11 May 2020
Photo scoopdyga.com
The Prix de la Grotte (Gr3) is the traditional stepping stone leading to The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas, Gr1). The classic program has been affected by the Covid19 lockdown. Both these races take place one month late, but as usual, the Grotte is run three weeks before the first classic of the season, also over one mile.
The lot was wide open with a few talented fillies at the start yet the best one on the form, Tropbeau (Showcasing), won cosily by a half-length, finally holding a resolute Dream and Do (Siyouni), who seemed to have taken the lead about one furlong out. Khayzaraan (Kingman) faded after leading the race, followed by the German import Tickle Me Green (Sea the Moon), who hadn't run in France before France and fought all the way, beaten a head. The field finished 2 1/2 lengths down.
Purchased 180,000 at the breeze-up sales in Deauville, Tropbeau started with a sixth place. She won shortly after that at Clairefontaine, then in the Prix Six Perfections Sky Sports Racing (Gr3) and finally in the Shadwell Prix du Calvados (Gr2). She concluded her first season with a third place in the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes (Gr1) at Newmarket.
She is entered in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr1), Saint-Alary (Gr1) and Diane (Gr1).
Winner of the Sky Sports Prix Six Perfections (Gr3) last time out on a turning seven furlongs-trip on this racecourse, Tropbeau was bought in May 2019 at the Arqana breeze-up for € 180,000. Bred in Great Britain by Lord Margadale, the filly is the first foal out of Frangipanni (Dansili), a winner over 6 and 7 furlongs in Britain for owner Lady Rothschild, and herself out of the fast Frizzante (Efisio), winner of a July Cup (Gr1) over 6 furlongs at Newmarket. A brother to Tropbeau by Iffraaj was bred in 2018.