June 2020 maiden winners

DARKNESS (C2), FRA by Siyouni ex Kerila (Makfi)

Prix Pharel (Maiden 2yos, 1,400m/7f), June 30, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Écurie Jean-Louis Bouchard

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeders: Écurie Haras du Cadran & Écurie Mélanie

Rider: Cristian Demuro

Fast ahead alongside the pacesetter Pomela Laujac (Pomellato), Darkness (Siyouni) took over midway down the line and won by two lengths. Rapido Presto (Pedro the Great) came out on top, dominating Singapor Stesa (Cockney Rebel) by half a length for second place. Pomela Laujac kept the fourth place, more than two lengths down.

The winner had started his career 26 days earlier with a third place, also over 7 furlongs, eight lengths behind the impressive Xaario (read below), and two lengths behind Choco Charly (Myboycharlie), who could not accelerate this time.

Darkness was sold € 220,000 to bloodstock agent Gérard Larrieu for Jean-Louis Bouchard at the Deauville sales. His dam Kerila (Makfi) had been bought sired by Siyouni for €175,000 by trainer Carlos Lerner two years earlier. She had won twice at 2 for the Aga Khan under the training of Jean-Claude Rouget, who therefore takes care of the same family here. Kérila is a sister of the Prix du Bois (Gr3) winner Keratiya (Iron Mask), exported to Australia afterwards.

MISSY PERFECT (F3), IRE by Gleneagles ex Tickled Pink (Invincible Spirit)

Prix Gris Perle (Maiden 3yos, 1,200m/6f), June 30, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Trevor C. Stewart

Trainer: Henri-François Devin

Breeder: Trevor C. Stewart

Rider: Alexis Badel

Third for her debut at 2 in October at Chantilly over this same distance of 6 furlongs, Missy Perfect (Gleneagles) then failed on heavy ground. Again third for her return at Senonnes, in the West of France, she dominated here authoritatively after having followed the leading duo Ascot Jungle (Bungle inthejungle), who finally gave in, and Baileys Blues (Supplicant), who looked like a potential winner entering the last straight. Maavah (Sidestep) ran on strongly and finished second, giving the feeling that she could have been a threat hadn't she leaned to her left.

The winner's dam, Tickled Pink (Invincible Spirit), is a two-time Group 3 winner over 6 and 5 furlongs at 4. She is herself from the sprinter champion Cassandra Go (Indian Ridge). The Frankel brother to Missy Perfect has been withdrawn from the Arqana-Goffs breeze-up sale. Their older brother Nom de Plume (Shamardal) was exported to Sweden, where he won, after starting his career and winning at Croisé-Laroche in the same colours as Missy Perfect.

CŒURSAMBA (F2), FRA by The Wow Signal ex Maréchale (Anabaa)

Prix Pawneese (2yo Maiden Fillies, 1,200m/6f), June 30, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Ecurie Jean-Louis Tepper & Écurie Serge Stempniak

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeders: Julie Mestrallet, Francine Mestrallet & Agathe Cousin Mestrallet

Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

A good third for her debut after setting the pace over 6 furlongs at Lyon-Parilly, Cœursamba (The Wow Signal) this time played a different role since she took over the leaders, in the end, to score on the bit, a good length over Jubilation (Acclamation), who had been checked behind the leading group after a fine start. Kalahara (Frankel) finished third at a length after travelling alongside the leader Acapulco Gold (Bungle Inthejungle). Marie de Vega (Lope de Vega), who had beaten the winner at Lyon, this time finished sixth at around 5 lengths.

Cœursamba was sold as a weanling in Deauville for € 24,000, then as a yearling for € 40,000 to her trainer. She is a sister to the Listed-placed Lady Sidney (Mr Sidney), who won a handicap with a 91lbs rating two years ago. Their dam Maréchale (Anabaa), on the other hand, took only one place for her debut. She is, however, a full sister to the good miler Maxwell (Anabaa).

PRINCE LANCELOT (C2), GB by Sir Prancealot ex Rainbow Vale (Moss Vale)

Prix Riverman (2yo Maiden Colts & Geldings, 1,200m/6f), June 30, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Antoine Gilibert & Fabrice Chappet

Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

Breeder: Écurie Skymarc Farm

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

Purchased € 90,000 at the Deauville sales, Prince Lancelot (Sir Prancealot) was one of the three unraced pretenders amongst the six runners in this maiden race. His dam Rainbow Vale (Moss Vale), out of a Group 3 winner in Ireland who then participated unsuccessfully in the French 1,000 Guineas, ended her career without a win but was second of a mile handicap on all-weather at Deauville with a 73lbs rating. Her first foal, on the other hand, proved to be resolute enough as he went alongside the front-running Prosecco (Starspangledbanner), he fought hard all the way, taking the edge and then resisting his rival's last gasp. The third-placed Dream Composer (Dream Ahead) followed the leaders and finished well.

LIGHT OF NIGHT (F3), GB by Dark Angel ex Night of Light (Sea the Stars)

Prix de Boasne (Maiden 3yos, 2,100m/10.5f), June 26, Chantilly

Owner: Succession Stavros Niarchos

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Succession Stavros Niarchos

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

Ninth for her debut last September on very soft ground, Light of Night (Dark Angel) looked quite straightforward to beat the front-running Mortagne (Le Havre), who didn't easily give way and lost by a length. The German raider Schabaula (Pastorius) stayed on well in third at a length and a half.

The winner's dam, Night of Light (Sea the Stars) won the Prix Volterra (L) at 3 but she had already finished twice 3rd at 2 in the Prix d'Aumale (Gr3) and the Prix Miesque (Gr3 ) for trainer Pascal Bary. She also took the third place in the Prix de Sandringham (Gr2), a length and a quarter behind Mission Impassible. She is a sister to Maria Gabriella (Rock of Gibraltar), a Listed winner and the dam of the good Mariafoot (Footstepsinthesand).

PADOVANA (F3), FRA by Sea the Moon ex Praise Dancing (Blame)

Prix Soleil (Maiden 3yos, 2,000m/10f), June 19, Chantilly

Owner: Mrs Robert G. Ehrnrooth

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Élevage du Haras de Bourgeauville

Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

Entered in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1), Padovana (Sea the Moon) won this race of twelve beginners by four lengths, beating the front-running Candiraton (Dabirsim).

The latter immediately took the lead and was still showing the way going into the final stretch, threatened by Shalya (Camelot), who had travelled on a second row with Pretty Women (Zoffany) inside and Padovana behind her, while the two favourites of the race, Ashim (Stormy Atlantic) along the rail and Treve's first foal Qous (Dubawi) trailing the leading group.

Shalya seemed well in hand 2 out but Candiraton held her off and she quickly faded. Padovana, on the contrary, was driven along about three hundred yards out and she made small work of her rivals, Candiraton running on a good length in front of Pretty Women, also very brave throughout this long final struggle, while Kamaron (Amaron) stayed on along with Qous.

Padovana was bought for € 50,000 at the Deauville sales, while her Wootton Bassett yearling brother was sold for € 112,000 at the same sales a year later. Her dam Praise Dancing (Blame) never ran but she's out of a Listed-placed in Germany. She gave two Wootton Bassett colts after her, and her first foal also form the same sire, the gelding Qurtaj (Wootton Bassett), who won his first race in November at 2 but failed to do anything after that.

SEE THE ROSE (F2), IRE by Kendargent ex Xaarienne (Xaar)

Prix de la Mère Marie (Unraced 2yo Fillies, 1,100m/5.5f), June 19, Chantilly

Owners: Sean Mulryan, Linda Shanahan & Susan Magnier

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: John O’Connor

Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

Nine fillies went down to the start, twice as many as the colts in the Prix du Coq Chantant minutes earlier, and the winner reached the post two seconds faster than boys.

The race was first led by Besting (Evasive), soon joined by Bavaria Express (Dabirsim) along the rail, followed the by favourite See the Rose (Kendargent). Passing the stands, Bavaria Express took over but See the Rose managed to sneak inside between her and the rail, and finally put her nose in front at the wire.

Six lengths behind, Bonita Queen (Arcano) was a nice third, beating Besting by a neck. Pretty One (Dark Angel) was late early, stumbled about 2 out, but finished pleasantly at two and a half lengths in fifth.

The winner was purchased for € 180,000 at the Deauville sales by Blandford Bloodstock. He is a son of the good 2-year-old Xaarienne (Xaar), from the family of the good sprinter King Malpic (King’s Best), also dam of Xaarino (Kendargent), winner of the Prix François Boutin (L) at 2 last year. Xaarienne was sold full of See the Rose for € 85,000 at the Arqana breeding sales, where she was purchased by Meridian International (Ghislain Bozo).

She also previously gave Xaarina (Aussie Rules), dam of the promising Xaario (Kendargent), a maiden winner this month (read below).

SAQR (C2), FRA by Dutch Art ex Varega (Danehill Dancer)

Prix du Coq Chantant (Unraced 2yo Colts & Geldings, 1,100m/5.5f), June 19, Chantilly

Owner: Sheail bin Khalifa al Kuwari

Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

Breeders: Éric Puérari & Oceanic Bloodstock

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Fast ahead alongside Sir Maurice (Gutaifan), Saqr (Dutch Art) took over in the last furlong and won easily, opening the Chappet stable's account with 2yos this season. He won by two and a half lengths over Artouille (Penny’s Picnic), who pipped Sir Maurice for second place after following him all the way. Jostled at the start, Great Sim (Dabirsim), the 4th and last runner, finished at twenty lengths.

Saqr was sold for € 48,000 in August yearling sales in Deauville. He was consigned by the Haras des Capucines owned by his breeders and was purchased by Chantilly Bloodstock Agency (Gérard Larrieu) for his Qatari owner.

Winner of her only race at Bordeaux, the winner's dam Varega (Danehill Dancer) is a full sister of the good Unnefer (Danehill Dancer), a Listed winner in Newmarket over 10 furlongs at 3, also a Dee Stakes (Gr3 ) second at Chester, but also four times Listed second from 2 to 7 years old!

Saqr is Varega's third foal after two maidens who are no longer training and before a Wootton Bassett filly born last year.

JONQUILLE (F2), FRA by Anodin ex Jeune et Jolie (Verglas)

Prix du Cœur Volant (Maiden 2yos, 1,350m/ab. 7f), June 17, Angers (instead of Saint-Cloud)

Owner: Écurie Skymarc Farm

Trainer: Stéphane Wattel

Breeder: Écurie Skymarc Farm

Rider: Théo Bachelot

Jonquille (Anodin) started slowly, made progress around the field, went to the stands' side going off the bend but veered right two out and finally chased the runaway Évasion (Evasive) from the pack, only to take a head on the wire. The favourite Success Story (Dariyan), whom the winner had interfered with while veering, failed by a nose for the second place behind Évasion. Good finish also by the 4th-placed Magic Edouard (Dabirsim) against the outside rail.

Jonquille had started her career with a 4th place in Durtal, nine lengths behind the winner Pedro the Best, since then second in a Class 2 race at the Lion d'Angers.

Jonquille was bought back by the Haras de la Louvière at the Deauville sales last August for € 16,000. Her dam Jeune et Jolie (Verglas) was also trained by Stéphane Wattel for Skymarc Farm and she hasn't won even though she was placed in handicaps with a 68lbs rating. She first gave Monsieur Vic (Lawman), still maiden in Sweden, and a Rajsaman filly born in 2019.

HISTOIRE DE FRANCE (F3), FRA by Saddler Maker ex Aguicheuse, by Lavirco

Prix Géographie (Unraced over jumps 3yo Fillies, Hurdle race, 3,400m/17f), June 13, Compiègne

Owners: Écurie Madame Jacques Cyprès, Gabriel Leenders & Laurent Couétil

Trainer: Gabriel Leenders

Breeders: Jacques Cyprès & Laurent Couétil

Rider: Clément Lefebvre

After waiting in the rear early on as Hiper des Mottes (Maresca Sorrento) was leading on her own, Histoire de France (Saddler Maker) started to make headway in the back straight and came by jumping the second last to take the lead at the last and run away without any opposition. She won by over six lengths beating the favourite Fortunes Melody (Yorgunnabelucky), who recovered well after looking outpaced at some stage, and Hozora (Masterstroke), always noted close to the pace.

The AQPS-bred Histoire de France had started with a fourth place over the flat in Durtal. She was bred by Jacques Cyprès and Laurent Couétil in the Nièvre. She is the first foal out of Aguicheuse (Lavirco), a winner over hurdles at Auteuil and chasing at Enghien, who has also given since two fillies after that, by Karaktar and then Cokoriko. Aguicheuse is out of Nouvelle Vague (Ragmar), also the dam of the good Une Vague (Voix du Nord), winner of the Christian de Tredern Mares' Hurdle race (L) and over Enghien's steeplechase. The third dam La Salamandre (Pot d'Or), that is the dam of Nouvelle Vague, was a mare owned by of Mrs René Couétil who did not make the frame in four attempts at the races but also gave birth to El Paso III (Rock Video), winner of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Gr1) in 2002 and of more than € 1.3 million.

MICA MALPIC (G3), FRA by Hunter’s Light ex Moon Malpic (Green Tune)

Prix Grandak (Unraced over jumps 3yo Colts & Geldings, Hurdle race, 3,400m/17f), June 13, Compiègne

Owner: OTI Management & écurie de Roebeck

Trainer: David Cottin

Breeder: Pierre Pasquet

Rider: Kévin Nabet

Mica Malpic (Hunter’s Light) led all the way and won in a canter. 2nd and 3rd, two geldings trained by Sylvain Dehez, Prunay (Prince Gibraltar) and Rim Fire (Mastercraftsman), finished well at 9 and 20 lengths. They were the only ones at the start who had run already over the flat, and none of them was in the chase early on.

Bred by Pierre Pasquet, Mica Malpic was purchased for €6,000 at the Deauville sales by AGB Agency, that is Antoine Gonfier. His dam Moon Malpic (Green Tune), bred by haras du Quesnay, had run only once without success for Pierre Pasquet. She is a sister to Cafe Society (Motivator), Group 2-placed in Australia. It's also the family of Marshall (Anabaa), a Prix de Guiche (Gr3) winner. He's from the 2nd crop sired by Hunter’s Light (Dubawi), a Group 3-placed at 3 in Britain over 1m4f and a Group 1 winner over 1m2f in Dubaï. He's based at the Haras du Logis in France.

CEINTURE NOIRE (F3), FRA by Wootton Bassett ex Meandra (Dubawi)

Prix de Trévise (3yo Maiden Fillies, 1,600m/1m), June 11, Compiègne

Owners: Micheline Leurson & Jacques Lastrajoli

Trainer: Romain Le Dren Doleuze

Breeder: Petra Bloodstock

Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

Supplemented in the race, Ceinture Noire (Wootton Bassett) won all the way, beating Gellhorn (Showcasing), who confirms his good debut, by a length and a half, with Huamulan (Wootton Bassett) in third at ¾ of a length after a cosy finish in between horses.

Before the race, the winner already had earned nearly € 100,000, mainly thanks to her second place in the Haras du Bouquetot - Criterium Arqana October Sale. She also finished fourth in the Prix des Réservoirs (Gr3). A pleasant fourth for her comeback, she now wins her first race.

Sold for € 15,000 as a yearling at the Deauville Arqana sales, Ceinture Noire is out of Meandra (Dubawi), winner at Chantilly and herself sold in foal of Lawman for € 23,000 at the Arqana breeding sales to Romdhane Zied. She's also given a 2-year-old filly by Maxios in training with Georges Doleuze, and an Anodin colt last year.

KING GOLD (C3), FRA by Anodin ex Miss Gandelia (Kingsalsa)

Prix de l’Opéra Comique (Maiden 3yo Colts & Geldings, 1,600m/1m), June 11, Compiègne

Owners: Raymonde Wingtans & Nicolas Caullery

Trainer: Nicolas Caullery

Breeder: Raymonde Wingtans

Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

Twelfth for his debut in September, King Gold (Anodin) had not run since 258 days. Apart from the two beginners, who failed to make an impression today, every other runner had already had a run this season. Yet, King Gold was the only one to not only catch up with the runaway leader Juliusjuliusson (War Front) and finally beat him by half a length while the favourite, Talap (Kingman), failed to keep up with the two first home despite a favourable trip along the rail. He was placed third at one length and a half, half a length ahead of Undark (Karakontia), who finished well after looking outpaced behind Juliusjuliusson, who also races for the Niarchos family.

Bred by Raymonde Wingtans, like his dam, 2nd dam and 3rd dam, King Gold is out of the unraced Miss Gandelia (Kingsalsa) and descends from Régalade (Black and Gold), born in 1982, the first mare acquired by the Wingtans. If Miss Gandelia did not run, all her siblings ran and won, including Queen America (American Post), winner of the Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles (L), and third in the Prix du Calvados Haras des Capucines (Gr3).

ROUGIR (F3), FRA by Territories ex Summer Moon (Elusive City)

Prix Pauline (Unraced 2yo Fillies, 1,400m/7f), June 10, Chantilly

Owner: Haras de la Gousserie

Trainer: Cédric Rossi

Breeder: Jan Krauze

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

The fillies in the Prix Pauline completed their 7 furlongs almost two seconds faster than the males from the Prix de Rochefort. Two fancied runners, Isle of White (Siyouni) and King’s Harlequin (Camelot), were starting outside in this group of eleven runners but they left the stalls fast enough to come by the leaders, even though both jumped the road going into the bend. Rougir (Territories), on the other hand, was kept cosily within the field.

In the final run-in, Isle of White seemed to control the race as her rider Cristian Demuro did not ask her anything and she came like that to the fore about three hundred yards out, but Rougir came by and finally beat her quite easily, by a length, while King's Harlequin was a good third, beaten a neck.

Rougir was sold as a weanling for € 14,000 and as a yearling for € 55,000 to Françoise Dupuis at the Arqana August sales. Her dam Summer Moon (Elusive City) was herself sold to Genovaa € 15,000, in foal of Style Vendôme, at the last Arqana breeding sales. Her Recorder colt followed the same path as his dam in the same sale.

COACHELLO (C2), FRA by Dunkerque ex Rock Harmonie (Rock of Gibraltar)

Prix de Rochefort (Unraced 2yo Colts & Geldings, 1,400m/7f), June 10, Chantilly

Owners: Micheline Leurson & Christiane Head

Trainer: Romain Le Dren Doleuze

Breeder: Micheline Leurson & Christiane Head

Rider: Alexis Badel

After travelling behind the front-runner Valdarann ​​(Siyouni), Coachello (Dunkirk) won by a short neck in the very last strides as Sport Coupé (Toronado) finished well in third, two lengths down the field.

The winner is the eighth foal out of Rock Harmonie (Rock of Gibraltar), who left the competition without a win but finished second in the Prix du Petit Couvert (Gr3) over 5 furlongs before finishing sixth in the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (Gr1) for owner Micheline Leurson and trainer Criquette Head, who are now both owners and breeders of Coachello. Coachello’s second dam, the unraced Rigoureuse (Septième Ciel), is a sister to the classic Baiser Volé (Foolish Pleasure).

Among the best foals out of Rock Harmonie, one can cite Richemont (Anodin), who made over € 160,000 for owner Gérard Augustin-Normand, and Rock Blanc (Youmzain), who won his handicap on the same card than Coachello! Rock Harmonie also has a foal by Anodin born last year.

CHÉRIE AMOUR (F3), FRA by Shalaa ex Angel Falls (Kingmambo)

Prix des Colonnes Morris (2yo maiden Fillies, 1,400m/7f), June 4, Clairefontaine (instead of ParisLongchamp)

Owner: Lady Bamford

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeders: Écurie des Monceaux, Écurie Loïck Fouchet, Ralphy Meahjohn & Kastro Stud Farm

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Third out of four, racing well, on May 21 for her debut over 5 furlongs at Deauville, Chérie Amour (Shalaa) this time took the lead and was never really challenged, even though the rider of second-placed Chiri Tsubaki (Siyouni) had had to check is mount for lack of space, squeezed between the rail and the winner a hundred yards out or so. The two lengths separating the fillies home and the ease showed by the winner convinced the stewards to leave it as it was.
The filly was bought for € 250,000 by Charlie Gordon-Watson at the Arqana Deauville sales, where she was consigned by Écurie des Monceaux, her co-breeder. She is a ¾ sister of the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1) winner Self Defense (Invincible Spirit) since her sire Shalaa is also by Invincible Spirit.
It is a great family, full of very good black-type at every generation, even if the dam of Chérie Amour, Angel Falls (Kingmambo), never raced.

XAARIO (C2), FRA by Kendargent ex Xaarina, par Aussie Rules)

Prix des Fontaines Wallace (2yo maiden Colts & Geldings, 1,400m/7f), June 4, Clairefontaine (instead of ParisLongchamp)

Owner: Abdullah Al Maddah

Trainer: Pia Brandt

Breeder: Guy Pariente Holding

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Second for his debut on May 14 at saint-Cloud, two lengths behind the talented Sealiway, and two lengths ahead of Choco Charly Myboycharlie), Xaario (Kendargent) won cantering this time, leaving the 2nd-placed Choco Charly at six lengths without breaking a sweat.

Bred by Guy Pariente, who owned the dam Xaarina (Aussie Rules), a winner at Moulins and twice a Listed 4th, Xaario was sold €50,000 to ITC (Jean-Pierre de Gasté) at the Arqana October sales, consigned by Haras de Colleville. This the family of the good sprinter King Malpic (King’s Best), a Prix de Ris-Orangis (Gr3) winner.