-month comeback and his All-weather debut here. After an average start, he was able to move up quickly between horses. He soon found himself in the second line behind the front runner Under the Open Sky (Make Believe) and Moon Rider (Ribchester) with the favourite Quartz du Houley (Brametot) outside and Black Paws (Invincible Spirit) on the rail on a second line. One furlong out, as the main contenders were still pushing on Under the Open Sky, Valentino Face only just emerged from the field and placed his final effort, which allowed him to take control and win by nearly a length over Black Paws, who made a pleasant account of himself for his second outing, with Under the Open Sky a good third, half a length behind.

Valentino Face changed ownership twice: as a weanling for 34,000 € at the Arqana breeding sales, where his dam was also sold, in foal to Kendargent, to Zied Romdhane for only 17,000 €, and then as a yearling for 100,000 € in October 2021, when Amanda Skiffington signed the bill.

His dam Asumi (Shamardal), a maiden, was bred by the Fabre family. She is from the Listed winner Azabara (Pivotal), the second dam of the good Arapaho (Lope de Vega).

 

FORELSKET (f3), IRE by New Approach ex Expressly (Siyouni)

Prix des Gazons de Coye (Fillies, 3-year-olds, 1600m Turf), Monday, February 6th, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Godolphin

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Following Thusnelda (Seabhac) after an average start, Forelsket (New Approach) took over at the 400-meter mark and dominated Helles (Wootton Bassett), who had always been in the lead and remained out of reach of second-placed Terredeguerre (Al Wukair)’s closing finish, at three lengths, just in front of Helles. The dam of Forelsket, Expressly (Siyouni), is a sister to champion Rio de la Plata (Rahy), a Group 1 winner for Godolphin. She was sold for €90,000 at Goffs but remained in her previous and current owner's roster. Her dam Express Way (Ahmad) comes from an Argentine family filled with Group winners in Latin America.

 

MR MOLIÈRE (g3), (GB) by Kingman ex Armande (Sea the Stars)

Prix du Rond de Manège (Colts and Geldings, 3-year-olds, 1600m Turf), Monday, February 6th, 2023, Chantilly

Owners: Édouard de Rothschild & Chryss O’Reilly

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeders: Écurie de Meautry, Petra Bloodstock

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Entered in July and August and gelded during the summer, Mr Molière (Kingman) still overwhelmingly dominated this beginners’ race, leaving his closest rival, Highland Archer (Recoletos), who travelled behind him, nine lengths behind. Leoparduccio (Tigron), who came from the rear after missing the start, did well to get third place. Mr Molière comes from the family of the champion mare Urban Sea, her sire’s dam and the sister to her third dam, Altruiste (Diesis), sold for 9 million francs at Deauville in 2000 to Suprina, representing the breeders of Mr Molière. Altruiste did not race but produced a winner of the Prix Maurice de Nieuil (Gr2) and Alpine Snow (Verglas), third in the Prix Fille de l’Air (Gr3), who is the dam of the talented Armande, winner of the Prix Corrida (Gr3) and third in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Gr1). Bred to Siyouni, the mare produced an unraced 4-year-old gelding, Mr Molière, then Mlle Molière (Kingman), a 2-year-old filly, and a yearling filly by No Nay Never.

 

NANGARA (f3), FRA by Myboycharlie and Notte d'Oro (Montjeu)

Prix de Villiers (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), Saturday, February 4 2023, Deauville 

Owner: Mrs Robert G. Ehrnrooth

Trainer: Gianluca Bietolini

Breeder: Haras de Bourgeauville

Rider: Rosario Mangione

A good second to Shembala (Cracksman), who held on at Lyon-La Soie, the leading Nangara (Myboycharlie) this time repelled a brave challenge thrown by Kétamine Bailly (Pomellato), who had already caught the eye three weeks earlier when she finished second.

My Universe (Galiway) finished by two lengths, coming from far behind. 

Nangara is the only one of her siblings to have been registered at the sales in October 2021 in Deauville, but she was withdrawn. Nangara's second dam is Notting Hill (Jules), winner of multiple Group races in Brazil, Gr1-placed in the USA, and dam of South American Group winners too, but also the second dam of the good Nunzia (Epaulette), second of the Jouvenceaux et Jouvencelles (L) at two at Vichy.

 

HIGHWIND (c3), FRA by Zarak and Forecaster (Fastnet Rock)

Prix de Fervacques (Maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), Saturday, February 4 2023, Deauville 

Owner: Christophe Brun

Trainer: Christopher Head

Breeder: SAS Gérard Larrieu

Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

The favourite Highwind (Zarak) early took over the leaders who were held up, and he slowed down before gradually accelerating into the final straight to win nearly three lengths over the two horses who had travelled behind him. No runner could come back on the leaders in the last straight.

Highwind had finished second in his first two races, also on all-weather, showing great resolve last time out when conceding the victory at the end of a long, hard fight. Christophe Brun's charge was bought for €10,000 from the Capucines at the August 2021 sales. His sister by Almanzor, on the other hand, was sold for €20,000 privately to Christopher Head last October in Deauville. Their dam Forecaster (Fastnet Rock), bred by the Queen, left Britain a maiden and was imported into France by Gerard Larrieu, who bought her for £7,000. She went on to win five races in the Southwest, including a handicap at a 76lbs mark at Le Bouscat over 1,900 metres. She took nearly €35,000 before entering stud. 

 

RECOLETTY  (f3), FRA by Recoletos and Letty (Trade Fair)

Prix du Nice Le Havre (3-year-old maiden fillies, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), Friday, February 3, 2023, Deauville

Owners: Gilles Barbarin, Eva Klimscha, Stéphane Cérulis

Trainer: Stéphane Cérulis

Breeder: Eva Klimscha

Rider: Aude Duporte

Two of the three starters with a weight allowance finished first and third in the race. Favourite after her encouraging fifth place in her debut two months earlier over 1,500 metres, Recollety (Recoletos) came from the back of the field to catch up with the frontrunner Ambitious Plan (Aclaim), who tried to make a difference at the entrance to the straight line.

Recollety had been entered in the Prix Douve, a major maiden race, last October in Saint-Cloud - another one of the maiden races boosted to €50,000 this season.

Recollety has been withdrawn from Arqana yearling sales. Her dam Letty (Trade Fair) was bought for 800 pounds as a foal and yet won the Swiss Oaks before taking second place in the Swiss Derby! She has produced four winners before this one, her last foal to date.

The third dam Agathe (Manila), a classic performer herself, is also the dam of the classic winner Aquarelliste (Danehill).

 

BURSTOW (c3), FRA by Wootton Bassett and The Hunt is On (Manhattan Rain)

Prix de Sainte-Adresse (3-year-old maiden colts and geldings, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), Friday, February 3, 2023, Deauville

Owner: Fitriani Hay

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeders: Haras d'Étreham, Meridian International, Benoit Chalmel, Cofinvest

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Eighth in November for his debut over 1,500 metres and seventh, again at Deauville, but over 1,900 metres this time, Burstow (Wootton Bassett) finally opened his record over 1,300 metres. Well positioned in third in a fast-paced nighttime race led by Feeling Great (Pedro the Great), he took over one furlong out and won without being challenged. The colt finished two lengths ahead of French Defense (Anodin), who was long held at the rear and finally took over the favourite Gray d'Albion (Shalaa), who had stalked the future winner throughout the race.

Burstow was bought for 80,000 pounds at Tattersalls, where Etreham consigned him. He was to be presented at the February mixed sales at Arqana but was withdrawn. His Shalaa sister was sold for €30,000 at last September's sales in Deauville. Her dam, the Australian The Hunt is On (Manhattan Rain), won in her native country and has already given Midlife Crisis (Wootton Bassett), winner of the Prix Crévecœur in Deauville - one of the maidens boosted to €50,000 this season by France Galop. She is a sister to two Group 1 winners in Australia and a full sister to Runaway, a Group 3 winner.

A foal by Galiway was born in 2022.