January 2022 Maiden winners

LADY FANTASIA (f3), GB by Decorated Knight ex Lady Wingshot (Lawman)

Prix de la Route des Pins (3-year-old maiden fillies, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), January 28, 2022, Deauville

• Owners: Christoph Holschbach, Stall Nuri
• Trainer: Hans-Albert Blume
• Breeder: Blue Diamond Stud Ltd
• Rider: Anthony Crastus

Trained at Newmarket by Roger Varian until the Autumn, Lady Fantasia (Decorated Knight) joined Hans Blume in Germany after being sold at Tattersalls. Since then, she was extended from 5 to over 6 furlongs and after two placings in Deauville, she discovered the all-weather at Chantilly. She was led to the fore and was able to set the pace, accelerating about one out as she was able to keep her foes in respect without having to fly away. Lady Fantasia beat the favourite and supplemented Oliva (Charm Spirit) by almost a length. Kept behind early on, Lagoa Santa (Toronado), also supplemented, finished well to take third place, again at less than a length, her best result in three outings so far.

Lady Fantasia (Decorated Knight) was sold at Tattersalls for £15,000 to Katarina Irmer and Renello Bloodstock. She's out of Lady Wingshot (Lawman), a Group3 winner at 3who was bought for £ 650,000 as a broodmare prospect in 2013 by Tony Nurses. The great stayer Yeats (Sadler’s Wells) features in a lively bloodline thanks to the offspring of Lassma (Sadler’s Wells) and Pretoria (Habitat), Lady Wingshot's second dam.

Lady Wingshot first foal, by Iffraaj, had been sold to John Ferguson on behalf of Godolphin for £ 320,000. Expecting to Fly raced in 2018 with Henri-Alex Pantall, winning twice in the Provinces before being beaten twice in Listed races.

 

LYRICUS (c3), IRE by Kodiac ex Golden Song (Singspiel)

Prix des Trois Clairières (3-year-old maiden colts and geldings, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), January 28, 2022, Deauville

• Owners: AT Racing SRL, Moreno Poggioni, Massimiliano Allegri
• Trainers: Alessandro & Giuseppe Botti
• Breeder: LE.GI. Di Massimo Parri
• Rider: Simon Planque

Lyricus (Dream Ahead) made lots of progress between his debut on January 8th  and this first win, only 20 days later. Ridden to the fore, he was pushed away two out and won by 3.5 lengths, beating his stablemate and the race's favourite Il Sogno (Dream Ahead).

Lyricus's dam Golden Song (Singspiel) never ran, but went twice to the sales. Her Italian owners got her for €30,000 in November 2016. A few months later, she foaled Cima Emergency (Canford Cliffs), who was to become a Group winner. As for Lyricus, he was withdrawn at Tattersalls, although his siblings by Lope des Vega and Starspangledbanner were sold, respectively, at Goffs for € 120,000 to Goodwill Bloodstock and Tattersalls for £70,000 to Shinco Racing.

 

BETTY NOIR (f4) GB by Brazen Beau ex Betty Brook (Refuse to Bend)

Prix du Fort de Tourneville (Maiden 4-year-olds, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), January 26, 2022, Deauville

• Owner: Emma Littmoden
• Trainer: Nicholas Paul Littmoden
• Breeder: Emma Littmoden
• Rider: Axelle Nicco

Betty Noir (Brazen Beau) was racing here for the 5th time, for her debut over the all-weather. She had started first at Vichy in a claimer at 3, was 3rd at Moulins, and then again in a claimer at Strasbourg, where she finished 4th. Still no claim. Betty Noir again climbed the podium for her fourth and final test at 3 in October at Moulins.

She was making her seasonal bow here and was helped by her rider Axelle Nicco's allowance, and a favourable trip behind the leaders. Betty Noir was able to produce the minimum effort to score here, only holding her best rival, the supplemented Vouchsafe (Kingman), who finally had to give up the 2nd place to a batter finisher, Estacity (Elusive City), who sticked to the rail for her 10th trial.

Betty Noir is owned by her breeder Emma Littmoden. The family had secured the family as Nick bought Betty Brook (Refuse to Bend) as a yearling at Goffs in Doncaster for £20,000. It is only under the 4th dam that a Gr1 winner can be found. The dam had been unsold at £2,400 at Tattersalls at 5. Betty Brook gave her first foal in 2015, Betty Noir being he 4th one and her first winner.

 

KINGENTLEMAN (c3), FRA by Kingman ex Restiadargent (Kendargent)

Prix du Carrefour de la Barre (Maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m, AWT), January 15, 2022, Chantilly

• Owner: Guy Pariente
• Trainers: J. & P. Brandt
• Breeder: Guy Pariente Holding
• Rider: Tony Piccone

A bit keen on his racing debut, over Saint-Cloud's turf course, Kingentleman (Kingman) ran again two months later at Chantilly and finished a good fourth. Experience paid this time as he beat a closing Gavano (Goken), also owned by Guy Pariente. Sectional timing shows that the latter ran the last 3 furlongs in 36”10, a bit faster than the third-placed Machete (Myboycharlie) with 36”23.

The winner's dam Restiadargent (Kendargent) started her career early at 2, winning twice at Group level at Maisons-Laffitte. At 3, her best result was undoubtedly the 3rd place at Royal Ascot in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Gr1) won by the great Black Caviar. Born in 2009, Restiadargent went to stud in 2012 and went four times to Frankel, a black-typed Restiany being the best of that couple. Guy Pariente also sent her at Tattersalls in 2017 but bought her back in foal to Frankel for £950,000. The breeder then sent her to Kingman (Invincible Spirit) for two consecutive years, Kingentleman being the first foal born afterwards. His own sister Steady Woman is in training with Christopher Head.

 

BITS OF LOVE (f3), (IRE) by Showcasing ex Beauty of Love (Elusive City)

Prix du Rond Fille de L’Air (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 1,600m/1m, AWT), January 15, 2022, Chantilly

• Owners: Ecurie des Charmes, Haras d’Etreham
• Trainers: J. & P. Brandt
• Breeders: Ecurie des Charmes, Haras d’Etreham
• Rider: Maxime Guyon

Second in Deauville for her first race in December, Bits of Love (Showcasing) confirmed here in a professional manner with a good trip behind the leading group. Her rider just pushed her in between horses to score by two lengths over Oliva (Charm Spirit). The leader Bon Appétit (Kendargent) stayed on in third.

Bits of Love (Showcasing) races for Ecurie des Charmes and Haras d’Etreham, who were both partners wince 2015 at the Arqana Ausgust sale. Beauty of Love (Elusive City), wonsigned by Haras d’Etreham, was bought for € 75,000 by Meridian International SARL and would race for the Ecurie des Charmes. Also trained by Joachim & Pia Brandt, Beauty of Love won the Prix Satamixa (L) on her way to stud, at 4.

 

 

LUCKY KENTUCKY (c4), IRE by Dabirsim ex Lake Baino (Highest Honor)

Prix de la Chapelle Saint Laurent (Maiden 4-year-olds, 1,500m/7.5f, AWT), January 14, 2022, Deauville

• Owner: Rennstall Sun-Planet
• Trainer: Marian Kalk Weissmeier
• Breeder: SCEA Haras de Manneville
• Rider: Anthony Crastus

Fourt times third in seven appearances, Lucky Kentucky (Dabirsim) still wasn't the most seasoned runner in the field but nevertheless took the lead. His rider waited for the 2-furlong marker and pushed him progressively from then on without much concern on his way to victory. The only beginner in the race, Terremoto (Footstepsinthesand) wqas ridden behind the leaders and finished second within a length Moonlight Cloud (Invincible Spirit)'s sister Vouchsafe (Kingman) finished third for her comeback.

First bought as a yearling at Arqana for € 20,000, Lucky Kentucky (Dabirsim) went back to Dauville in October and was sold € 38,000 to Normandie Pur-Sang. Hois dam Lake Baino (Highest Honor) has given several good winners such as Anzas (Anabaa), who was Listed-placed. The 2nd dam Baino Bluff (Be My Guest) also gave Take Risks (Highest Honor), a triple Group winner in France. Her sister Libanoor is the dam of Stella Blue (Anabaa), Sirius Prospect (Gone West) and Libranous (Ballingarry), who did well over jumps.

 

CHAGALL (g4), GER by Farhh ex Chantra (Lando)

Prix de la Cour Oriot (Maiden 4-year-olds, 1,900m/9.5f, AWT), January 14, 2022, Deauville

• Owners: Philippe Delaey, Fabrice Vermeulen
• Trainer: Ludovic Rovisse
• Breeder: Gestut Haus Ittlingen
• Rider: Hugo Boutin

Claimed on December 26 at Chantilly for €18,555 (€555 above his claiming tag) after finishing 2nd against older horses, Chagall (Farhh) went straight to win his maiden here, again over the all-weather but on a slightly longer trip. He didn't seem to have to do much to succeed after trailing the leader, who had flown away, finishing him in the last two furlongs to score by 2 1/2 lengths as Golfing Star (Invincible Spirit) and Lahayeb (Le Havre) came behind.

Unlike some of his elder siblings, Chagall (Farhh) didn't go to the Baden Baden sales,. Until that claimer, he was racing for his breeder, Gestüt Haus Ittlingenlike his dam before him, Chantra (Lando), a Group3 and Listed-winner, then 3rd in the Vittorio di Capua (Gr1) at San Siro.

Calyxia (Pivotal), Chagall's sister, also did well and the breeders sent the following foals to the sales. Clear for Take Off (Soldier Hollow) and Caesara (Pivotal) were sold for €160,000 and  €140,000 respectively. They didn't do that well at the races yet Chantra's last foal, named Carlton (Frankel) and born in 2020, made €350,000 in 2021 when sold to Godolphin.

 

MASTER GATSBY (c3), FRA by The Grey Gatsby ex Moonee Valley (Aqlaam)

Prix de Saint-Adresse (Maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings, 1,900m/9.5f, AWT), January 12, 2022, Deauville

• Owners: Antoinette Tamagni, Aleksandra Pusnik, Annemarie Van Gils, Antonia Riegel, Daniel Spulher, Katherina Dobers

• Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

• Breeder: Haras de Saint Julien

• Rider: Ioritz Mendizabal

   

After a quiet debut at ParisLongchamp in the Autumn, Master Gatsby (The Grey Gatsby) had made a better impression the second time out at Saint-Cloud. For his 3rd public appearance, he discovered a new course, a new surface and a shorter distance.

Master Gatsby let the front-running Agilulf (Mondialiste) take the lead and came by about 300 yards out to take over and leave on his own to the post. Mobyf (Bobby’s Kitten) finished second at two lengths, he who had unseated his rider on his way to the start last time out. Goldami (The Grey Gatsby) finished well here and finished third very close.

Ioritz Mendizabal was riding the winner for the first time but he had ridden his dam Moonee Valley (Aqlaam) to win the Prix des Réservoirs (Gr3) in 2014 when the filly was trained by Mario Hofer. Sold as a yearling by Haras du Petit Tellier at Arqana, Moonee Valley had been unsold at €20,000. The same happened for her 3rd foal, Master Gatsby, in 2020! His two elder siblings are in training in Spain and in Britain.

Master Gatsby gave his sire The Grey Gatsby (Mastercraftsman), now based at Haras du Petit Tellier, a 5th winner (first crop), and all of them were trained by different horsemen. The Grey Gatsby is also the sire of the 3rd-placed Goldami. His 2021 juveniles had won 6 races and taken 16 places in 40 races, an intriguing 55% strike rate.

 

LONG RIDGE ROAD (f3), IRE by Ribchester ex Surrey Storm (Montjeu)

Prix du Nice Havrais (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 1,900m/9.5f, AWT), January 12, 2022, Deauville

• Owner: White Birch Farm

• Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

• Breeder: Ballinacurra Stud

• Rider: Cristian Demuro

Fourth on the heavy ground then third at 2 at Deauville and Chantilly, Long Ridge Road (Ribchester) finally opens her account and show great potential. Ridden within the field, she started her move in the turn and joined the leader two out. Her rider asked for more one out and she responded to win by three lengths over the beginner Masala (Le Havre), also out of a Montjeu mare. Welcome Sight (Acclaim) was third at 3 lengths with her rider's allowance.

Long Ridge Road's dam Surrey Storm (Montjeu) mostly raced in France where she was trained by Gina Rarick. The trainer had bought her for £10,000 in November 2011 at Newmarket at Tattersalls. Two years later, the Montjeu mare went back there to be sold for £30,000.

Her two Dark Angel foals were handicappers, while her Kodiac (Danehill) filly Aroha was placed in several Group races but failed to win.

Like most of her siblings, Long Ridge Road was sold as a yearling at Tattersalls. She made £185,000 there when bought by White Birch Farm and Demi O’Byrne.

 

GORDON BREAK (g3), FRA by Goken ex Karbayouna (Kouroun)

Prix de la Gare de Pointe Noire (Maiden 3yo colts & geldings, 1,300m/6.5f, AWT), January 8, 2022, Deauville

• Owners: Ecurie TLV, Chauvigny Global Equine Sasu, Ecurie Brillantissime

• Trainer: François Monfort

• Breeder: Pierre Lamy

• Rider: Maxime Guyon

Layford Caye was declared a non-runner after unseating his rider. The winner Gordon Break (Goken) was amongst the most matured runners as he was racing for the 8th time, having climbed the podium on three occasions already.

He went out well from the starting stalls but his rider was happy to let go until de turn, when he had to move outward, with cover though. Two out, Il Sogno (Dream Ahead) was leading and he kept on until 150 yards from home as once well balanced, Gordon Break made his last, decisive move, winning by a short head over Siam Paragon (Shalaa), as Il Sogno faded in 3rd, two lengths behind.

Gordon Break is as fast and precocious as his sire Goken (Kendargent), one of the best young sires in France nowadays. On the dam's side, however, one has to look down to the 5th dam Reine de Lenza (Roi Dagobert) for some black type on the catalogue page.

Gordon Break was sold for € 25,000 as a yearling at Arqana to Chauvigny Global Equine, still a part-owner of the young gelding.

 

GIVE ME GOLD (f3), FRA by Galiway ex Fifty Gold (Medicean)

Prix de la Gare de Dalat (Maiden 3yo fillies), 1,300m/6.5f, AWT), January 8, 2022, Deauville

• Owner: Georges Doleuze

• Trainer: Georges Doleuze

• Breeder: Georges Doleuze

• Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Give Me Gold (Galiway) is bred, owned and trained by Georges Doleuze. Sixth for her debut, also at Deauville but over 7.5 furlongs, she seemed to enjoy this shorter trip. Slightly outpaced early on, she was ridden patiently within the field. As the leading fillies faded one after the other, Lady Fantasia (Decorated Knight) looked like the potential winner with over a furlong to go. However, she also couldn't keep up that fast long enough and was finally able to catch her on the post and won by a short neck, in a promising finish. Red Joan (Showcasing) also finished well in 4th at three lengths. She was bought by her trainer from Godolphin at Tatts for £13,000 after starting a rather unsuccessful career for Godolphin at the Gosdens'.

Give Me Gold's dam Fifty Gold (Medicean) was also owned by Doleuze but he had not bred her. She won 3 races and was placed 15 times in 35 races from her juvenile season on. Fifty Gold went to Arqana as a yearling and made € 5,500 there when purchased by MAB Agency. Give me Gold is her first and only known foal to date.