26 October 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
Heading from the start in the Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) on Saturday at Saint-Cloud, the Frenchbred and -trained juvenile Mkfancy (Makfi) fought off every challenge and won by three lengths ahead of two Aidan O'Brien protégés, Arthur's Kingdom (Camelot) and Mythical (Camelot), the latter looking like a potential winner until one furlong out, when he finally gave way and was eventually beaten for 2nd place by his stable mate.
Mkfancy, bred in the Orne by Marbat LLC, the breeding operation of Saudi owner Abdullah Al Maddah, was withdrawn from Arqana sales in October 2018, where he was consigned by Coulonces (Anna Sundström).
His dam Fancy Green (Muhtathir), also bred in France by Abdullah Al Maddah, is a winner at Compiègne; she traces from from the family of champion Wildenstein mares Madelia and Muncie. MkFancy started with a third place in ParisLongchamp over the mile behind Victor Ludorum, future winner of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1), and went on winning over the same distance at Saint-Cloud.
Three Group 3 races were also on the card on Saturday. The Prix Belle de Nuit (Gr3), for fillies and mares over 14 furlongs, went to the William Haggas-trained Monica Sheriff (Lawman), who fought hard to the wire to keep Endorphine (Muhtathir) at less than a length. Also trained in Newmarket by Haggas, Miss O Connor (Roderick O'Connor), a £ 4,000 return from Tattersalls yearlings sale in October 2016, won the Prix Perth (Gr3), a 3+ mile race he led all the way. The Lael Stable representative is now unbeaten in four outings, all this season.
Last Group 3 of the day, the Prix de Flore (Gr3) gave the 4 year old mare Spirit of Nelson (Mount Nelson) the opportunity to show her best turn of foot. Homebred by Jean-Claude Seroul, she accelerated in the last 100 yards to take over 3 year old favourite Mashael (Dubawi). Racing press owner Jean-Claude Seroul recovered Spirit of Pearl (Invincible Spirit) in 2009 for € 62,000 at Goffs sales, where she was bought by Winning Bloodstock (Samuel Blanchard).