April '19 maiden winners

FLAT

MIDNIGHT SHINE (G3), FRA by Siyouni ex Zaneton (Mtoto)

Prix Cricket Ball (3yo Maiden, 1,200m/6f), April 26, Maisons-Laffitte

Owner : Godolphin
Trainer :  André Fabre
Breeders : Eric Puerari & Oceanic Bloodstock
Rider : Eddy Hardouin

Beaten by Eraidah on April 1st at Chantilly over 6 furlongs, the Godolphin-owned Midnight Shine (Siyouni) avenged himself here on the Maisons-Laffitte straight course, easily beating again Alkawthar (Data Link), who finished 4th for their common debut. Once again, 1 1L2 length separates them while the front-running Dream With You (George Vancouver) finished 3rd another length down.

Midnight Shine was sold € 420,000 at the Arqana October yearlings sale, to Godolphin. He was consigned by his co-breeder Haras des Capucines (Éric Puérari), just like his illustrious sister Zagora (Green Tune), dual Gr1-winner Stateside after winning the Prix Vanteaux (Gr3) and Psyché (Gr3) in France.

Their dam, the unraced Zaneton (Mtoto), has not given birth since Midnight Shine, according to France Galop website.

BAILEYS COURAGE (F2), FRA by Charm Spirit ex Khelwa (Traditionally)

Prix Sylvan (2yo Maiden, 1,000m/5f), April 26, Maisons-Laffitte

Owner: G. R. Bailey Ltd
Trainer: Jean-Vincent Toux
Breeder: Haras des Trois Chapelles
Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

Baileys Courage (Charm Spirit) ran on the middle lane and kept Miss Tiche (Ivawood) in check to score by half a length. It was the latter's 3rd race for her 3rd trainer after two claims.

The gelding Alkaid (Sommerabend) stayed on in third at one length against the stands' rail, leaving the others 5 lengths away.

It was the second attempt of Baileys Courage, ninth on the same distance at Chantilly for his debut after a bad start.

The dam of Baileys Courage, the 12-year-old Khelwa (Traditionally), was bred by the Aga Khan. She was sold in 2013 at Arqana Deauville for € 50,000 to Baileys Feed, owner of the filly today, and in Normandy of the Haras des Trois Chapelles, former Haras du Ma, where Baileys Courage was born. Khelwa won a race and is listed-placed. Her dam is a sister to Khalkevi (Kahyasi), winner of the Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1). Baileys Courage is the last referenced foal out of Khelwa.

ALWAAB (C3), FRA by Toronado ex Lady Gorgeous (Compton Place)

Prix des Fontaines (Unraced 3yo colts & geldings, 1,600m/1m), April 24, Chantilly

Owner: Al Shaqab Racing
Trainer: André Fabre
Breeders: Écurie Haras du Cadran, Enrico Ciampi, Écurie La Boëtie & SAS IEI
Rider: Eddy Hardouin

Supplemented to take part in this 6 unraced horses race, Alwaab (Toronado) was the favourite and he proved to be quite serious to overcome Diyani (Rock of Gibraltar), who had easily taken over the leading Momtathil (Oasis Dream) one furlong out.

The winner was paid € 70,000 as a yearling at the October Arqana sales. His younger Lawman sister was sold for € 55,000 as a weanling last December at the Deauville breeding sales, where his dam fetched € 40,000, in foal to Shalaa. Both were bought by Irish agent Margaret O'Toole. Lady Gorgeous' Rainbow Quest sister is the dam of Qemah (Danehill Dancer), winner of the Coronation Stakes (Gr1) and the Prix Rothschild (Gr1).

REAL APPEAL (C2), (GER) by Sidestep ex Runaway Sparkle (Sin Kiang)

Prix du Soleil de Bretagne (Unraced 2yos, 1,100m/5 1/2f), April 24, Chantilly

Owner: Theresa Marnane
Trainer: Matthieu Palussière
Breeder: Gestüt Kussaburg
Rider: Antoine Hamelin

Supplemented to run here, Real Appeal (Sidestep) was one of the two colts at the start and if he wasn't too keen in the end, leading the pack against the stands' rail, he nonetheless held off  every challenger, namely that of Calle Nevada (Style Vendome), then Enchanting (Invincible Spirit), to finally cross the wire with a short neck to spare over the good finisher It's A Heartache (Holy Roman Emperor), Panda Queen (Exceed and Excel), also supplemented and good finisher, and finally Enchanting.

Con Marnane, whose wife Theresa is the owner of the winner, bought him as a weanling for € 7,500 at Arqana. He's by the Australian sire Sidestep (Exceed and Excel), second in the Golden Slipper (Gr1) in Sydney, the biggest race for 2 year-year-olds in Australia. Sidestep has sired in France but this colt was bred in Germany by Gestüt Kussaburg.

His dam is a winner at Marseilles. She was claimed after a second place in Deauville, in February on the AWT, for € 12,000, that is € 2,000 more than its claiming tag, by Isabelle Corbani.

Before this foal, she gave Miami Sunny (Alhebayeb), beaten twice for the moment.

FOUNT (F3), GB by Frankel ex Ventura (Chester House)

Prix des Grés (Unraced 3yo fillies, 1,600m/1m), April 24, Chantilly

Owner: Khalid Abdullah
Trainer: André Fabre
Breeder: Juddmonte Farms
Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

Outside the leading Fonthill Abbey (Dubawi) all the way, Fount (Frankel) found herself struggling with her stablemate from 2 furlongs out and the two fillies fought each other to the end, Fount keeping a head over the Godolphin filly. Mashael (Dubawi) finished well two lengths behind to deny Roseya (Invincible Spirit) the 3rd place.

Fount was entered in the Prix du Louvre, the class 1 race won two days earlier at ParisLongchamp by classic hope Siyarafina. She is also in the Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) and the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1).

Fount is the fourth foal out of Ventura (Chester House), winner of four Group1s in the United States for Khalid Abdullah, and whose dam, Estala (Be My Guest) won the Prix Isola Bella (L) at Evry. Fount's older sister, At Your Pleasure (War Front) was sold last December at Tattersalls, England for £ 175,000 to Haras d'Etreham.

Main entries : Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1), Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1).

DARIYZA (F3), FRA by Dawn Approach ex Daryakana (Selkirk)

Prix de Chaillot (Unraced 3yo Fillies, 2,100m/10 1/2f), April 22nd, ParisLongchamp

Owner: S.A. Aga Khan
Trainer: Alain de Royer Dupré
Breeder: S. A. Aga Khan
Rider: Christophe Soumillon

First held in the rear trailing the field, Dariyza (Dawn Approach) came by two furlongs out and took over by the post to score by a head, but confidently, over the front-running Hawkamah (New Approach), Sister Midnight (Dark Angel) and Fedya (Mastercraftsman). The winner's connections seem very hopeful with this daughter of Group 1 winner Daryakana (Selkirk), with whom she seems to have some similarities.

Dariyza is the fifth foal out of Daryakana, winner of the Prix de Royallieu (Gr2) and the Hong Kong Vase (Gr1) at 3.

Her first foal is none other than the Prix Ganay (Gr1) and Prix Eugène Adam (Gr2) winner Dariyan (Shamardal), followed by Darabad (Dansili), exported to Australia after winning the Grand Prix de Clairefontaine (L).

After Dariyza, Daryakana gave a Golden Horn filly born in 2017. Her dam Daryaba (Night Shift) had won the Prix de Diane (Gr1) and the Prix Vermeille (Gr1) for the Aga Khan. This family includes the Group 1 winners Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) and Darjina (Zamindar).

Main entries: Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1), Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1).

MONTABOT (G3), FRA by Le Havre ex Salamon (Montjeu)

Prix Juigné (Unraced 3yo colts & geldings, 2,100m/10 1/2f), April 22nd, ParisLongchamp

Owner: Gérard Augustin-Normand
Trainer: Pascal Bary
Breeder: Franklin Finance
Rider: Cristian Demuro

A messy trip for the only gelding of the race, Montabot (Le Havre), also the lightest in the paddock probably: he had to be checked on a few occasions along the rail and to move way outside to place his effort. Aramhes (Kendargent), who had no place to go either, had to push him out a little to find daylight and he seemed to have the job done, but Gerard Augustin-Normand's homebred placed a final acceleration that allowed him to take a short neck on the post. Third-placed Segarelli (Sea the Stars) was the favourite. He had his chance but he could do nothing against the first two, who passed by him a furlong out.

Montabot is the sixth foal out of Salamon (Montjeu), a mare that never raced but was very well bred. She first gave Saane (Le Havre), who was Listed-placed, then other winners, and was sold at Deauville last February at the Arqana sales for € 56,000, in foal to Le Havre. She is 13 years old and is out of Farfala (Linamix), Listed winner and sister to the sire Fragrant Mix (Linamix), the good mare Alpine Rose (Linamix), a Group 1 winner, Fracassant (Linamix), etc.

PSARA (F3), (GB) by Invincible Spirit ex Pacifique (Montjeu)

Prix Rieur (Unraced 3yos, 2,400m), April 15, Maisons-Laffitte

Owners: Écurie d’Authuit, Langlais Bloodstock, Écurie des Monceaux & Écurie Skymarc Farm
Trainer: Henri-François Devin
Breeders: Écurie des Monceaux & Écurie Skymarc Farm
Rider: Alexis Badel

Right behind the leading horses on this 1 1/2 mile contest, Psara (Invincible Spirit) struggled to find her way in the final straight. Her rider collected a three days suspension to have pushed around Sameer (Nathaniel), who was trying to dig inside. Once released though, the filly just took off in a convincing style to leave her opponents trailing five lengths behind at the post.

Her brother Parabellum (Dubawi) also easily won the Prix Rieur in 2017, but it was then a maiden race on the same distance but contested in June at Saint-Cloud ... He had been sold for € 2.6 million at Arqana yearlings sales in 2015 and did not realise the career that could Godolphin, whom he raced for, could expect. He has just been sold for £ 25,000 in Great Britain. As for Psara, she was sold € 250,000 at the same Arqana sales in August 2017 to Langlais Bloodstock (Victor Langlais), a name found again amongst the buyers at the 2018 Arqana Breeding sales next to the purchase, for € 150,000, of Pretty Spirit, who is no other than Persian King's dam! 

For her part, Parabellum and Psara's dam, Pacifique, won the Prix de Lutèce (Gr3) after winning the Prix Madame Jean Couturié (L) for Chryss O'Reilly. Pacifique is a sister to Prudenzia (Dansili), who gave the champions Chicquita (Montjeu) and Magic Wand (Galileo).

Pacifique also gave a Muhaarar filly now two years old.

KING OF TWIST (C3), FRA by Kingsalsa ex Twisting (Pivotal)

Prix de la Nouvelle Piste (Unraced 3yos, nine 1/2f AWT), April 13, Chantilly

Owners: Mrs Christian Wingtans & Nicolas Caullery
Trainer: Nicolas Caullery
Breeder: Mme Christian Wingtans
Rider: Eddy Hardouin

King of Twist (Kingsalsa) fell in the lead soon enough and although he has also been challenged early in the last straight, he never let go to prevail bravely, a short head in front of Fort Templier (Champs Elysees), who didn't start well and returned outside the field to fight to the end.
King of Twist is out of Twisting (Pivotal), winner at Vire and Saint-Malo after failing in 10th for his debut at Chantilly. She was then bought € 16,000 at Arqana sales, in foal to Gold Away. The foal born the following year is Golden Wood (Gold Away), winner of the Grand Prix de la Région Alsace (L) and placed in several Provincial Listed.
Twisting herself is out of Anysheba (Alysheba), who won a single race, a handicap. None of her nine foals got any black-type but her dam Animatrice (Alleged), sister of the great sire Poliglote (Sadler's Wells), won the Prix Malleret (Gr2) after finishing third in the Epsom Oaks (Gr1), before giving birth to Sadler's Flag (Sadler's Wells), winner of the Prix de Royaumont (Gr3) and second in the Prix Malleret (Gr2), and the excellent sire jumping Saddler Maker (Sadler's Wells).
There is no referenced foal for Twisting since the birth of King of Twist.

Main entries : QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1)

ETRURIA (F3), (GB) by Invincible Spirit ex Taranto (Machiavellian)

Prix de la Piste Ronde (Unraced 3yos, 7f AWT), April 13, Chantilly

Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: André Fabre
Breeder: Godolphin
Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Etruria (Invincible Spirit) started as the favourite, probably because she is a sister of the classic contender Territories (Invincible Spirit), winner of a Prix Jean Prat (Gr1) and because she belongs to the Godolphin stable under the care of André Fabre. She trailed the front-running Cantilienne (Captain Marvelous), who gave up in the final stretch, then left Trust Ahead (Dream Ahead) play his card but soon took over and kept three parts of a length on the closing Testa (Acclamation), coming from far behind to beat Darenda (Siyouni) by a nose for the 3rd place.

Taranto (Machiavellian), dam of Etruria and Territories, won her two races at 2 for André Fabre before emigrating to Dubai to join Saeed bin Suroor's stable, but she did not succeed the next season in her two attempts at Listed level in Britain. She is out of Magna Græcia (Warning), winner of a Prix de Barbeville (Gr3), over 3,100 metres, for Sheikh Mohammed and trainer Henri-Alex Pantall.

Etruria is Taranto's latest referenced foal, who also gave Pirandello (Invincible Spirit), a 5-year-old still in training with André Fabre who seems to have some speed.

MATEMATICA (F3), (GER) by Rock of Gibraltar ex Mathématicienne (Galileo)

Prix de la Prairie (Maiden 3yo fillies, 1m), April 8, Chantilly

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère
Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias
Breeders:  Wertheimer&Frère
Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

Beaten by another Wertheimer representative for her debut last year on this course, Matematica (Rock of Gibraltar) then went to take the second place in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac - Fillies Mile (Gr1), only beaten a short neck by Lily's Candle (Style Vendome).

For her return, the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained filly dominated from one end to the other and left Morning Dew (Dabirsim) take the second place a further three lengths down.

She is in all the big races. She belongs to the family of Arc winner Solemia (Poliglote). Her sister Guerrière (Invincible Spirit) was sold for € 420,000 at the Arqana breeding sales in December 2017 to White Birch Farm. She had just had another sister by Maxios, and again a sister by Manduro was born last year.

Main entries: The Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr1), Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1), Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1).

MY LOVE’S PASSION (F2), FRA by Elvstroem ex Amber Two (Cadeaux Genereux)

Prix du Premier Pas (Unraced 2yos, 5f), April 8, Chantilly

Owner: Passion Racing Club
Trainer: Yann Barberot
Breeder: Patrick Chédeville
Rider: Christophe Soumillon

An ideal trip on the frontline for My Love’s Passion (Elstroem) who quickly overcame Crew Dragon (Poet’s Voice), who didn't start well and had to stay out of the field, Ammobaby (Planteur) and a nicely closing Run Like Hell (Holy Roman Emperor).

My Love’s Passion is the 5th foal out of Amber Two (Cadeaux Genereux), a Maisons-Laffitte winner sold last February for € 8,500 to Zied Romdhane, in foal to Bow Creek.

Before her, the dam gave a few winners including three still in training.

MURAIKH (C3), FRA by Toronado ex Plumba (Anabaa)

Prix du Bois Renard (Maiden 3yo colts & geldings, 1m), April 8, Chantilly

Owner: Al Shaqab Racing
Trainer: Henri-François Devin
Breeder: Al Shaqab Racing
Rider: Alexis Badel

4th for her debut last year on this trip, and then 2nd to Moonlightpainter with six lengths to spare on Deauville's fibresand, Muraikh (Toronado) waited behind the leading Fire at Midnight (Siyouni)  early on. Then she went on to tackle Mandaar (Canyon Creek) in the last furlong to win more comfortably than expected, by a neck, Woossett (Wootton Bassett) finishing 3rd four lengths down the field.

Plumba (Anabaa), Muraikh's dam, was paid € 600,000 by Al Shaqab Racing at Arqana Breeding sale in 2013 when Wertheimer & Frère got rid of this sister to Gr1-winning mare Plumania (Anabaa). Plumba herself won a race before going to the sales. Muraikh is her second foal after the unraced filly Bursa (Frankel), born in 2015, along with another Toronado filly born in 2018.

JE NE REGRETTERIEN (F3), (GB) by Galileo ex Prudenzia (Dansili)

Prix Sicarelle (3yo maiden fillies, 1m4f), April 4, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor & Susan Magnier
Trainer: André Fabre
Breeders: Écurie des Monceaux & Écurie Skymarc Farm
Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

Just beaten last year for her debut on this track and over 1m2f, Je Ne Regretterien (Galileo) had to fight to the end to get her revenge for her comeback, over 2,400 meters. She succeeds Pollara, who won this race last season and then went on to win the Prix de Royaumont (Gr2). Indeed, the front-running Burning Victory (Nathaniel) did not give up quickly, and she conceded a short neck in the final strides. Orglandes (Le Havre) finished third two lengths ahead of Bletilla (Galileo), who had her chance by the rail.

Je Ne Regretterien made a splash at the Arqana yearling sales in August 2017 when she made € 950,000. Her dam Prudenzia (Dansili) won the Prix de la Seine (L) before making outstanding success at stud with Chicquita (Montjeu), winner of the Irish Oaks (Gr1) and second in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1), and then with her wonder filly Magic Wand (Galileo), the iron mare, Je Ne Regretterien's full elder sister who won the Ribblesdale Stakes (Gr2), the Prix de Diane of the Royal Ascot meeting, finished  second in the Prix Vermeille (Gr1), the Prix de l'Opera Longines Opera (gr1), the Breeders'Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Gr1) and finally the Pegasus World Cup Turf (Gr1)!

Main entries: Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1), Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1).

SIYARAFINA (F3), FRA by Pivotal ex Siyenica (Azamour)

Prix Parade d’Amour (Unraced 3yo fillies, 1m), April 4, Saint-Cloud

Owner: H. H. Aga Khan
Trainer: Alain de Royer Dupré
Breeder: Haras de S. A. Aga Khan
Rider: Christophe Soumillon

After two defeats, the Aga Khan stable took brilliant revenge with the flash of class produced by Siyarafina (Pivotal), who sprang in the last furlong to woosh by Wishfully (Invincible Spirit) and Entaumry (Dawn Approach), involved in a long duel. Finally, there were two lengths between the gifted daughter of Siyenica (Azamour) and her pursuers, while Villa Marina (Le Havre) finished well to pip the third place at the expense of Entaumry.

The dam of the winner is a sister of the champion sire Siyouni (Pivotal). She won the Prix de Bagatelle (L), also finished third in a Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Gr2). A 2-year-old Invincible Spirit filly is also reported to be in training with Alain de Royer Dupré, and a colt by Golden Horn is to follow.

Main entries : Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1), Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1).

KHAGAN (C3), (IRE) by Le Havre ex Knyazhna (Dubawi)

Prix Amour Drake (3yo maiden colts and geldings, 1m4f), April 4, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: André Fabre
Breeders: Natalia Timoshenko & Yuliya Milovanova
Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

As in the previous race, the Aga Khan representative, in this case, the returning Rayapour (Mastercraftsman), seemed to have done the hardest before being overtaken by the Godolphin team, namely the beginner Khagan (Le Havre), who dominated at the end of this very French sprinting race. Khagan left his rival at three lengths, succeeding an imposing chestnut son of Frankel, Rabdan, who had made a good impression in this maiden last year and ended up winning a Listed at the end of the season.

Khagan is the second foal out of the unraced Knyazhna (Montjeu), who first gave Sacred Life (Siyouni), winner of the Prix Thomas Bryon (Gr3) and a classic feature the next year. The dam was sold by Haras de Montaigu € 700,000 last year at Arqana to the Ecurie des Monceaux. Khagan himself was sold as a yearling in Deauville for € 97,000. Two fillies by Sea the Stars are to follow, including a 2-year-old, declared in training with Saeed bin Suroor, who was bought £ 400,000 in Newmarket last October.

Main entries : QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) et Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1).

MELICERTES (C3), GB by Poet’s Voice ex Neptune’s Bride (Bering)

Prix Pas de Deux (Unraced 3yo colts and geldings, 1m), April 4, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: André Fabre
Breeder: Darley Stud
Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

After waiting on the third row, Melicertes (Poet's Voice) gradually shifted outward and was able to sprint only in the last hundred metres, flashing then to passe the favorite Zarkallani (Invincible Spirit), a son of the champion mare Zarkava, finally beaten by a neck, and even under pressure in the end as Bliss For Ever (Slickly) was closing in.

Melicertes is out of Neptune's Bride (Bering), winner of two Listed races and the Prix Fille de l'Air (Gr3) and second in a Group 2 in Florida for trainer Henri-Alex Pantall. She foaled eight winners before Melicertes, who seems to be the last in the line.

She is herself out of the fast Wedding of the Sea (Blushing Groom), winner of the Prix Ris-Orangis (Gr3) for Darley and dam of Gr2 winner Sea Dart (Diesis).

VELA (G3), FRA by Pedro the Great ex Hideaway Girl (Fasliyev)

Prix Zino (3yo maiden colts and geldings, 7f), April 2, Maisons-Laffitte

Owner: OTI Management
Trainer: André Fabre
Breeder: Michel Monfort
Rider: Hugo Besnier

Hast ahead alongside Scooby Chop (Moss Vale), Vela (Pedro the Great) just held off Brazing (Dabirsim), who kept on going in the last furlong after waiting behind the leaders. Scooby Chop stayed on in 3rd place, four lengths behind.

It was Vela's third race, the second this term after a fifth place at Fontainebleau in a 6 furlongs race where the 2nd was Brazing and the 6th Scooby Chop! Vela didn't start well that time, and he finished full steam ahead, like Brazing, by the way.

Vela is the 5th foal out of Hideaway Girl (Fasliyev), who ran five times in Ireland but never won, although she finished 2nd on three occasions. Vela made € 75,000 at the Arqana October 2017 sale, when consigned by Haras de Grandcamp (Eric Lhermite) and sold to Broadhurst Agency (Laurent Benoît). His dam had already given Sestilio Jet (French Fifteen), a Listed at 2 in Italy and a recent 3rd in the Prix Cor de Chasse (L) at Fontainebleau, and Got Away (American Post), winner of three hurdle races in France, including two at Auteuil, and two chases in Britain since.

Hideaway Girl gave last year a Great Pretender filly at the Haras de Treli, in Brittany, at Michel Monfort's stud farm.

SIMPLICITY (F3), FRA by Casamento ex Sleek Gold (Dansili)

Prix Play It Safe (3yo maiden fillies, 7f), April 2, Maisons-Laffitte

Owners: Alain Jathière & Khalifa Mohammed Al Attiyah
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Breeder: Khalifa Mohammed Al Attiyah
Rider: Cristian Demuro

4th last year of the competitive beginners' Prix des Marettes at Deauville, then twice second at Compiègne and Lyon-Parilly, second again for his comeback this term at Chantilly, Simplicity (Casamento) was then 2nd between Tel Aviv, who won again at an upper level since, and Villa d’Amore, who won the day before this maiden at Chantilly (see below).

Blinkered for the first time after a try with cheekpieces, Simplicity took the lead at the start and never let go. She won by a good length, beating Dream With You (George Vancouver), who left 3rd-placed Morning Basma (Born to Sea) two and a half lengths behind.

Bred by Khalifa Mohammed Al Attiyah, who owns him now with Alain Jathière, Simplicity never went to the sales. Her dam Sleek Gold (Dansili) won in the UK for Jabeer Abdullah. She then gave an Atlantic Waves colt that's still maiden, and Simplicity, and finally a No Nay Never yearling filly.

ERAIDAH (F3), FRA by Toronado ex Al Thakhira (Dubawi)

Prix de la Belle Croix (Unraced 3yos, 6f), April 1st, Chantilly

Owner: Al Shaqab Racing
Trainer: Henri-François Devin
Breeder: Al Shaqab Racing
Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Entered as early as May last year, then again in September, Eraidah (Toronado) dominated her delayed debut over 6 furlongs. Fast behind the front-running Danseur d’Argent (Le Havre), she accelerated in the final furlong and left the gelding Midnight Shine (Siyouni) keep a neck over a closing Mubarmaj (Oasis Dream), also a gelding.

Homebred Eraidah's dam is Al Thakira (Dubawi), a Group 2 winner at 2 in Britain for her second start who was immediately sent over to California to get beat -14th- in the Breeders’Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Gr1)…

She, however, managed to win a Listed event again in Britain in October at 3.

Eraidah is her first foal. A Siyouni 2yo filly and a Le Havre yearling filly were born since then.

SOUND OF VICTORY (C3), IRE by Sea the Stars ex Sakarya (Duke of Marmalade)

Prix du Pont du Roi (3yo maiden colts and geldings, 1m2f), April 1st, Chantilly

Owner: Écurie Jean-Louis Bouchard
Trainer: Pascal Bary
Breeders: Haras du Mont dit Mont & Linacre House
Rider: Maxime Guyon

Beaten a neck by Tel Aviv, who made the news since then when winning the Prix Comrade (Class 2) at Saint-Cloud, last year at Fontainebleau, Sound of Victory (Sea the Stars) started his second season facing Lokaan (Le Havre) again, who he beat last year for their joint debut. The Jean-Louis Bouchard-owned colt left no doubt this time about his abilities as he left his rivals at one and a half-length without being extended. Second-placed Bizerta (Le Havre) finished well also, beating the remainder of the field by two lengths. Third-placed Reliable Son (Reliable Man) was racing for the first time and showed a nice turn of foot after taking his time to find momentum.

Sound of Victory is the second foal out of Sakarya (Duke of Marmalade), who failed four times in the Province for the Wildensteins. He was sold as a weanling for € 70,000 at Goffs in Ireland, and then € 120,000 to Chantilly Bloodstock (Gérard Larrieu) for the écurie Jean-Louis Bouchard, at Deauville in August.

Last November, his Gutaifan weanling brother was unsold at £ 26,000 at Tattersalls. Sakarya is out of Saganeca (Sagace), a Prix de Royallieu (Gr2) winner and the dam of Arc-winner Sagamix (Linamix), Sagacity (Linamix) and Sage et Jolie (Linamix), dam of Sageburg (Johannesburg).

Main entries: QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) et Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1).

VILLA D’AMORE (F3), IRE by Mastercraftsman ex Highest Ever (Galileo)

Prix de Brunehaut (3yo maiden fillies, 1m2f), April 1st, Chantilly

Owners: Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor
Trainer:  André Fabre
Breeder: Highest Ever Syndicate
Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

A straightforward win for the favourite Villa d’Amore (Mastercraftsman) who took off in the last straight after going along the front-running Happy Ending (Rajsaman). She finally left two lengths between her and the 2nd-placed Queen (Kingman), who was coming back after one race last year and took some time to get her stride right, while Ni Chaud Ni Froid (Norse Dancer) finished 3rd another length down the field. Beginner Place Pasdeloup (Motivator) finished quite pleasantly and shared 4th place with Tundra (Nathaniel).

Villa d’Amore had begun her career in a maiden, facing more experienced foes, and still finished 3rd to Platane and Simplicity, who had already run. She must have gained a lot from that first experience.

Highest Ever (Galileo), Villa d’Amore's dam, cost €1m as a yearling at Arqana August 2013, where haras des Monceaux sold her to Michael-Vincent Magnier. She never raced, and Villa d’Amore is her first foal. Highest Ever is very well bred, by Galileo and Alpine Rose (Linamix), a Prix Jean Romanet (Gr1) winner and a sister -amongst others- to the sire Fragrant Mix (Linamix). She also bred a Charm Spirit colt for sale at Deauville Arqana Breeze Up sale in May.

André Fabre trains Villa d’Amore's Zoffanny sister bred by Coolmore Stud.

Main entries: The Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr1), Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1), Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1).

JUMPS

KICK UP (G3), FRA by Martaline ex Kilda (Night Shift)

Prix Wild Monarch – Poulains (3yo Colts and geldings unraced over obstacles, 3,000m/15f Hurdle race), April 17, Auteuil

Owner: Magalen Bryant
Trainer: David Cottin
Breeder: Magalen Bryant
Rider: Geoffrey Ré

Always in the leading group, Kick Up (Martaline) left Iowa Bay (Rip van Winkle) take over in the backstretch but he came back in the final bend to tackle the second last hurdle with Pacha Senam (Masked) Marvel) while Iowa Bay was veering outside despite his rider's efforts. Kick Up, and Pacha found themselves struggling between the last two hurdles, where the former made the difference to win by two and a half lengths on Botox Has (Dream Well), who finished well to take two lengths on Iowa Bay for second place finally.

Kick Up's dam, Kilda (Night Shift) ran for Elisabeth Fabre when she was claimed for € 25,002 after a fifth place in Chantilly. She then joined Tony Clout's yard for Magalen Bryant, ran a few times over hurdles in the Provinces, and debuted victorious chasing at Auteuil at 4, before entering stud. Her third dam was a sister to the great sire Kaldoun ...

Kilda then gave seven foals, of which Kick Up is the sixth, before a filly by Boris de Deauville named Borareigh. Her first foal, Kick On (Poliglote) should not be confused with his namesake, the Charm Spirit colt who won the Felden Stakes (L) the day before Kick Up at Newmarket. This Kick On is ten years old, he is still in training with David Cottin, and he has won nine cross-countries including one Anjou-Loire Challenge (L).

GELBOE DE CHANAY (F3), FRA by Rail Link ex Rose Célèbre (Authorized)

Prix Wild Monarch - Pouliches (3yo fillies unraced over obstacles, 3,000m/15f Hurdle race), April 21, Auteuil

Owners: Franck Amar, David Cottin, Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois & Louis Baudron
Trainer: David Cottin
Breeder: Fabrice Riche
Rider: Jonathan Plouganou

A walk in the park for Gelboe de Chanay (Rail Link) who never left hope to her 4 rivals and won by no less than fourteen lengths! The filly's owned by trotting and racing operator Franck Amar, trainer David Cottin, the master breeder-trainer both in trotting and racing Jean-Pierre Dubois and his also versatile grandson, Louis Baudron.

Gelboe de Chanay, however, was bred in the Ain by Fabrice Riche, who sold her at the Lumet show last July for € 16,000, the price paid by AGB Agency (Antoine Gronfier) ​. Her older brother Eragon de Chanay (Racinger) won five races including four over hurdles in Britain. Their dam Rose Célèbre (Authorized) did not run and she has since given birth to a Tirwanako yearling filly. Between Eragon and Gelboe, she also foaled Fringant de Chanay (Lord du Sud), who ran twice before being exported to the Czech Republic.

The second dam of these siblings, Roseate Wood (Kaldoun), was a Listed-winning sprinter in Germany, and also gave the good Rhenus (Montjeu), winner of a Prix Omnium II (L) at three over the mile.