Godolphin rules Prix Exbury

17 March 2019

Godolphin rules Prix Exbury

Photo scoopdyga.com

Godolphin took the first two places in the Prix Exbury (Gr3), the first group race of the French flat program, Sunday at Saint-Cloud. After racing in fourth and sixth place, 5yo gelding Soleil Marin (Kendargent) and 4yo colt Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro), both trained by André Fabre, accelerated progressively to take over their rivals about one furlong out, Soleil Marin finally taking a length and a quarter on his stablemate, three lengths ahead of the 2018 Exbury winner, 10-year-old Air Pilot (Zamindar).

The first two had had a run this season prior to this on the all-weather.

Soleil Marin was bred by Peregrine SAS and began his career under the colors of Mrs André Fabre, Elisabeth. He passed under the Godolphin flag after his third consecutive victory at the beginning of 2017 at age 3 and confirmed in the Prix Noailles (Gr3). he's the second foal out of Sousmarine (Montjeu), a winner of three races for the Wertheimers who was purchased € 150,000 bought at the Arqana breeding sale by agent Tina Rau in 2011. His dam Underwater (Theatrical) finished second in the Prix de Malleret (Gr2). It is also the family of the classic winner and sire Falco (Pivotal).

After Soleil Marin, Sousmarine gave Setsuko (Shamardal) and Sous Les Nuages (Holy Roman Emperor), a 2-year-old colt in training with André Fabre.

Two interesting steps on the way to the French Guineas were also held on Sunday at Saint-Cloud, the Prix Omnium II (L) for 3-year-old colts and geldings, and the Prix La Camargo (L) for fillies.

Shaman (Shamardal) won the former from start to finish, taking off early to prevent any comeback. Bred and owned by Wertheimer & Frère, trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias, Shaman had finished last season on a victory, just the way he started it, but having meanwhile finished 3rd in the Prix des Chênes (Gr3) and fifth in the Prix Jean -Luc Lagardère (Gr1).

Shaman is the 5th foal out of Only Green (Green Desert), a dual Listed race-winner over 7 furlongs and the leader of the champion mare Goldikova in premium races. Her first foal Green Sweet (Smart Strike) also won the Prix Omnium II (L) and was exported to Australia. She also gave 2 other winners, Merikha (Shamardal) and You Alone (Frankel). After Shaman, she gave birth to Cordova, a daughter of Galileo now in training with Christophe Ferland. Only Green is also a sister to Occupandiste (Kaldoun), sire Intello (Galileo)'s 3rd dam.

Fifth and second -beaten by a neck and a half-length- last year on the Chantilly and Deauville all-weather tracks, Tifosa (Kodiac) won for her return, again on the all-weathr at Chantilly . She repeated brilliantly on Sunday at Saint-Cloud in the Prix La Camargo (L), the first skirmish of the classic generation en route to the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr1). For her return on the turf, surface on which she had had to settle for fifth place for her debut, last year at Maisons-Laffitte, the Ecurie des Charmes filly trained by Pia Brandt this time left Jet Setteuse (Makfi), winner at Bouscat and Borély previously, at two lengths.

Tifosa was bought for € 150,000 at Goffs sales in September 2017. Her Lope de Vega brother made £ 150,000 at Tattersalls last October and is reported in training with Saeed bin Suroor. Tifosa is the first foal out of Toquette (Acclamation), who never raced but is a sister to champion Arcano (Oasis Dream), a Darley Prix du Morny (Gr1) winner.