29 January 2021
Over the course of each month, we update the review of the maiden winners on France Galop racecourses, an opportunity to discover the rising stars of French racing ...
Photos scoopdyga.com
LONGVILLERS (c3), FRA by Le Havre ex Lady Meydan (American Post)
€25,000 Prix du Rond Fille de l’Air (Maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m AWT), January 29, Chantilly
- Owner: Gérard Augustin-Normand (€12,500 prizemoney + Frenchbred - 90% provision on 60% Owner's Premium: €6,750 = €19,250)
- Trainer: Yann Barberot
- Breeder: Franklin Finance (Frenchbred, non-French sire, 13% Breeders' Premium: €2,502)
- Rider: Grégory Benoist
Good third for his debut on this course in December, but over 9 furlongs, Longvillers (Le Havre) this time clearly dominated, especially as the biggest threat, Spargi Island (Footstepsinthesand), was boxed in for too long along the rail to be able to build any kind of challenge.
The winner had taken over in a decisive effort ad midstretch, finally leaving his rivals at one and a half-length at least.
Bred by his owner, Longvillers is the sixth foal out of Lady Meydan (American Post), winner of three races including the Prix Cérès (L) over 7 furlongs at Saint-Cloud. Longvillers is, therefore, a full brother to Montviette (Le Havre), winner of two races at 2 before finishing second in the Prix des Reservoirs (Gr3).
DICTION (f3), FRA by Lawman ex Saying (Giant’s Causeway)
€25,000 Prix Princeline (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 1,600m/1m AWT), January 29, Chantilly
- Owners: Wertheimer & Frère (€12,500 prizemoney + Frenchbred - 90% provision on 60% Owner's Premium: €6,750 = €19,250)
- Trainer: Freddy Head
- Breeders: Wertheimer & Frère (Frenchbred, non-French sire, 8.5% Breeders' Premium: €1,636)
- Rider: Aurélien Lemaître
Dead-heat in this maiden at the end of a long struggle between Dark Between Stars (Dark Angel, see below) and Diction (Lawman). One of the fastest at the start, Diction was soon taken over by a keen Missive Royale (Slickly Royale). On her own in pursuit, Diction joined the runaway leader early in the straight before Dark Between Stars took her on. She bravely picked up the gauntlet and eventually shared victory.
A good performance, therefore, for this filly who started in the always hot Prix des Marettes in August in Deauville (8th) and then could not go on with a maiden win. Out for three months, she is off to a good second start.
Diction is the fifth foal out of Saying (Giant's Causeway), daughter of the great Pas de Reponse (Danzig) and a Listed winner over 7 furlongs at 2 who also served as a pacemaker for Goldikova in the Le Marois 2010. Her best offspring so far 'then is Dicton (Lawman), winner of the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3) before finishing third in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas, Gr1) and in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1) for owner Robert Ng. Diction is a reproduction of this successful mating.
Saying also gave Daiwa Major filly in 2020.
DARK BETWEEN STARS (f3), (GB) by Dark Angel ex Dahama (Green Desert)
€25,000 Prix Princeline (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 1,600m/1m AWT), January 29, Chantilly
- Owner: Al Asayl France (€12,500 prizemoney + Uk-born, Frenchbred - 90% provision on 60% Owner's Premium: €6,750 = €19,250)
- Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
- Breeder: Al Asayl Bloodstock Ltd (Uk-born, Frenchbred, non-French sire, 8.5% Breeders' Premium: €1,636)
- Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot
Too close to call at the end of a heated struggle between Dark Between Stars (Dark Angel) and Diction (Lawman, see above), the two favourites of the race. Starting at her own pace and then held by the rail, Dark Between Stars seemed to gain the upper hand over Diction a hundred yards out but her rival recovered well and kept coming back to the wire.
Dark Between Stars was running for the fourth time. Sixth for her debut in November at Deauville on the all-weather, second then at Lyon-La Soie, again on the sand, and a little disappointing when she finished third to Atalante, showing that 9 furlongs were possibly too long for her liking, she was able to break the duck over the mile here. Not so surprisingly since her sire Dark Angel was a sprinter, and her second dam Darling Flame (Capote) second-placed in the Cherry Hinton Stakes (Gr3), over 6 furlongs, also third dam of the July Cup (Gr1) winner Ten Sovereigns… The dam Dahama (Green Desert), on the other hand, couldn't win and went to stud a maiden. Dark Between Stars is her latest foal according to France Galop data. She previously gave the good Al Thakhira (Dubawi), winner of the Rockfel Stakes (Gr2) on her second outing, at 2 over 7 furlongs, but also Dragoness (Frankel), sold for € 50,000 at Deauville at 3 after winning at Saint-Malo over 9 furlongs.
SHALGODA DIAMOND (f3), (GB) by Bated Breath ex Diamond Lace (Iffraaj)
€25,000 Prix du Moulin des Planches (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), January 16, Chantilly
- Owner: Elbashir Salem Ab Alhrari (€12,500 prizemoney + Uk-born, Frenchbred - 90% provision on 60% Owner's Premium: €6,750 = €19,250)
- Trainer: Romain Le Dren Doleuze
- Breeder: Mme Waltraut Spanner (Uk-born, Frenchbred, non-French sire, 8.5% Breeders' Premium: €1,636)
- Rider: Théo Bachelot
ATALANTE (f3), FRA by Anodin ex Dyctynna (Stormy River)
€25,000 Prix Biribi (3-year-old maiden fillies, 1,800m/9f AWT), January 13, Chantilly
- Owner: Edwige Budka (€12,500 prizemoney + Frenchbred, 90% provision on 60% Owner's Premium: €6,750 = €19,250)
- Trainer: Adélaïde Budka
- Breeder: Jean-Pierre Colombu (Frenchbred, French sire, 13% Breeders' Premium: €2,502)
- Rider: Thibault Speicher
Well placed early behind the front-running Missive Royale (Slickly Royal), the beginner Atalante (Anodin) travelled easily and was still well on the bit as the first challengers were already beginning to struggle after the bend. The filly bid her time and soon prevailed, winning easily by half a length. Coming from the rear, another debutante, Violet Run (Heeraat), finished strong to snatch second place from the favourite, Darkbetweenstars (Dark Angel), who once again failed after having had every chance, on a distance her trainer feared would be slightly too long for her liking.
Atalante was bred by Jean-Pierre Colombu, former vice-president of France Galop, who presented her consigned by Haras d'Ellon at the Arqana sales in November 2019. She was sold for € 4,000 to Fabio Bloodstock Agency (Fabio Carnevali). Trained by Adélaïde Budka, daughter of the director of the French jockeys' School Didier Budka, who started training at Lamorlaye last March, the filly is the best foal out of Dyctynna (Stormy River), winner of three races, sister of the Vanteaux (Gr3) winner Barkaa (Siyouni), and sold in foal to Dariyan for € 3,000 at the December 2019 sales in Deauville.
PROMETEO (c3), FRA by War Command ex Winografa (Teofilo)
€25,000 Prix Artus (Maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings, 1,800m/9f AWT), January 13, Chantilly
- Owner: Daniele Zarroli (€12,500 prizemoney + Frenchbred, 90% provision on 60% Owner's Premium: €6,750 = €19,250)
- Trainer: Daniele Zarroli
- Breeder: Haras d’Haspel (Frenchbred, foreign sire, 8.5% Breeders' Premium: €1,636)
- Rider: Augustin Madamet
Coming from the rear, where he was still 300 yards out, Prometeo (War Command) went past the field in a convincing fashion to win by two lengths over Smudo (Canford Cliffs), who had just taken over the front-running outsider Always Viv (Pomellato). The favourite Bernouville (Le Havre) missed the start and came back close to the lead in the turn but could not accelerate again in the final stage. He finished third at a good length, a head ahead of Spargi Island (Footstepsinthesand), which also faded in the end.
Prometeo had just played bad luck in a previous maiden on this course and distance, finishing eighth after having been checked several times in-running.
Bought for € 10,000 by his owner-trainer at Arqana, Prometeo is out of a 3-year-old winner at La Teste who also produced a filly by The Grey Gatsby, sold for € 15,000 in Deauville in October. Her latest foal to date, born in 2020, is a Lawman filly.
MYSTERIOUS LAND (g3), FRA by Territories ex Secret Melody (Inchinor)
€25,000 Prix de la Gare de Pointe-Noire (Maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), January 9, Deauville
- Owner: Isabelle Corbani (€12,500 prizemoney + Frenchbred, 90% provision on 60% Owner's Premium: €6,750 = €19,250)
- Trainer: Stéphane Wattel
- Breeders: Isabelle Corbani & Jedburgh Stud (Frenchbred, foreign sire, 8.5% Breeders' Premium: €1,636)
- Rider: Maxime Guyon
Timely ridden by Maxime Guyon, Mysterious Land (Territories) was able to place his effort without any hint and dominate Ozan (Toronado), partnered with the woman-jockey Marie Vélon, who had veered to the outside entering the homestretch. He eventually conceded the win and finished second at half a length.
It was Mysterious Land's third outing after a debut at Châteaubriant and a promising fifth place on the same course and distance as today. He was sold for € 90,000 at Arqana to Paul Nataf. Bred by Chryss O’Reilly (Petra Bloodstock), her dam Secret Melody (Inchinor) won the Prix des Sablonnets (L) in Nantes and then a Group 3, also over the mile, in Cologne for trainer Alex Pantall. She also gave in 2019 a filly by Dream Ahead, but first the good Pearl Flute (Piccolo), notable winner of the 2012 Prix des Chênes (Gr3) for the then-new trainer Francis Graffard.
Secret Melody was sold herself for € 11,000 by Haras de la Louvière in December 2011 at Arqana, in foal to Moss Vale, while Pearl Flute was still a yearling. MAB Agency (Marc-Antoine Berghghracht) had bought the mare while the following summer, after the revelation of Pearl Flute, Haras de la Louvière sold his sister by Lawman, a future Listed winner, for € 98,000.
SATORIE (f3), FRA by Territories ex Salicorne (Aragorn)
€ 25,000 Prix de la Gare de Dalat (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), January 9, Deauville
- Owner: Jean-Pierre Dubois (€12,500 prizemoney + Frenchbred, 90% provision on 60% Owner's Premium: €6,750 = €19,250)
- Trainer: Cédric Rossi
- Breeder: Jean-Pierre Dubois (Frenchbred, foreign sire, 8.5% Breeders' Premium: €1,636)
- Rider: Théo Bachelot
Third for her debut at Lyon La Soie over 9 furlongs three weeks earlier, Satorie (Territories) benefited from favourable circumstances here as she was ridden in front and kept an edge all the way to the post even though Missveri (Sommerabend) finished well but came way too late from the rear, having had to switch to the outside in the process. The three pounds her apprentice rider was receiving weren't enough to make a difference this time.
Bred by her owner Jean-Pierre Dubois, Satorie was unsold at € 90,000 as a yearling at Deauville. Her dam Salicorne (Aragorn) did not race but she is out of Soignée (Dashing Blade), the dam of champion Stacelita ...
HONOR AND PLEASURE (c4), GB by Oasis Dream ex Holy Moon (Hernando)
€ 18,000 Prix de la Cour Oriot (Maiden 4-year-olds, 1,900m9.5f AWT), January 9, Deauville
- Owners: Scuderia dei Duepi & A&G Botti (€9,000 prizemoney - UK-bred, no Owners' Premium)
- Trainer: A&G Botti
- Breeder: Razza del Velino (UK-bred, no Breeder's Premium)
- Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot
Third and then fourth on this course at the end of the year, Honor and Pleasure (Oasis Dream) won easily this time after travelling within the field and diving towards the rail into the home stretch. He won a length and a half over No Brexit (Intello), from Germany, and Sacred Belief (Muhaarar), who finished well. Out of Holy Moon (Hernando), Honor and Pleasure is a brother of the champion filly Sea of Class (Sea the Stars), whose full brother was withdrawn from the Goffs breeding sale last winter as a foal. Honor and Pleasure, on the other hand, was sold as a foal for £ 55,000 but bought back as a yearling for £ 240,000.
A listed winner in Italy, Holy Moon has now foaled 11 starters who have all won, including two classic-winners and three Group 1 winners…
BADEN ROCKS (c4), FRA by Champs Elysees ex Becomes You (Lomitas)
€ 18,000 Prix de Pinamar (Maiden 4-year-olds, 1,200m/6f AWT), January 8, Deauville
- Owners: C. Holschbach & O. Post (€9,000 prizemoney + Frenchbred, 90% provision on 45% Owner's Premium: €3,645 = €12,645)
- Trainer: Hans Blume
- Breeders: Succession Moratalla, Alban Chevalier du Fau & Philippe Henry (Frenchbred, foreign sire, 8.5% Breeders' Premium: €1,074)
- Rider: Pierre Bazire
It was a fifteenth attempt for Baden Rocks (Champs Elysees), the first maiden winner of the year at Deauville, over 6 furlongs on the all-weather. Trained by Hans Blume, he's already a quite consistent sort since it was his tenth podium since his debut, in September 2019 in Strasbourg ...
Baden Rocks also made the frame on a few occasions in handicaps lbs82 tag, a rating that was never amended over the course of his career and six handicap runs, all but one earning him a cheque. Baden Rocks already made €66,813 in prizemoney and premiums before this first success!
To win here, he travelled on the outside of the field after a messy start, then gradually got closer and gained the upper hand over one of the leading runners, Ocean Chop (Vale of York), who stayed on in second at almost two lengths, keeping a short neck ahead of Dilar (Makfi), who finished well.
It was at the Baden-Baden sales that Baden Rocks was sold as a yearling for € 9,000 in August 2018 by the Channel Consignment, a company managed by his co-breeder Alban Chevalier du Fau. He's the 7th foal out of Becomes You (Lomitas), a winner of the Critérium de l'Ouest (L), herself out of Joyeuse Entrée (Kendor), winner of the Prix d'Aumale (Gr3) at 2 and also the dam of Tin Horse (Sakhee), winner of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000, Gr1).
Two youngers foals follow. A Wootton Bassett colt born in 2018 and sold as a yearling for € 18,000 in Ireland, and a Fastnet Rock filly unsold at € 52,000 at last year's Arqana sales.