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Psyché History: A 3yo test before the Romanet

29 July 2020

Psyché History: A 3yo test before the Romanet

Photo scoopdyga.com

July-August, Deauville

Prix de Psyché Sky Sports racing


Group 3, 3-year-old fillies, 2,000m/10f, €56,000

Created in 1969

Last winner: Raabihah (f3, USA by Sea the Stars ex Garmoosha, by Kingmambo), owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, bred by Shadwell Stud, trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, ridden by Cristian Demuro.

Course-record: 2’2’’8, Raabihah (2020).

The race is run in 2021 for the 53rd time

The 2020 edition

Saturday, August 1, 2020, Deauville. - A good fourth in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1) after a tricky trip, Raabihah (Sea the Stars) completely dominated the Prix de Psyché Sky Sports Racing (Gr3). The Shadwell Stud-bred and Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned chestnut filly took over the British raiders Arriviste (Sea the Moon) and Run Wild (Amaron) a furlong out and ran on to win by 3.5 lengths on the bit. Granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Epsom Oaks winners, she led home Wangari (Soldier Hollow), who was ridden early but managed to get the upper hand on Arriviste, who was also finally beaten for the third place by a very resolute Alkandora (Nathaniel).

Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, Raabihah had easily won her first two races before the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1), when 4th just half a length behind Fancy Blue, who has since won the Nassau Stakes against the best European fillies and mares.

The trainer has named the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Gr1) and Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr1) as the filly's next races.

 

History

The word “Psyche” has numerous meanings: the personification of the soul, the heroine of a fable by Apuleius, a tragicomic ballet, a mirror and, since 1969, the name given to a race held at Deauville over 10 furlongs for 3-year-old fillies. The conditions have not changed since the creation of this race, which earned Group 3 status in 1980.

The Prix de Psyché winners’ list includes the names of some quite remarkable fillies, such as Popkins (1970), San San (1972, future winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe), Paulista (1974, Prix Vermeille), Sangue (1981), Treizième (1984, Grand Critérium), La Koumia (1985), Darara (1986, Prix Vermeille) and Ashayer (1988, Prix Marcel Boussac).

Foreign horses have enjoyed frequent success in the Prix de Psyché. Popkins (1970), Albany (1971), Sovereign Dona (1980), Zinzara (1982), Invited Guest (1987), Ashayer (1988), Alcando (1989) Danse Royale (1993) & Be My Gal (2014) have all mounted victorious cross-Channel raids, while four overseas successes came from Italy, Bardonecchia (1998), and Germany, with Welluna (1999), Quilanga (2004) and Bourree (2015).

 

Owners

  • Wildenstein Family (5 wins): Paulista (1974), Patia (1977), Agathe (1994), Sangria (1996) for Daniel, Board Meeting (2009) for Écurie Wildenstein.
  • Aga Khan (2 wins): Darara (1986), Vadapolina (2007).
  • Jean-Luc Lagardère (2 wins): Lorymaya (1991), Luna Kya (2001).
  • Martin Schwartz (2 wins): Zagora (2010), Vue Fantastique (2017).
  • Hamdan Al Maktoum (2 wins): Ashayer (1988), Raabihah (2020).

N.B. Queen Elizabeth II won with Albany (1971).


Trainers

  • François Boutin (5 wins): My Great Aunt (1973), Pin Ball (1975), Antrona (1976), Lys River (1978), Lorymaya (1991).
  • André Fabre (5 wins): Agathe (1994), Sangria (1996), Vadapolina (2007), Tasaday (2013).
  • Jean-Claude Rouget (3 wins): Luna Kya (2001), Zagora (2010), Raabihah (2020).
  • Angel Penna (3 wins): San San (1972), Paulista (1974), Patia (1977).
  • Harry Wragg (2 wins): Popkins (1970), Zinzara (1982).
  • Maurice Zilber (2 wins): Sangue (1981), Treizième (1984).
  • Jean-Marie Béguigné (2 wins): Vue Cavalière (1990), Commerçante (2003).
  • Pascal Bary (2 wins): Tenuous (1997), Serisia (2002).
  • Jean de Roualle (2 wins): Hidalguia (2000), Satwa Queen (2005).
  • Fabrice Chappet (2 wins): Léaupartie (2012), Vue Fantastique (2017).
  • Carlos Laffon-Parias (2 wins): Left Hand (2016), Villa Marina (2019).


Riders

  • Yves Saint Martin (4 wins): Paulista (1974), Patia (1977), La Koumia (1985), Darara (1986).
  • Pat Eddery (4 wins): Sovereign Dona (1980), Zinzara (1982), Ashayer (1988), Alcando (1989).
  • Olivier Peslier (4 wins): Agathe (1994), Sangria (1996), Vue Fantastique (2017), Villa Marina (2019).
  • Lester Piggott (3 wins): Popkins (1970), My Great Aunt (1973), Danse Royale (1993).
  • Philippe Paquet (3 wins): Pin Ball (1975), Antrona (1976), Lys River (1978).