29 June 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
The Connolly's RedMills Prix du Bois (Gr3) was to be the scene of a clash between the French Hurricane Ivor (Ivawood), impressing in its debut, and the American Maven (American Pharoah). It did not happen as Fiona Carmichael's Hurricane started badly, and never came back in contention.
On the other hand, Mickael Barzalona immediately put the placid Maven in the lead and he resisted until the end, holding off the consistent Jolie (Power) to score by a head.
Kenlova (Kendargent) did well to finish third at three lengths.
Maven is the first American Pharoah (Pioneerof The Nile) foal to win a Group race. Bred in the USA, he also was to run at Royal Ascot Royal but Wesley Ward, preferred to give up because of the soft ground. The colt had won for his debut as well, but it was on the Aqueduct dirt over 4 1/2 furlongs with one turn.
Maven was unsold at London's Goffs sales, just before the royal meeting, at £ 725,000. He is the first foal out of Richies Party Girl (Any Given Saturday), a winner from a family of horses regularly appearing at Group level in the USA. He was bred by Wesley Ward.