The June 2024 Maiden Winners

 

OTHERWORDLY (f3), FRA by Siyouni ex Waterlilly (Galileo)

Prix de l’Hermitage (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,600m/1m), June 29, 2024, Chantilly

Owner: Al Asayl France

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Al Asayl France

Rider: Marie Velon

Second to Rock N’Swing, an unlucky contender in this season’s classics, on her debut in October 2023, Otherwordly (Siyouni) did not reappear until the beginning of this month, having been entered in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1). Second on her reappearance at Saint-Cloud over one mile, she completely dominated a field of fourteen maidens this time, finishing nearly two lengths ahead of the other race favourite, Baltic Empress (Kingman), who took time to reach momentum in the home straight.

Always prominent on the outside, Silham (Wootton Bassett) finished a good third, a length behind.

Bred by her owners, Al Asayl France, Otherwordly is the 5th foal out of the unraced Waterlilly (Galileo), a sister to the classic-winning Roderic O’Connor (Galileo) bought for £340,000 as a yearling. Waterlilly also produced the Listed-placed Roystonia (Redoute’s Choice). Her 4-year-old gelding, Le Corsaire (Lope de Vega), a maiden, is up for sale on 3 July at Deauville.

A 2-year-old gelding by Almanzor is also in training with Francis-Henri Graffard. A colt by Persian King was born this year.

 

HAWK POWER (c3), IRE by Gleneagles ex Lyric of Light (Street Cry)

Prix de la Fosse aux Biches (Maiden 3-year-olds, 2,000m/1m2f), June 29, 2024, Chantilly

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Godolphin

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Entered this season in the three major races for 3-year-old colts in France, Hawk Power (Gleneagles) almost missed the top spot again here. Once again trailing in the race, he caught up on the wire with the runaway leader Gattopardo (Dariyan), who had overtaken the pace-setter Magneticqueen (Masar) after racing wide. The Godolphin representative deserved to win after three second places, a third, and a more decisive failure in a handicap.

Bred by his owner, Hawk Power is the 8th foal out of Lyric of Light (Street Cry), a winner of the Fillies' Mile (Gr1) at 2 who hasn't reproduced too well. She was sold by Godolphin at the end of 2023 to Bouttemont Stable for €25,000, in foal to Ghaiyyath.

The second dam produced a Gr1-placed filly by Polish Precedent, Polish Princess, who fared well in New Zealand after being sold as a yearling by Meon Valley Stud, her breeder.

 

RELAXX (f3), FRA by City of Light ex Texalila (Sunday Break)

Prix de la Troublerie (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,400m/7f), June 26, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Stars of Fortune, Ecurie JML Racing, Fletcher Michelet

Trainers: C&Y. Lerner

Breeder: SCEA des Prairies

Rider: Ronan Thomas

While the colts' race won by Silius was slowly run (1'28''7, 10''8 and 11''1 for the final sections with the leaders proving uncatchable), the fillies' maiden was more selective (1'26''4) with a slower sprint (11''3 then 11''5). Relaxx (City of Light) led the race and dominated by three lengths over the favourite Vertical Blue (Mehmas) and the debutant Mahasen (Night of Thunder), who came from the rear.

Relaxx made a pleasing debut five weeks earlier over 6f at Saint-Cloud and confirmed her potential here under a nice ride from Ronan Thomas. She was purchased for €50,000 at the Arqana sales last summer by her astute trainers. Bred by SCEA des Prairies and presented by Haras de Castillon, she is out of a winner at Vichy, herself a daughter of Texalina (Kaldoun), a Gr3 winner unbeaten in three starts at 2, all over a mile.

After Relaxx, the mare produced two colts by Wooded and Texas.

 

SILIUS (c3), (IRE) by Dubawi ex Silasol (Monsun)

Prix de Vineuil (Maiden 2-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,400m/7f), June 26, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Christophe Ferland

Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Bumped at the start but quickly to the front alongside the leader Libyan Pharoah (American Pharoah), Silius (Dubawi) dominated clearly in the end, winning by nearly a length. The six other runners were unable to catch the leading duo. Burn to Shine (Hello Youmzain) made a weak effort in the middle of the track but couldn't sustain it to the post, allowing Inspired Idea (Oasis Dream) to snatch third place by a short neck, 2.5 lengths behind the leaders.

Ninth on his debut three weeks earlier after being badly hampered, Silius made a striking comeback here.

Silasol (Monsun), the dam of the winner, was an early filly with a victory in the Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1) confirmed at 3 with a win in the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) and a third place in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1).

The second dam, Brooklyn’s Storm (Storm Cat), produced black type performer and dam Pollara (Camelot). The third dam, Prix Cléopâtre (Gr3) winner Brooklyn’s Dance (Shirley Heights), is a respected matron who produced Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr1) winner Solemia (Poliglote), Prospect Wells (Sadler’s Wells), and her full brother Prospect Park, totalling six stakes winners.

Maiden winner and runner-up in the Prix du Lys (Gr3), Silawi (Dubawi), full brother to Silius, was sold for €380,000 to Wathnan Racing at the last Arc sale. He went to the Gulf and has recently returned to France.

Sisila (Dansili), born in 2015 and the eldest sibling, was presented at the 2021 breeding sales, where Oceanic Bloodstock acquired her for €180,000 while she was unraced. She already had a winning product, Sitello (Intello), and was in foal to Shaman with a colt sold as a yearling to Jean-Claude Rouget for €50,000 last year at Deauville.

Silasol then produced a colt by Night of Thunder and another by Kingman in the last two seasons.

 

ST ELVIRA (f3), FRA by Ectot ex Virimoon (Doctor Dino)

Prix du Musée Rodin (Maiden 3-years-old Fillies, 1,800m/9f), Juen 20, 2024, ParisLongchamp

Owner: Rennstall Tarantella

Trainer: Andreas Suborics

Breeder: Haras Garmar

Rider: Hugo Boutin

Third on her debut in May at Saint-Cloud with a wide draw, St Elvira (Ectot) finished third in a Listed race prepping for the German Oaks.

Quickly to the front despite her wide draw, she set the pace with the favourite Sailawaywithme (Sea the Stars) on her flank. She kicked early, extending her lead and was never threatened by the strong finish of Villa Castello (Frankel) or Windburn (Toronado), who took time to find room along the rail.

Sailawaywithme finished fourth, two lengths ahead of Amarena Didville (Waldgeist), who seemed outpaced.

St. Elvira was purchased as a yearling by GTM for €17,000 at the Arqana September sale. Her dam, a winner at two, has already produced two winners, including Virimoon Etoile (Elusive City), trained by Charles Gourdain. After St Elvira, Virimoon produced another filly by Ectot born in 2023.

 

GONDOLO (c2), (IRE) by Intello ex Gwendola (Oasis Dream)

Prix Idalie (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,400m/7f), Monday, 17 June 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias

Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Wertheimer's dominance in maidens continued with this 3rd consecutive Parisian maiden win, their 15th win in this category, making it 39 victories this season. This time, the debutant Gondolo (Intello) won comfortably by a length against mostly experienced opponents. The favourite, Paramecium (Romanised), finished second after getting stuck behind Elufan (Gutaifan) and the winner before finally finding space to run with plenty in hand but way too late to affect the result. Gondolo still left a good impression in his debut.

Gondolo is the first foal out of Gwendola (Oasis Dream), a maiden winner on heavy ground at the end of her 3-year-old season and second in a Listed race on the Deauville all-weather track. Gwendola comes from the prolific Gwenseb (Green Tune) line, which includes Group winners like Impassable (Invincible Spirit), Attendu (Acclamation), Spotify (Redoute’s Choice), and Foreign Tune (Invincible Spirit), dam of the good Adhamo (Intello), whose mating was reproduced here. Gwendola has since produced a filly by No Nay Never and a colt by Mehmas.

 

POLYVEGA (f2), (IRE) by Lope de Vega ex Polydream (Oasis Dream)

Prix de la Reine Blanche Longines (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,100m/5.5f), Sunday, 16 June 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias

Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Polyvega (Lope de Vega) won easily, accelerating decisively after following her stablemate, pacesetter Buzy (Night of Thunder). She pulled away quickly from the field, though the favourite, Apollo Fountain (No Nay Never), who had had a slow start, finished strongly to take second place, 2.5 lengths behind, and 3.5 lengths ahead of the game third-placed La Flute (Wootton Bassett).

Polyvega is the second foal out of Polydream (Oasis Dream) after Polyspeed (Frankel), who recently debuted with a fifth-place finish. Polydream subsequently produced two fillies by No Nay Never. Polydream won the Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr1) over 6.5f and was bred by the Écurie des Monceaux, who acquired her dam, Polygreen (Green Tune), in foal with her, for €200,000 at the 2015 Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale.

Polygreen, a double-listed winner over 7f, previously contested the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr1) for the Wertheimer colours and finished seventh. Polygreen's most recent sales offspring, L’Ennemi (Siyouni), sold for €190,000 as a yearling at Arqana and £120,000 as a 2-year-old at Tattersalls to Julie Camacho.

 

NO LUNCH (c3), (IRE) by Dubawi ex Lunch Lady (Shamardal)

Prix Youth (Maiden 3-year-old Colts & geldings, 1,600m/1m), June 11, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias

Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Like in the "Gazala" fillies' race, one runner outclassed the field in this race – No Lunch (Dubawi). Starting from a wide draw in stall 13, he waited in mid-pack before making a decisive move in the home straight, winning by three lengths. Blue Brother (Intello), always well placed behind the leaders, finished second, three and a half lengths ahead of debutants Massimo Meridio (Wootton Bassett), who came from far back, and Shadirwan (Kingman). Lanzelot Gold (Toronado) led the race and finished just behind.

No Lunch made a promising debut with a fifth place over this distance 75 days earlier. He is out of Lunch Lady (Shamardal), also bred by the Wertheimer family. Lunch Lady is a half-sister to champion Solow (Singspiel). She ran twice early in her 3-year-old season and won the Prix Miss Satamixa (L) on her return in December. The following Spring, she placed third in the Prix Edmond Blanc (Gr3) and Prix Bertrand du Breuil Longines (Gr3) at 4. No Lunch is her first foal. She has since produced a 2-year-old by Sea the Stars in training, a colt by Kingman, and a filly by Dubawi, born this year.

 

CI MER (f3), FRA by Siyouni ex Charmey (Motivator)

Prix Gazala (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1m), June 11, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Bloodstock Agency, Sandra Hosselet

Trainer: Yann Barberot

Breeder: Bloodstock Agency

Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Ci Mer (Siyouni) delivered an impressive performance, circling the field of fourteen fillies from her wide draw in stall 14 and winning comfortably. Over two lengths behind, the fight for second was close between Otherworldly (Siyouni), who was always prominent, Modern Era (Starspangledbanner), who came from far back, and Sœur (Saxon Warrior), who was always well placed. They finished in that order, just under a length ahead of a game Gracella (Siyouni).

The winner had debuted with a third-place finish over one mile in October at Deauville. Fifth in her seasonal reappearance over 1m2f at Chantilly on very heavy ground. Next, she finished second over a short 1m2f at Chateaubriant, racing prominently. Her return to the mile on good-to-soft ground, with a trouble-free trip, proved the key.

Ci Mer was unsold at €130,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale by La Motteraye Consignment. Her brother by Dariyan was sold as a foal for €2,000 to Janda Bloodstock. He is now trained by Czech Miroslav Nieslanik, like their elder sibling Chaldero (Morandi), who has won in the Czech Republic but is still seeking his first podium finish in France. Their dam, Charmey (Motivator), was second in the Prix de l’Élevage and is a sister to the good Chiverny (Whipper), a Listed winner. An Intello filly was born in 2023.

 

BRAVO BAY (f2), FRA by New Bay ex Bravaya (Mastercraftsman)

Prix de La Rablais (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,400m/7f), June 11, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Rashit Shaykhutdinov

Trainer: Gianluca Bietolini

Breeder: Rashit Shaykhutdinov

Rider: Théo Bachelot

This one proved more exciting than the colts' maiden in the Prix Château Bouscaut. Pacesetter and favourite, Yoga Master (Persian King), attempted to make all the running, similar to her stablemate Gun of Brixton 35 minutes earlier, but she was narrowly denied as Bravo Bay (New Bay), who had tracked her waiting for an opening, showed great determination to win by a nose. Ring True (Belardo), who had also challenged the favourite earlier in the straight, finished third, ¾ length behind, but did not disgrace herself.

Four lengths back, Key to Victory (Goken) finished well and is worth another look.

Bravo Bay had finished fourth on her debut three weeks earlier over 6 furlongs at the same venue, notably behind Yoga Master, second to Angeal on that day, in a tight finish that also included Ring True, who ended up a promising fifth.

Bravo Bay was unsold at €28,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale by La Motteraye. Her unraced dam Bravaya (Mastercraftsman) is a granddaughter of the esteemed Wertheimer mare Balladeuse. Bravo Bay is her third foal, following Believer (Make Believe), who won his maiden at Cagnes-sur-Mer last winter and finished fourth in the Prix de Croissy to eventual French Derby winner Look de Vega, albeit eight lengths behind. He recently failed in the Italian Derby. A colt by De Treville was born last year. Their eldest sister, Birch Juice (Churchill), was unraced.

 

GUN OF BRIXTON (c2), FRA by Frankel ex Cap Kate (Invincible Spirit)

Prix Château Bouscaut (Maiden 2-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,400m/7f), June 11, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Haras Voltaire

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Haras Voltaire

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Fast ahead, this six runners' maiden favourite, Gun of Brixton (Frankel), led all the way to win comfortably. Challenged early into the straight by Naked Memories (Mehmas), who had followed him, and Lachop (Gutaifan), who came from further back, he pulled away again to win by two lengths ahead of Naked Memories and Prince Aubois (Motivator), who stayed on along the rail. The debutant Inspired Idea (Oasis Dream) ran green here but should do better next time. He finished well, just a short neck behind Prince Aubois.

Second on his debut three weeks earlier on the same course but over 6 furlongs behind Tiego the First, Gun of Brixton was bred by his owner, Thierry Gillier's Haras Voltaire.

The winner was unsold at €200,000 at the Arqana August Yearling Sale by Haras d’Étreham. He is the first - and currently only - registered foal of Cat Kate (Invincible Spirit), who raced only twice at 2 and failed. She is, however, a sister to Derby winner Harzand (Sea the Stars), and her family has also produced Big Rock (Rock of Gibraltar). It's an Aga Khan family, but Cat Kate was bred by Coolmore, who acquired her dam, Hazariya (Xaar), in foal with Cat Kate, for £2m in 2016. Nevertheless, the filly raced under the colours of Haras Voltaire.

 

GOLDEN BELLE (f3), FRA by Martinborough ex Golden Clou (Kendor)

Prix Helissio (Unraced 3-year-olds, 2,400m/1m4f), June 4, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Écurie Bader

Trainer: Mathieu Brasme

Breeder: Écurie Bader

Rider: Augustin Madamet

Initially entered in January and February at Pornichet, Golden Belle (Martinborough) postponed her debut to this Prix Helissio, which she dominated effortlessly. She won by five lengths after racing outside the favourite, the pacesetter Nardaran (Waldgeist). Nardaran also lost second place to Rafferty (Ribchester), who finished well after travelling close to the pace. Hypercore (Inns of Court) also finish from the rear.

Golden Belle is the seventh foal out of Golden Clou (Kendor) and her sixth winner. The mare won just one race, a mile handicap at Longchamp, with an 81lbs rating. She later secured fourth place in the Prix Cléopâtre (Gr3), which was her best attempt to gain black type until her third place in the Grand Prix de la Riviera Côte d’Azur (L) on the all-weather track at Cagnes.

Her best progeny is Golden Witch (Elvstroem), who finished fourth in a Grande Course de Haies de Printemps Hurdle Handicap (Gr3) at Auteuil and was bought for €47,000 by Daniel Cole at the Arqana February sales.

 

ROSA SALVAJE (f2), (IRE) by Maximum Security ex Idle Hour (Malibu Moon)

Prix Allée d’Amour (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,400m/7f), June 4, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Écurie Francky Defossé, Haras de l’Hotellerie, SNIG Élevage, Frédéric Sauque, Christopher Head

Trainer: Christopher Head

Breeder: Yeguada Centurion

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

The race was led at a brisk pace by a keen La Flaminia (Wooded), followed by Hacqueville (Goken), Rosa Salvaje (Maximum Security), and Une Pointure (Dabirsim). The pacesetter eventually dropped back as Une Pointure and Rosa Salvaje took over and fought for the victory. In the end, Rosa Salvaje pulled ahead decisively, winning by a solid two lengths. Vertical Blue (Mehmas) came from the rear with a strong finish (posting the fastest last 3-furlong split in 37’’4 and the fastest last furlong in 11’’8) to secure second place, one length behind the winner.

Rosa Salvaje was purchased for €75,000 by Frédéric Sauque at Arqana. Her dam, Idle Hour (Malibu Moon), a stakes winner in Louisiana, was bought by Yeguada Centurion at Keeneland for $130,000 while in foal to Union Rags. Idle Hour is herself out of Downthedustyroad (Storm and a Half), winner of the La Brea Stakes (Gr1) at three over 7 furlongs in California. Idle Hour also has a Phoenix of Spain yearling filly.

 

ZULU KINGDOM (c2), (IRE) by Ten Sovereigns ex Zindziswa (Smart Strike)

Prix Chapeau Rouge (Unraced 2-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,400m/7f), June 4, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Mrs André Fabre

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Écurie Peregrine

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

It was a pretty good idea here to run close to the pace of this thirteen debutants' field, as an incident prevented the favourite Silius (Dubawi) and the challenger Burn to Shine (Hello Youmzain) from launching their final sprints. The race was initially led by Mr Brightside (Madhmoon), soon overtaken by Zagor (Zarak) and Zulu Kingdom (Ten Sovereigns), who came from the outside starting from the gate 12. Laith (Zelzal) tracked them in the second rank, with Living in Vegas (Goken) alongside. The latter veered off course at the entrance to the straight, nearly bringing down Silius and Burn to Shine. Silius did not persist, but Burn to Shine recovered well to finish fifth. Zulu Kingdom, on the other hand, took command from Zagor and sped to the finish, winning unopposed by over three lengths from Zagor. Ponderado (Mastercraftsman), coming up the inside, finished strongly (his last 3f as fast as the winner's at 37’’4) to narrowly miss second place.

Zulu Kingdom is the third foal out of Zindziswa (Smart Strike), also bred by the Fabres, named after one of Nelson Mandela’s daughters. Zindziswa won two races but failed six times to secure black-type at Listed level over distances between 7 and 10 furlongs. However, she produced Zulu Warrior (Saxon Warrior), who avenged his dam by winning the Prix Turenne (L) over 1m1/2 and was unsold at €230,000 at the Arqana horses-in-training sale last September. Zindziswa also gave Zulu Kingdom and a Magna Grecia yearling colt.

The second dam of Zulu Kingdom is the fast and precocious Zinziberine (Zieten), dam of the good Zanzibari (Smart Strike), winner of the Prix de Cabourg (Gr3), whose mating inspired Zindziswa's. This lineage traces back to a family managed by Jean-Luc Lagardère, featuring Amilynx (Linamix) and Amiwain (Unfuwain), a stayer and a sprinter brothers, both out of the American mare Amen (Alydar), who was bought for $800,000 as a yearling in 1988.

 

ITSATENFROMLEN (c2), GB by Sergei Prokofiev ex Perfect Showdance (Showcasing)

Prix d'Orgemont (Unraced 2-years-old Clots and geldings, 1,100m/5.5f), June 2, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: M D De Sousa & Partner

Trainer: Amy Murphy

Breeder: Mildmay Bloodstock

Rider: Tom Marquand

Quickly taking the lead in this €50,000 beginners' race, which saw three supplemented runners added after only five remained, the British raider Itsatenfromlen (Sergei Prokofiev) dominated from start to finish. However, the finish line couldn’t come soon enough as Mahjong (Galiway), coming up strongly down the centre of the track, ultimately finished just a neck behind. The favourite, Haddaj (Frankel), ran well to finish a good length back in third place.

The winner was sold for £13,000 as a foal, then £30,000, then to Bobby O’Ryan and Richard Fahey ten months later. He is out of a young maiden mare, Perfect Showdance (Showcasing), herself a daughter of Perfect Star (Act One), a Listed winner and the dam of a Group 3 winner, Kilmah (Sepoy), who won at that level as a 2-year-old and was considered good enough to compete in the 1,000 Guineas.