€130,000 Qatar Niel: Simca Mille overcomes softer ground

September 11, 2022, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris). – Second in the Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1) behind subsequent Irish Champion Stakes runner-up Onesto (Frankel), Simca Mille (Tamayuz) made a victorious comeback and brilliantly won the €130,000 Qatar Prix Niel (Gr2). While he is not entered in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr1), he should be supplemented by the Haras de la Perelle, who also bred him.

Usually sent in front to lead his races, Simca Mille, ridden by Grégory Benoist, this time waited behind the leaders and came by them about two out to finally extend his lead to almost a length at the post, beating Lassaut (Almanzor), who was tested for the first time over a mile and a half. True Testament (Siyouni) stayed on in third at one length, while Japan Derby winner Do Deuce (Heart's Cry) made an honourable debut. Long held at the rear, he came by to challenge the leaders early in the straight but couldn’t sustain his effort, 105 days after his last race in Japan.

Simca Mille is out of Swertia (Pivotal), twice a winner over 2,400 metres for the same connections. Simca Mille is her first foal, followed by Sadia, a 2-year-old Kodiac filly, also trained by Stéphane Wattel, and a yearling colt by Invincible Spirit.

Simca Mille was unsold at €68,000 at Arqana breeding sales. More recently, last December at Tattersalls breeding sales, Flight to Fancy (Galileo), a winning sister of Swertiain foal to Cracksman, was sold for £10,000 to Westgate Stud.

Swertia comes from an Aga Khan bloodline since the Haras de La Perelle purchased her dam Sanjida (Polish Precedent), a Group-placed sister to the champion Sarafina mare (Saint-Alary/Diane/Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner), before selling her at Arqana in 2013 for €320,000 to Eliza Park International. She was soon exported to Ireland.