10 November 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
L’Autonomie (Blue Bresil) has borne the full weight of the race in the Prix Renaud du Vivier 4yo Hurdle race (Gr1), but she repelled every assault and won the champions' way, by 18 lengths, beating Cotée Sud (Lord du Sud) and Byzance du Berlais (Martaline). Three fillies take the first places in this hurdlers championship, and they all three, at least by 50%, are owned by their breeder.
Homebred by Catherine Coiffier, L'Autonomie won seven times in ten races, all over hurdles so far,a nd at Auteuil, since her debut, in August 2018. This is a first Group 1 for the François Nicolle-trained filly.
One of her most feared rivals, Pic d'Orhy (Turgeon), fell in the back straight while he was well in the race. L'Autonomie had beaten him a year earlier in the Prix Cambacérès 3yo Hurdle race (Gr1) when she finished second to the now-retired Beaumec de Houelle. Since then, Pic d'orhy was exported to Britain, where he's trained by Paul Nicholls.
Another heavy challenger on the cards, Feu Follet (Kapgarde) disappointed again. He won the Summer version of this race, the Prix Alain du Breil Hurdle (Gr1), but doesn't seem to find his marks this season after a few failed attempts over bigger obstacles.
L’Autonomie is out of L’Automne (Kahyasi), winner of a single flat race in 18 attempts and claimed € 12,000 by Catherine Coiffier after finishing seventh for her last public appearance. Her dam L'Authie (Linamix), a sister of the Prix Royal-Oak (Gr1) 3rd Cléty (Sillery), finished third of the Prix Renaud du Vivier Hurdle (Gr1) and notably gave La Canche (Le Havre), a Listed placed over the flat.
After L’Autonomie, L’Automne gave two Diamond Boy colts. The elder, now a gelding, was sold for € 30,000 to John Daniel Moore at Arqana Summer sales last year, and another one was born in the previous year.
Also on Sunday at Auteuil, the Prix Sytaj Chase (Gr3), for 4 and 5yo females, went to Sainte Saône (Saint of Saints). Homebred by Jeannot Andt, shewas trying to score atb that level for the second time after having remained undefeated in her eight first races. Fourth for her first try in a group race, in the Prix Christian de Tredern Hurdle (Gr3), in June at Auteuil, Saint Saone had just finished fourth for her return chasing, after four months off.
Her dam, La Saône (Daliapour) won her last three races at 4 for the same connection, hurdling or chasing at Marseille-Borély, Aix-les-Bains and Vittel. She gave five foals since then, including Saint Chely (Saint of Saints), who has just gegan over Auteuil's hurdle with a 3rd place. La Saone is a sister to Sarre (Freedom Cry), second in a Prix du Muguet (Gr2) over the flat.