The June 2023 Maiden winners

 

EMPLOY (f2), IRE by Caravaggio ex Emergent (Oasis Dream)

Prix de la Troublerie (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,400m/7f), June 28, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Khalid Abdullah Estate

Trainer: Henri-François Devin

Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ireland

Rider: Clément Lecœuvre

Third on her debut and fourth, both times over 5 furlongs, Employ (Caravaggio) finished well the first time out and, on the contrary, lost the third place right at the end in her next outing.

Here, she travelled in third position behind Oasina (Oasis Dream) and Rita Aurora (Holy Roman Emperor), with the latter faltering in the final straight to let Employ dominate and win convincingly. Oasina was beaten by nearly four lengths, while Avenue Montaigne (Zarak), the unraced favourite of the race, finished two lengths behind.

Emergent (Oasis Dream), the dam of Employ, won on her debut at 2 and finished third in a Group 3 Irish Guineas Trial. Nevertheless, she only ran again during the summer without success.

At stud, this daughter of Trojan Queen (Empire Maker), herself out of the champion Banks Hill (Danehill) and a winner of only one race, has already produced a maiden winner and a below-par Gleneagles gelding sold for £12,000 after two initial failures at the summer of 2022 at Newmarket...

A Caravaggio filly was born in 2021...

 

PALAZZO (c2), FRA by War Front ex Pollara (Camelot)

Prix de Vineuil (Maiden 2-year-old Colts & Geldings, 1,400m/7f), June 28, 2023, Chantilly

Owners: Ilse Smits, Jean-Etienne Dubois, Écurie Hunter Valley, Écurie Elag, Jennifer Bianco, Pierre-Étienne Dubois

Trainer: Christopher Head

Breeders: Écurie des Monceaux, Jean-Étienne Dubois, Ilse Smits

Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

Spotted on his debut at Saint-Cloud 36 days earlier, when he finished fourth behind Havana Cigar over 6 furlongs, looking rather outpaced, Palazzo (War Front) took the lead with blinkers for this second attempt. He resisted the challenge from the unraced favourite, Stangheli (Shalaa), who seemed to take the lead 250 meters out but ultimately finished second at nearly two lengths, just a head ahead of Gold Index (Night of Thunder), who finished strongly on the inside.

Palazzo is out of Pollara (Camelot), sold for $975,000 to Arthur Hoyeau while in foal with Palazzo, at the Keeneland breeding sales in November 2020. Pollara, a winner of the Prix de Royaumont (Gr3) in her third and final French start for Ilse Smits, a co-owner of the colt, subsequently went to the United States, where she failed before returning to France at Monceaux following that sale.

She is out of Brooklyn's Storm (Storm Cat), a sister to Arc winner Solemia and the dam of Stormina (Gulch), dam of the good filly Silasol (Monsun)...

Palazzo was sold for €240,000 at the Deauville sales to Arthur Hoyeau and he now races for a syndicate including some of his breeders. His Dubawi yearling brother is in the Arqana August sale, and a Siyouni filly follows...

 

LIWA OASIS (f2), GB by Lope de Vega and Secret Gaze (Galileo)

Prix Gazala (3-year-old maiden fillies, 1,400m/7f), Friday, June 23, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Al Shira’aa Farms

Trainer: Pascal Bary

Breeders: Newsells Park Stud, Qatar Bloodstock Ltd.

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

The path of the winner Liwa Oasis (Lope de Vega) has some similarities to that of the winner of the Colts' version of this maiden, Austral. Like him, she was running for the fourth time; it was her second time over 7 furlongs after placing three times. The comparison stops there as she started at age 2 with a fourth place that earned her entries in the St-Alary and Prix de Diane. Third on her comeback in April, and again on her first attempt over this 7-furlong trip, she easily dominated here, tracking the leaders along the rail. Her rider let her settle before taking over at the 300-metre mark and cruising to an easy victory, three lengths ahead of Pierrefitte (Dariyan), who finished well after racing in the rear.

Liwa Oasis was purchased for £260,000 at the Tattersalls yearling sales. Her younger brother by Siyouni was sold for £400,000 at the same sales last year. A Dubawi filly born in 2022 is worth watching...

Their dam, Secret Gaze (Galileo), did not race, but she is the full sister to Japan, winner of the Grand Prix de Paris and the International Stakes at York, as well as Mogul and Secret Gesture. The third dam is Saganeca (Sagace), from which Sagamix, Sagacity, Jeune et Jolie, etc., descend.

 

ZARAJANE (f2), FRA by Zarak and Santa Louisia (Highest Honor)

Prix Idalie (2-year-old maiden fillies, 1,400m/7f), Friday, June 23, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Marcstown Farms

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: SCA Élevage de Tourgeville, Mrs. Pierre Lepeudry, Hilary Erculiani

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

One of the six unraced fillies in the race, Zarajane (Zarak) nevertheless started as the favourite. Well placed behind the leaders Lord of War (Ruler of the World) and Shiffrin (Olympic Glory), she let those two start battling in the final straight on the outside before reeling them in while leaning against the outer rail. She won by more than a length ahead of Shiffrin, who found the energy to regain the lead over Lord of War.

Zarajane was purchased for €95,000 as a yearling at the Deauville sales by McCalmont Bloodstock. Her dam, the maiden Santa Louisia (Highest Honor), comes from Prix Fille de l'Air (Gr3) winner Maroussie (Saumarez), also dam of the good Maroussies Wings (In The Wings), a winner of the Prix Minerve (Gr3).

 

AUSTRAL (c3), FRA by Zelzal and Saga Boréale (Arch)

Prix Youth (3-year-old maiden colts and geldings, 1,400m/7f), Friday, June 23, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Al Shaqab Racing

Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

Breeder: Haras de Bourgeauville

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

Defeated on all-weather and over 9 furlongs for his debut, then over a mile and on turf afterwards, again racing well, Austral (Zelzal) made his debut over 7 furlongs with another second-place finish before easily breaking through here.

After a good start, he let the leader Big Star (Al Wukair) pass him, then took over off the final bend along the outer rail and went on to score a comfortable victory. He kept a three-length advantage over two closers, the second-placed Short Final (Zelzal) and the third-placed Attack Massive (National Defense). Big Star weakened towards the end but held on to fourth place.

Entered in the upcoming Arqana summer sale, where he is scheduled to go through the ring on July 6, Austral is the fifth foal out of Saga Boréale (Arch), who ended her maiden career with a narrow defeat in Royan despite her apprentice's claim... Bred by the Haras de Bourgeauville, she has given a few winners since then, and Austral was sold for €52,000 as a yearling to Mandore for Al Shaqab. A Zelzal filly was born in 2021. This family traces back to the great matron Whakilyric, daughter of Austral's fourth dam, and dam of the champions Hernando, Johann Quatz, Akeed Mofeed, etc.

 

NEEDLEPOINT (f2), IRE by Blue Point out of Zenella (Kyllachy)

Longines Prix de la Reine Blanche (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,400m/7f), Sunday 18th June 2023, Chantilly

Owners: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners

Trainer: Amy Murphy

Breeder: Diomed Bloodstock

Rider: Clifford Lee

Quickly taking the lead, the English raider Needlepoint (Blue Point) went all the way in a very professional manner, leaving behind the co-favourite of the race, Salva Mea (Wootton Bassett), who had to be pushed forward right from the start, which she didn't handle well, to catch up with the frontrunner. In the final phase, Expert Advice (Expert Eye), who had followed along the rail in a good position, finished strongly after struggling to find room to make a move and secured second place, two lengths behind the winner.

Salva Mea stayed on in third and should be looking to take her revenge soon. The other favourite, One Mistress (Lope de Vega), was too keen after a sluggish start. Restrained early on, she couldn't accelerate in the end. She finished 4th, a good length behind Salva Mea.

The winner was purchased for €62,000 at last year's Goffs Orby sales. She is the eighth and final foal out of Zenella (Kyllachy), a Listed winner as a 2-year-old over a mile. Her 2nd dam is a Gr1 winner in the USA. She has also already produced a Listed winner on the all-weather, Fox Power (Dark Angel), who no longer performs at such a level and will be sold at Tattersalls in July.

 

SAJIR (c2), IRE by Make Believe ex Simple Magic (Invincible Spirit)

Prix du Château Bouscault (Maiden 2-year-old Colts & Geldings, 1,300m/6.5f), June 14, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Prince A. Faisal

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Nawara Stud Co. Ltd

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

One of the three beginners of this €30,000 maiden race, Sajir (Make Believe) nonetheless started as the favourite. He was also entered the next day at ParisLongchamp in a conditions race contested by four runners and won by a stablemate at André Fabre's, but under Godolphin's colours, who had already started well.

Another stablemate of Sajir's, Mr Fleurant (Invincible Spirit), had also started well, to finish third more than 7 lengths from the promising Beauvatier. In short, André Fabre started well-armed here, and even if Sajir had a little trouble staying in his place around the bend, he dominated at the finish.

Having come off the bend alongside another fancied runner, Stormygo (Goken), who seemed to be going very easily, he continued his effort while his rival suddenly gave up. Gradually moved out, Mr Fleurant finished honourably two lengths ahead of Sabroso (Nathaniel), possibly impeded in his progress at the start of the straight by the trajectory of Mr Fleurant. However, he did not make up ground on him afterwards and finished third at a good length.

We will note in the back the good finish of Une Peinture (Dabirsim), who had missed his start on these debuts.

Sajir's full older brother, a maiden, was sold for £11,000 in May 2022 at Tattersalls. Their dam, Simple Magic (Invincible Spirit), a winner at Wolverhampton on the AWT and Gr3 placed, took the same path in December but was bought back for £50,000, in foal to Dark Angel. Her 3rd dam Hydro Calido (Nureyev) is a sister to Coup de Génie, Machiavellian, Exit to Nowhere, Ocean of Wisdom...

 

DENRUTH DIAMOND (f2), FRA by City Light ex Jeune et Jolie (Verglas)

Prix de la Rablais (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,300m/6.5f), June 14, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Middleham Park Racing CXVI

Trainer: Rod Millman

Breeder: Écurie Skymarc Farm

Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Third then fourth at Windsor, Denruth Diamond (City Light) came all the way from Rod Millman's yard in Devon to dominate this maiden which allows her connections to collect €25,800 with the Frenchbred premiums, evening nearly double the total prize money from her first two races.

Bought for $60,000 at the Arqana October sales, the filly is qualified for the valuable Arqana August and September races.

She travelled here outside the favourite Concertation (Churchill), who held out for a long time before giving up in the last hundred metres, with Denruth Diamond then clearly taking the upper hand with Vive la Reine (Recorder) in her wake at a good length, a neck ahead of Concertation. Her dam, the maiden Jeune et Jolie (Verglas), whose family originates from Japan, was sold in foal to Galiway for €5,000 by Artemis Bloodstock in 2021, and a grey colt was born in Ille-de-Vilaine in April 2022.

 

OLYMPE MANCINI (f2), (IRE) by Toronado ex Hesterya (Kodiac)

Prix Allée d’Amour (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,400m/7f), June 6, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Écurie Castillon Bloodstock, Pierre-Alain Chéreau, Écurie Jeffroy

Trainer: Fabrice Vermeulen

Breeders: Al Shaqab Racing, SCEA des Prairies

Rider: Leo Roussel

An odd race, with fillies held back at the start by their riders, then again in the final stage! The most courageous, but not the least mischievous, Olympe Mancini (Toronado) pulled slightly ahead after her apprentice tried to rein her in. She took a few lengths lead but didn't seem entirely safe, and halfway down the straight, she was overtaken by Alovemine (Expected), who even went past her before idling. Olympe Mancini then regained the lead to win by a neck, but safely, while one and a half lengths behind finished Quendresa (Wootton Bassett), who had previously come by the winner along Alovemine.

Olympe Mancini was bought as a yearling at the Deauville sales for €16,000 by SAS Le Marais, but she is still partly owned by her breeders and Castillon Bloodstock. Her dam left the competition still a maiden in England but had been bought for £260,000 as a yearling, after reaching £255,000 as a foal. The fifth dam is the mother of champion miler Lahib. Hesterya also gave birth to a colt by Mehmas in 2022.

 

ALCANTOR (c2), FRA by New Bay ex Bianca de Medici (Medicean)

Prix Chapeau Rouge (Unraced 2-year-old Colts & Geldings, 1,400m/7f), June 6, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Édouard de Rothschild

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: SCEA du Grand Chêne

Rider: Bauyrzhan Murzabayev

The favourite Alcantor (New Bay) took the lead soon after the start and broke away to win with ease, even when slowed, by two and a half lengths, in front of Bateau Blanc (Kendargent), who was consistently in the lead, and Zryan (Night of Thunder), who followed the movement along the inside.

Alcantor was bought as a weanling for €180,000 by Haras de Meautry at the Deauville breeding sales. His sister by Romanised was then sold as a weanling for €38,000 at the 2022 breeding sales.

Both are out of Bianca de Medici (Medicean), winner of two races and also dam of Boscaccio (Mount Nelson), a Gr2 winner in Germany. Further down the line, is the family of Treve...

 

ZELASQUIN (c2), FRA by Zelzal ex Martre (Pedro the Great)

Prix RMC – Prix d’Orgemont (Unraced 2-year-old Colts & Geldings, 1,100m), June 4, 2023, Chantilly

Owners: Mickaël Marcade, Christian Le Barbey, Adelaide Budka, Aurélien Moyon, Clément Baudry, Gaëtan Marmorat, Valérie Dasque, Myriam Tournay, Sébastien Picard

Trainer: Adelaide Budka

Breeder: Lætitia Louis

Rider: Eddy Hardouin

One this boosted €50,000 beginners race's outsiders, Zelasquin (Zelzal) nonetheless easily ran down this lot without really taking any prisoners. He resolutely took the lead halfway against the rail with Damien (Lethal Force) and Shadizi (Siyouni) at his side, and seemed to lose the lead 2 out but recovered instantly to eventually leave his rivals three lengths behind, the most enterprising being favourite Hantano (Dubawi), who fiercely we hit the front before the going got too tough. Damien stayed on a close third. Adore Blue (Blue Point) looked promising in 5th after gaining a lot of support too.

Zelasquin was bought for merely €6,500 at the Arqana Deauville yearlings sales in September 2022 by his trainer Adelaide Budka. He's the second foal recorded by France Galop out of the unraced Martre (Pedro the Great).

 

DAIQUIBERRY (f2), (IRE) by Al Wukair ex Strawberrydaiquiri (Dansili)

Prix de Malmaison (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,000m/5f), June 1st, 2023, ParisLongchamp

Owners: SARL Groupe KR, Stephen Lahmi

Trainer: Philippe Sogorb

Breeder: Al Shaqab Racing

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Let down by her saddle in the Prix des Rêves d'Or (L) at Vichy after finishing second twice at La Teste-de-Buch then Bordeaux-Le Bouscat, Daiquiberry (Al Wukair) brilliantly opened her account here, running outside the beginner Yollilal (Seabhac) and Loyal Prince (Palace Prince). The favourite dominated in the final furlong, leaving Yollilal two lengths behind while I Wanna Be Likeyou (Bungle Inthejungle) snatched third place from Employ, having recoverd from a serious interference at the start.

Daiquiberry was bought as a yearling for €10,000 at the October Arqana sales by Six Of Us. The filly was consigned by Castillon for Al Shaqab. She is the eighth foal out of Strawberrydaiquiri (Dansili), a Gr2 winner and Gr1 placed who has now produced five winners. The 3-year-old older sister of Daiquiriberry, Zarga (Camelot), has just placed in her fifth attempt, for Al Shaqab and the training of Michael Stoute. A colt by Galileo Gold was born in 2022.