The November 2023 maiden winners

 

YOOX (c2), (IRE) by Lope de Vega ex Arcmania (Dansili)

Prix de Montfort (Maiden 2-year-old Colts ans geldings, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), November 29, 2023, Deauville

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias

Breeders: Wertheimer & Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Drama unfolded at the conclusion of the 9.5f maiden at Deauville, where the stewards were called into action, reversing the first two finishers at the post. Yoox (Lope de Vega), twice hampered by Cape Cannon (Siyouni) who had taken the lead midway through the home straight and veered towards the rail where Yoox was making headway, was narrowly beaten by a head. Nevertheless, given that Yoox would likely have won without the interference, he was awarded the victory on the steward's inquiry for his second start, one month after his third-place debut at Saint-Cloud over one mile.

Bred by the Wertheimers, Yoox is out of Arcmania (Dansili), a winner at Clairefontaine at three whose dam is the champion mare Solemia (Poliglote), an Arc de Triomphe winner who subsequently produced five winners, bred to Dansili, Sea the Stars, and Dubawi. Her youngest foal, Internaute (Sea the Stars), has recently debuted with a promising fourth place at Longchamp.

 

MME JOURDAIN (f2), (IRE) by Kodiac ex Palombe (Nathaniel)

Prix de Préaux (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), November 29, 2023, Deauville

Owner: Édouard de Rothschild

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Écurie de Meautry

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

After a runner-up debut in September on the turf at Compiègne and a third place on the 6.5f all-weather track at Deauville six weeks later, Mme Jourdain (Kodiac) gloriously opened her account over 9.5f on this very track. After travelling in 5th, she overpowered the pace-setting and favoured Cornélienne (Golden Horn) in the home stretch, effortlessly galloping away to win by two lengths, with Cornélienne finishing well clear of the other four runners.

Mme Jourdain was bred by her owner, Édouard de Rothschild, who purchased her second dam, Grey Lily (Boreal), out of Ammerland's champion mare, Grey Lilas (Danehill) and thus a sister to the classic winner Golden Lilac (Galileo), for €95,000 through Suprina (Patricia Boutin) at Deauville in 2010. He sold the mare seven years on for €22,000 to Emerald Bloodstock, in foal to Intello, with her subsequent offspring following her way to the sales.

In the meantime, she also produced Palombe (Nathaniel), placed in the Prix de Royallieu (Gr2) over the distance, from whom Mme Jourdain is the first winner. Her brother, Mr Jourdain (Siyouni), retired a maiden, followed by a yearling by Wootton Bassett already in training with André Fabre.

 

WORD’S OUT (f2), IRE by Blue Point ex Voice of Truth (Dubawi)

Prix de la Forêt d’Andaigne (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), November 28, 2023, Deauville

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Godolphin

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

In the final furlongs of the Prix de la Forêt d'Andaigne at Deauville, Tazara (Blue Point) looked set for victory, having made a decisive move after tracking the leader. But, with the finish post in sight, Word's Out (Blue Point) who emerged from the shadow of her rivals. Despite some initial trouble finding a clear run, she unleashed a blistering turn of foot to seize the win by a neck, leaving the favourite Nice Spirit (Invincible Spirit), who had been prominent throughout, two lengths adrift in third.

It was Word's Out's 2nd run, following her debut over a mile on the all-weather at Chantilly a month prior. The dam of the winner, Voice of Truth (Dubawi), a sister to the champion miler Rio de la Plata (Rahy), was sold by Godolphin at Goffs for €35,000 in 2021, in foal to Teofilo—a filly that Godolphin would buy back for €190,000 two years on at the same venue. The full sister to this filly, Eternal Hope (Teofilo), had found success at the Listed level before taking seventh in the Oaks, and later she claimed third in the Alec Head (Gr2) this summer before securing victories at Gr3 and then Gr2 level in New York.

 

VERTBOIS (c2), FRA by Night of Thunder ex Visinada (Sinndar)

Prix de Bagnoles-de-l’Orne (Maiden 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), November 28, 2023, Deauville

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Haras de Beauvoir

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Having previously finished third and fourth, respectively, over the same course just 24 days earlier, Vertbois (Night of Thunder) and Brothers of Lily's (Oasis Dream) met again in a climactic showdown. Vertbois, the punters' choice, did not disappoint. Holding a tactically reserved sixth for most of the race, he surged ahead in the final 150 meters to secure a definitive two-length victory, with Wootton Melody (Wootton Bassett), a debutant, finishing a commendable third, three and a half lengths behind.

Vertbois's third career start, and his second on the all-weather, proved his versatility, differing from his initial turf race over a longer distance. Acquired as a yearling at the Arqana October sales for €90,000 by Stroud-Coleman from Haras de Beauvoir, bred from an Aga Khan's mare, Visinada (Sinndar), Vertbois comes from a distinguished lineage that has also produced a daughter of Romanised sold for €40,000 in Deauville this October to SAS Le Marois and Fabrice Vermeulen. From the storied Lagardère family, this lineage boasts the champion stayer Vazirabad and the accomplished Visorama and Visionary. A Cloth of Stars colt was welcomed into the fold in 2023.

 

ZVAROSHKA (f3), (IRE) by Camelot ex Dachenka (Dansili)

Prix de la Salle Isabelle (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), November 23, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Alain Jathière

Trainer: Stéphane Wattel

Breeder: Dayton Investments Ltd

Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Still boxed 2 out, while Raqeeb (Wootton Bassett) tried to break away from the field, Zvarochka (Camelot) managed to find an opening and then easily overtook the front-runner, who stayed on in second at a length. Recording Angel (Exceed and Excel) finished strongly in 3rd for her eighth attempt, three lengths behind the first two in this field of sixteen soon-to-be 4-year-olds.

Zvarochka made her debut in April with a promising second place in the Prix de Chaillot over 2,100m/1m2.5f. However, she did not reappear until September, finishing fourth and then fifth a month later, over 1m2f. She was the favourite here for her first attempt over a mile.

She is the 3rd winner produced by Dachenka (Dansili), a maiden mare who has since given birth to a Saxon Warrior filly now trained trained by Christopher Head, and a Galiway colt.

 

AL KAMLAH (f2), (IRE) by Shalaa ex Ajayeb (Frankel)

Prix de la Croix Saint-Rieuil (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1m AWT), November 23, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Al Shaqab Racing

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Al Shaqab Racing 

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

After finishing sixth in her June debut over 7 furlongs at Compiègne and being entered in the Prix d’Aumale (Gr3), Al Kamlah (Shalaa) chose to compete in this maiden race against eleven fillies. She impressively led from start to finish, winning by a comfortable three lengths. Close behind her was the first-time runner Intuition (Shalaa), who followed her by the rail since the beginning. Finishing four lengths behind in third place was Koslovka (Blue Point), who raced close to the pace.

Al Kamlah was bred by Al Shaqab Racing, who also owns her. She is the second foal out of Ajayeb (Frankel), who won her race in March at 3 but afterwards struggled to place in the top three in Group races over 1m1/2 and beyond. Al Kamlah's older sibling is a Dark Angel colt, still unraced and sold last July for £58,000 to the ruling family of Bahrain, and before her, a yearling by Sea the Stars. Ajayeb's dam, Harmonious, is a Gr1 winner in the USA.

 

FIRST LOOK (c2), (IRE) by Lope de Vega ex Bilissie (Dansili)

Prix de la Croix Marquet (maiden 2-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m AWT), November 23, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Écurie Ama.Zingteam

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Haras de la Pérelle

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

First Look (Lope de Vega) had started his career with a promising second place on this same course, less than a month earlier. He had finished strongly behind a front-runner. This time, after racing in the front rank of this maiden of five colts, he took off early and managed to keep out of reach of a Siennois (Advertise) who missed by only a head...

First Look is the fourth foal out of the Listed winner Bilissie (Dansili), who also started with a second place in the Prix des Marettes at two and had been entered in the Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1) but did not reappear until the following season. A Listed winner before being unplaced in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas, Gr1), she eventually won her Listed over 1m2f at Chantilly.

Bilissie is out of the fine mare Balladeuse (Singspiel), dam of the classic performer Left Hand, sister to Plumania, etc.

She was sold for 420,000 € in foal to Intello, to Meridian International (Ghislain Bozo). The Haras de la Pérelle, where the mare is now, has since produced three foals, and First Look was sold for 340,000 € to BBA Ireland. After First Look, her second winner, she gave birth to a Night of Thunder colt sold for only 25,000 € last August to broker Hubert Guy) followed by a Zarak colt born in 2023.

 

WURFGEIST (c3), GER by Helmet ex Wurfspiel (Lomitas)

Prix de la Boucle d’en haut (Maiden 3-year-olds, 2,700m/1m5.5f AWT), November 23, 2023, Chantilly

Owners: Angelika Muntwyler, K. Rickenmann

Trainer: Waldemar Hickst

Breeder: Gestüt Fahrhof

Rider: Cristian Demuro

A consistent Wurfgeist (Helmet) made his debut in June 2023 and finished in the top five in five out of six races before this first victory, all in France but all on turf. This was his first time on the all-weather track, however. The trial proved successful, as the colt moved forward after a lap to join the leader and then went on to an easy victory, two lengths ahead of another colt trained in Germany, Sound of Sixties (Manduro).

Born in Germany, Wurfgeist was bought back for 15,000 € as a yearling at Baden-Baden by Gestüt Fahrhof. He is the eleventh foal out of Wurfspiel (Lomitas), a Listed-placed mare at three years old in her native country and also the dam of the good hurdler Whymper (Maxios), winner of the Prix de Maisons-Laffitte 4yo Hurdle (Gr3) at Auteuil this autumn.

The mare, a sister to a German St. Leger winner, has also produced Wake Forest (Sir Percy), a Gr1 winner in the USA, as well as the dam of Wonderment (Camelot), winner of the Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1), and the dam of the Listed winner Wild Park (Shamardal). The 2nd dam Wurfbahn (Frontal) has also given Wurfstaube (Acatenango), the progenitor of Waldgeist, Waldpark, Masked Marvel, etc.

 

DARING PRINCE (c2), (GB) by Zarak ex Darma (Danehill Dancer)

Prix Kantar (Maiden 2-years-old colts and geldings, 2,000m/1m2f), November 17, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Isabelle Corbani

Trainer: Stéphane Wattel

Breeder: Yeguada Centurion SLU

Rider: Morgan Delalande

After finishing sixth in a tumultuous debut at Longchamp, Daring Prince (Zarak) returned with a vengeance, dominating the field in the final quarter-mile. He smartly tracked the leaders before making his decisive move, winning by an impressive six lengths. Mister Gatz (Adlerflug) put in a strong finish to grab second, ahead of the fast-closing Cynic (Magna Grecia) by over two lengths.

Daring Prince is the ninth foal out of Darma (Danehill Dancer), a sister to the classic winner Darsi. Bred by the Aga Khan, Darma's progeny include the Listed-placed Deremah (More than Ready) and Dariyma (City Zip), a Listed winner and Prix Jean Romanet (Gr1) 4th. Sold for €52,000 in foal to Zarak at Deauville in December 2018 to Outsider Bloodstock, Darma, now under Yeguada Centurion, has produced three winners since, including a filly by Frankel born this year. Another foal, Darnava (Stormy Atlantic), was sold for €19,000 at three years of age at Arqana and then for $14,000 at Keeneland, in foal to City of Light, before a recent sale at Keeneland, in foal to Tapwrit, for $2,500.

 

MORNING AIR (f2), FRA by Doctor Dino ex Morning Dust (Invincible Spirit)

Prix Pharsale (Maiden 2-years-old fillies, 2,000m/1m2f), November 17, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Haras de la Pérelle

Trainer: Stéphane Wattel

Breeder: Haras de la Pérelle

Rider: Théo Bachelot

Morning Air was the favourite after finishing sixth in her debut over a mile at Compiègne in late August and then third at Clairefontaine. She seemed to thrive over the longer distance and heavy turf. She made her move 2 furlongs out, swiftly overtaking the leaders Laura Bay (New Bay) and Que Bella (Kendargent), to secure an eight-length victory over Miyalaa (Shalaa). Que Bella held on for third, five lengths ahead of Laura Bay.

The dam of Morning Air, Morning Dust (Invincible Spirit), also trained by Wattel and bred by Haras de la Pérelle, has a modest racing record with a single win at Argentan and handicaps placings. Morning Air is her sixth foal. Unlike most of her siblings, she was not sold at auction, unlike her Kendargent sister, who fetched €72,000 at an Arqana sale last October to Marc-Antoine Berghgracht (MAB Agency). The 3rd dam Mosella (Surumu), also dam of the acclaimed sire Monsun (Königsstuhl) and second dam of the classic winner Brametot (Rajsaman), anchored a rich family including a 2-year-old Breeders' Cup winner and a Prix du Cadran laureate.

 

KIZMAMBO (g3), IRE by Zoustar ex White Bullet (Exceed and Excel)

Prix de la Pigeonnière (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), November 16, 2023, Deauville

Owner: Écurie Griezmann

Trainer: Philippe Decouz

Breeder: China Horse Club International

Rider: Perrine Cheyer

More than a year after his debut in September at Saint-Cloud, finishing 6th over 7 furlongs and following five places, Kizmambo (Zoustar) made his mark on his return after nearly six months off, clinching the victory with an impressive final straight. With 2 furlongs to go, he was still significantly behind while the frontrunner, Sixtus (Al Wukair), had surged ahead. Rose Touch (Wootton Bassett) was still trying to bridge the gap after being caught off-guard - like everyone else - by a surge beginning straight out of the turn. The favourite, French Defense (Anodin), who had two more runs than Kizmambo with ten attempts, came in the same wave as the winner but had to settle for just nudging ahead of a gallant Sixtus in the last strides for 2nd place by a head, a good length behind the winner.

Kizmambo has been purchased twice. As a yearling for £135,000 at Tattersalls, then at two years old by Laurent Benoît for €160,000 at Arqana. His sister by Dark Angel, passed through Goffs last summer, where Joe Foley acquired her for £48,000. The dam herself, White Bullet (Exceed and Excel), is up for sale at Goffs in Ireland, in foal to the stayer Australia.

 

GEORGES VILLE (c2), FRA by Kendargent ex Baileys Parisienne (Makfi)

Prix de la Pommeraie (Unraced 2-year-old Colts and Geldings, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), November 15, 2023, Deauville

Owners: Mrs. Jacques Cygler, Jean-Marie Aubry-Dumand

Trainer: Stéphane Wattel

Breeder: Haras des Trois Chapelles

Rider: Theo Bachelot

After racing wide, Georges Ville (Kendargent) gradually picked up the pace mid-track and caught up with the front-running Wapi (Siyouni), who had taken the lead after a good start alongside Golden Globe (Intello) about a furlong out. The two colts battled it out to the end, and Georges Ville got the upper hand, winning by a head, three and a half lengths ahead of Rapax (Areion), who finished well after travelling at the rear.

Georges Ville was purchased for €25,000 by bloodstock agent Paul Nataf at the Arqana October yearling sales. His dam was sold the following winter for €20,000, in foal to Lawman, to FBA, and the next Dream Ahead yearling colt was sold last October for €7,000 to Marseilles trainer Christophe Escuder.

One must look back to the third dam to find significance as Strawberry Roan (Sadler's Wells) is a sister to Derby winner Generous (Caerleon), to the classic winner Imagine (Sadler's Wells), and she took 3rd place in the Irish 1000 Guineas (Gr1).

 

SURVIE (f2), (IRE) by Churchill ex Sotteville (Le Havre)

Prix de la Cerisaie (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,500m/7.5f AWT), November 15, 2023, Deauville

Owner: Gérard Augustin-Normand

Trainer: Nicolas Clément

Breeder: Franklin Finance

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

After biding her time, Survie (Churchill) made her move mid-track and managed to clinch victory by a short neck over the front-runner Magic Perseverance (Zelzal), who had tried to make an early break. The latter also kept a short neck in front of Zoe (Ten Sovereigns), who had been following close behind from the start, and Flaine (Galiway), always in contention. The favourite Tangara (Siyouni) completely missed her start in this race of fifteen fillies. Her owner, Gérard Augustin-Normand, bred Survie. She is the third foal out of the talented Sotteville, winner of three consecutive races at ages 2 and 3, then of the Derby du Languedoc (L), and also 3rd in the Prix Minerve (Gr3) and the Prix de Royallieu (Gr2). She is the dam of Barfleur (Rajsaman), a handicap mare, and a 3-year-old gelding yet to debut, Saint-Hymer (Olympic Glory). She also has a yearling colt by Mehmas and a filly by Zarak.

 

PRINCE À RIO (c2), FRA by Rio de la Plata ex Arthurs Princess (Monashee Mountain)

Prix du Salon d’Orléans (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,800m/9f AWT), November 14 2023, Chantilly

Owner: EARL de la Belle Aumône

Trainer: Sébastien Jésus

Breeder: EARL de la Belle Aumône

Rider: Eddy Hardouin

Finishing fourth on his debut this summer at Deauville on AW against colts with race experience, Prince à Rio (Rio de la Plata) was notably beaten by Release Me, who won their subsequent meeting on the turf at Compiègne, and at level weights, since both had already run then.

Here, Prince Rio found himself poorly positioned 300 metres out in this mixed field of fifteen starters, the winter maidens traditionally being quite congested… The colt was trapped behind a compact wall of horses, led from practically the start of the last straight by Angel in the Sky (Mekhtaal), who had taken over from the early front runner. The battle raged at the front, and Prince à Rio had to be restrained to find a way out of the field and finally launch his chase one out, completing his task and finishing as fast as the favourite Prometheus (Ectot), who came in between horses to take second place one length from the winner. Angel in the Sky stayed on bravely in third, a length and a half back. Prince à Rio is the 10th and penultimate foal out of Arthurs Princess (Monashee Mountain), who raced 30 times and won three races, reaching a peak career handicap of 70lbs. She has produced six winners before Prince à Rio, but none managed to get some black-type.

 

ON Y CROIT (c2), FRA by City Light ex Romanne (Dr Fong)

Prix Banksee (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,500m/7.5f), November 10, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Jean Bayon, Gérard Augustin-Normand, Joël Boisnard

Trainer: Joël Boisnard

Breeders: Haras d’Haspel, Sandra Delmotte, Yannick Paccou

Rider: Hugo Lebouc

A good third at Clairefontaine three weeks before this meeting, On Y Croit (City Light) had then flanked the field, still very green, and had kept up his effort to the end along the outside rail, perhaps not quite relaxed with a horse in front of him.

Here, he was kept within the field and once again produced a sustained acceleration, started 500 meters out and maintained until the finish line. He thus kept the debutant Glory Wood (Birchwood) at three lengths, the latter having not had the best of runs here, outside of the leaders. He still kept on and took 2nd place by a head in front of Spring Heart (Scissor Kick), who finished well. On her own against the outside rail, Nini Star (Garswood) did well.

John Hammond bought On Y Croit for €80,000 at the Deauville sales, a year after purchasing his older brother Fais-Nous Plaisir (Birchwood) at the same venue for €15,000. Since then, the latter won his debut in the Prix de Montaigu at Deauville, notably beating the good Birr Castle, but although he placed third three months later at Dieppe, he has failed three times this season. Their dam Romanne (Dr Fong) gave a Dariyan filly and a City Light colt after that. She had run 60 times as a racemare and won just once. The 4th dam Rosefinch (Blushing Groom) won the St-Alary (Gr1), but she did not succeed at stud.

 

PARAIBA (f2), FRA by Soldier Hollow ex Pearls or Passion (Monsun)

Prix de la Rocque (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), November 5, 2023, Deauville

Owner: H. H. Cheik Mohammed bin Khalifa al Thani

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Al Shahania Stud

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Co-favourite of the race, Paraiba (Soldier Hollow), passed by the leader and fellow favourite, Aqua Augusta (Lope de Vega), as she was trying to fend off a strong challenge from Birthe (Study of Man). Ultimately, the Al Thani representative left her rivals trailing by three lengths, with Birthe taking a narrow head over Aqua Augusta at the finish.

Private Dining (Lethal Force), who came from the rear, finished well in fourth.

Paraiba is the sixth foal out of Pearls or Passion (Monsun), whose dam is the champion mare Pearly Shells (Efisio). Pearly or Passion won three races at 3 and 4, including a Listed contest over 1m1/2. Subsequently, she was sold for £600,000 and later produced Pelligrina (Soldier Hollow), a Prix de Royaumont (Gr3) winner. She was again presented at the sales, this time at Tattersalls, where she was acquired for £350,000 while in foal to Siyouni. The resulting filly was born in 2022.

 

COLUMBUS (c2), GER by Oasis Dream ex Cribbs Causeway (Rip van Winkle)

Prix de l’Épinay (Unraced 2-year-old Colts and Geldings, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), November 5, 2023, Deauville

Owners: Gregor Baum, Écurie Elag, Meridian International, Écurie Nininoe

Trainer: Christophe Ferland

Breeder: Gestut Brummerhof

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

A thrilling fight unfolded at the finish between Columbus (Oasis Dream), who became the favourite just before the start, and Mia Man (Almanzor). Mia Man seemed to gain the upper hand a hundred yards out but was ultimately surprised by his rival's final burst of speed. Only six colts contested the race, and they practically lined up in the first bend as they approached the back straight. Al Daayen (Zelzal) was then overtaken by the co-favourite Sholto (Shalaa) and O Patrao (Inns of Court). At the same time, on the second row, Moty Marc (Motivator) hugged the rail alongside Al Daayen. Columbus moved outside, showing the way to Mia Man as they exited the turn, with Al Daayen also moving ahead. However, he couldn't withstand the top two's final sprint, leaving him more than two lengths behind.

Columbus was entered as early as September.

Sold as a yearling for €210,000 at the Baden-Baden sales, Columbus was purchased for €65,000 at the Arqana breeze-ups by Meridian International. His dam has achieved Gr3 placings in the UK, and his second dam, Approach (Darshaan), is a sister to the champions Coronet (Dubawi) and Midas Touch (Galileo).

A Too Darn Hot filly is born this Spring.

 

ROUHIYA (f2), FRA by Lope de Vega ex Rondonia (Raven’s Pass)

Prix La Bamba (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), November 4, 2023, Deauville

Owner: S. A. Aga Khan

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: S. A. Aga Khan

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

After finishing third in her debut race over 7 furlongs at Saint-Cloud, where she was long boxed behind a group of fillies and faced rivals who had prior racing experience, Rouhiya (Lope de Vega) finished strongly, narrowly missing out on second place. Entered in the Prix Miesque (Gr3), but ultimately the favourite on her return in this maiden race, albeit over a shorter distance of 6.5 furlongs on Deauville's AW surface, it seemed that she would once again settle for third place one furlong out. The frontrunner, Tazara (Blue Point), and her rival, Cardistry (Invincible Spirit), appeared to have escaped and were fighting for the race. However, the Aga Khan's filly surged past the two leaders to win by an astounding 2.5 lengths. She completed the final section in 11.24 seconds after covering the penultimate furlongs in 10.82 seconds. Both times are the best in the race, and Rouhiya also recorded the fastest last 3 furlongs in 33.83 seconds. For comparison, in the colts' race won an hour earlier by Roshvar (read below), the winner, who also left a strong impression, was only faster than Rouhiya in the 2nd last furlong (10.72 seconds against 10.82 seconds). All other indicators favour the filly, including the total time!

Furthermore, it was evident that the 4th-placed Mme Jourdain (Kodiac) made an impressive late charge, as did the 5th-placed debutante, Nice Spirit (Invincible Spirit). However, the verdict from the tracking data is clear: the fastest was still the elegant Rouhiya.

Rouhiya is out of Rondonia (Raven’s Pass), a winner in her debut at 3, later placed in a Listed race at the end of her 4-year-old season over 1m2f. The older sister to Rouhiya, Rodainah (Le Havre), a winner at Évreux and Pornichet, is entered in the Arqana breeding sales in December.

 

ROSHVAR (c2), FRA by Siyouni ex Roshanara (Sea the Stars)

Prix Nonoalco (Maiden 2-year-old Colts and Geldings, 1,300m/6.5f AWT), November 4, 2023, Deauville

Owner: H. H. Aga Khan

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Haras de S. A. Aga Khan

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

Despite a troubled start and a narrow defeat in his previous outing, Roshvar (Siyouni), the favourite, showed his class here. He had to deal with a loose horse leading the race after unseating his rider at the start. After travelling midfield outside because of his 10 draw, the Aga Khan's homebred demonstrated clear superiority in the final phase, finishing just a length ahead of the pace-setter Harry Bassett (Harry Angel). Vertbois (Night of Thunder) seemed outpaced earlier but managed to secure third place in the final strides, narrowly edging out a brave Brother of Lily's (Oasis Dream).

Roshvar is the fourth foal out of Roshanara (Sea the Stars), a mare known for consistency over 7 to 8 furlongs. He is her second winner, following Rozgar (Exceed and Excel), who was sold for €800,000 at the Arqana Arc Sale after winning the Prix Marchand d'Or (Listed) over 6 furlongs and finishing 6th in the Jean Prat (Gr1). Rozgar has been exported to Saudi Arabia.

The 3-year-old Fastnet Rock maiden sister if in the next Arqana breeding sale... 

 

BAUHINIA RHAPSODY (g3), GB by Siyouni ex Tai Hang Dragon (Tamayuz)

Prix du Bessin (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,900m/9.5f AWT), November 4, 2023, Deauville

Owner: Jean-Vincent Toux

Trainer: Jean-Vincent Toux

Breeder: Rockliffe Stud

Rider: Tony Piccone

One of the more experienced contenders in this catch-up maiden race, Bauhinia Rhapsody (Siyouni) started his career in Great Britain, where he failed to win eight times  spanning distances from 7 to 12 furlongs on both turf and all-weather tracks between September '22 and August '23. He was eventually sold for £1,500 at the Newmarket Sales in September. Under the ownership and training of Jean-Vincent Toux, he made his debut at Fontainebleau, finishing fifth over 1m3f after a six-week hiatus. This time, he travelled in fifth position, staying within striking distance of the favourite, Timetoshine (The Grey Gatsby). When she made her move, going into the final straight, the two contenders found themselves in a tight duel in the last couple of furlongs. In the end, the gelding prevailed by a neck over the filly, four lengths ahead of Miss Supernova (Dabirsim), who had raced near the leader early on.