July 2020 Maiden winners

SAN ISIDRO (G2), (IRE) by Power ex Olanthia (Zamindar)

Prix de Tancarville (Unraced 2-year-old colts & geldings, 1,400m/7f), July 30, Deauville

Owners: Pauline Duval, Gérard Augustin-Normand, Écurie Monarchic Racing, Marie-France Bertella, Stéphanie Nigge

Trainer: Stéphanie Nigge

Breeder: Darpat France

Rider: Théo Bachelot

A show-off by San Isidro (Power), who led the whole race and took 3.5 lengths in the last furlongs, only pushed away from the small field. He was paid only €8,000 € by his trainer Stéphanie Nigge at the Deauville yearling sales.

Bought for € 11,000 at the Arqana mixed sales after a few claiming races, his dam Olanthia (Zamindar) had won early in her 3yo season and finished 6th in an average Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) for her 3rd race.

San Isidro is her first foal, followed by two Fast Company fillies.

UNVEIL (F2), (IRE) by Showcasing ex Soft Lips (Rahy)

Prix de Lisieux (Unraced 2yo fillies, 1,400m/7f), July 30, Deauville

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias

Breeders: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

After leading the race at a moderate pace (the fillies were 1.6 seconds slower than the Tancarville colts), Unveil (Showcasing) accelerated about one out and kept the favourite Not in Doubt (Sea The Stars) at bay to score by a good length while the 3rd-placed Tour Odéon (Supplicant) finished 2 lengths behind.

Unveil is out of Soft Lips (Rahy), a winner at Deauville who has not yet succeeded at stud. She is, however, out of the good Iron Lips (Iron Mask), a Prix Eclipse (Gr3) winner and the sister to the Classic winner Falco (Pivotal).

Soft Lips has given 5 foals, including a Mastercraftsman filly born in 2019, and the gelding Argentic (Kendargent), a Listed 2nd at 3 at Bordeaux, beating the one D’Bai, recently 2nd in the Prix de la Porte Maillot (Gr3). Argentic, however, is now in the USA, even though he was unsold at €100,000 at the 2017 Arqana Arc sale.

HARAJUKU (F2), IRE by Deep Impact ex Phoenomena (Galileo)

Prix de la Butte Blanche (Maiden 2yo Fillies, 1,400m/7f), July 19, Chantilly

Owner: Flaxman Stables

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Stavros Niarchos

Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

One of the two unraced fillies in this maiden race, Harajuku (Deep Impact) was, however, the most resolute here. Ridden in 3rd position, she took over the front-running Selket (Danon Balade) early in the last straight and was soon safe ahead, winning by 2.2 lengths over Amazing Grace (Protectionist), who came by the field without cover, and Chiri Tsubaki (Siyouni), always close to the leaders. 4th placed Asterella (Olympic Glory) finished well.

Harajuku's dam, Phaenomena (Galileo) is a full sister to the Irish 1,000 Guineas Nightime (Galileo), bought for £700,000 as a yearling in Britain and winner of two races for the Niarchos family in England. She also gave a Lord Kanaloa 4yo colt winner of a Group 2 in Japan.

ALLEZ BARZA (C2), FRA by Dabirsim ex Rosia Bay (Rock of Gibraltar)

Prix du Fossé La Coque (Maiden 2yo Colts & Geldings, 1,400m/7f), July 17, Chantilly

Owner: Écurie Ama.Zingteam

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Tanglin Bloodstock

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Sixth at Lyon-Parilly for his 6f debut, then 3rd at Compiègne over 7 furlongs, always hanging left, Allez Barza (Dabirsim) won out of a dogfight, leading almost all the way, though, holding off Scarface (Dream Ahead), who ran very green, and the unlucky Rapido Presto (Pedro the Great), who has had to shift from one way to another to finally get away from the rail and finish well very close. The favourite Boomerang (Literato) finished OK just behind. The final margins are head, short head and short neck …

Allez Barza was withdrawn at the Osarus yearling sales. he's the 4th foal out of the unraced Rosia Bay (Rock of Gibraltar), dam of two winners still in training, High Proof (Lawman), sold for €3,000 at the Arqana 2019 Autumn Sale, and Rhode Bay (Charm Spirit), but also a Mr Owen colt born in 2020.

MON BEL CANTO (C2), FRA by The Wow Signal ex Monatora (Hector Protector)

Prix de Thimecourt (Unraced 2yo Colts & Gedlings either born, bred or conceived in France, 1,400m/7f), July 17, Chantilly

Owners: Nicolas Saltiel, Jean-Claude Rouget, Écurie Laborde & Henri Glize

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeders: Écurie de la Haie Neuve & SAS Régnier

Rider: Cristian Demuro

A rather easy victory, by two and a half lengths, of My Bel Canto (The Wow Signal), who made way in the middle of the course to take over the front-running Gerrots (Rajsaman), who barely resisted for 2nd place a pleasing Saponaro (Kodiac), who has had a good run behind the leaders by the rail.
The winning colt was sold for € 60,000 under the name Imperial Bere at the August Arqana sales last year by Haras de la Haie Neuve to Jean-Claude Rouget, his trainer. He's out of Monatora (Hector Protector), a winning claimer at 2 and the dam of twelve foals including Hurricane (Hurricane Cat) and Francesco Bere (Peer Gynt), both Listed winners when trained by … Jean-Claude Rouget! They were then exported. After Mon Bel Canto, she also gave birth to a son of Whitecliffsofdover born in 2019.

MONA LISA KLAXON (F2), FRA by Toronado ex Super Eria (Hold That Tiger)

Prix de Valgenceuse (Unraced 2yo Fillies either born, bred or conceived in France, 1,400m/7f), July 17, Chantilly

Owners: Christian Saint-Étienne, Écurie Bartok, Écurie Vivaldi & Alexandre Foulon

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeder: Mandore International Agency

Rider: Cristian Demuro

GRAN GESTE (G3), GER by Lord of England ex Guenea (Sinndar)

Prix du Chemin des Châtaigniers (Maiden 3yos, 3,000m/1m7f), July 17, Chantilly

Owner: Guido-Werner-Hermann Schmitt

Trainer: Waldemar Hickst

Breeder: Christoph Berglar

Rider: Eddy Hardouin

They were 12 to start after two runners were withdrawn and despite his 14 draw, the German-bred Gran Geste (Lord of England) was able to get his position next to the front runner Storm Chaser (Hurricane Run), whom he beat by one and a half-length, leaving the rest of the field at 9 lengths.

Even though he's trained in Germany, Gran Geste had only run in France so far, finishing twice 5th inn June at Dieppe and Strasbourg over 1m4f.

His dam Guenea (Sinndar) is unraced. This is her 4th foal. she also has given a Soldier Hollow colt born in 2018 and sold €26,000 at Arqana as a weanling. Guenea's dam is no other than the great Guadalupe (Monsun), full sister top the champion Getaway, herself a classic performer in Germany and Britain, dam of one Grossen Preis von Baden (Gr1) winner Guignol (Cape Cross)…

CASSIOPEA (F2), FRA by Helmet ex Diva Cattiva (Lujain)

Prix du Jardin Anglais (Maiden 2yos, 1,200m/6f), July 17, Chantilly

Owner: Scuderia Micolo

Trainer: Andrea Marcialis

Breeder: Scuderia Micolo

Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

Eighth on June 10 for her debut, over 7 furlongs at Chantilly, Cassiopea (Helmet) pushed a very promising prospect, Sealiway (Galiway), on the same course nine days later over 6 furlongs. Back in action after a little less than one month, the Scuderia Micolo (Nicola Galli & Maurizio Donzelli) homebred easily defeated her stablemate Sir Maurice (Gutaifan), who had run on the front line along with the front-runner First Folio (Dark Angel), who just held for the third place the beginner Dahiya (Invincible Spirit), who had waited in the rear. Cassiopea, the only filly in the race, had simply followed the two leaders along the rail and came just the way and when she wanted to score by 1.5 lengths.

Her dam Diva Cattiva (Lujain), bred in Britain, is very American in her bloodline, or even South-American since her dam is a sister to a Peruvian Classic performer. She ran 2nd at 2 in the Premio Primi Passi (Gr3) behind Lui Rei, who was on his way to another victory in the Prix Robert Papin (Gr2) at Maisons-Laffitte.

ALMONA (F2), FRA by Siyouni ex Sandy Girl (Footstepsinthesand)

Prix Bend’Or (Unraced 2yos, 1,200m/6F), July 13, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Haras Voltaire

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeder: Jean-Pierre Dubois

Rider: Cristian Demuro-

After travelling in fifth position in this race of six beginners, Almona (Siyouni) came closer in the middle of the course to join the first two, the front-running This Kiss (Siyouni) and La Gioiosa (Myboycharlie), who had waited behind the leading duo. The latter had taken over but she could not completely resist the last challenger, Almona, who beat her by a head. The Kiss remained in third at almost two lengths.

Bred by Jean-Pierre Dubois, Almona was not sold at the Deauville sales at € 145,000. She is the sixth foal and the fifth winner out of Soignée (Dashing Blade), a Listed winner in Germany and dam of the champion mare Stacelita (Monsun), winner of six Group 1 races.
Another Siyouni and Sandy Girl filly was born in 2019.

GELLHORN (F3), GB by Showcasing ex Lady Correspondant (War Front)

Prix de la Plaine de Jouvence (3yo maiden fillies, 1,600m/1m), July 3, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Khalid Abdullah

Trainer: David Smaga

Breeder: Juddmonte Farms

Rider: Alexis Badel

Gellhorn (Showcasing) led the race and was the first to take off in the last straight, winning easily in front of Perle d’Ivoire (Starspangledbanner), who finished well in second for her yearly comeback.

Gellhorn was running her 3rd race after two second places over the mile, behind the good Beauté pour Toi and then Ceinture Noire. Her 2nd dam Fanzine (Cozzene) is a full sister to the sire Mizzen Mast. Her dam Lady Correspondent (War Front) won at 2 and then failed to make it to the top shelf.

TALAP (G3), GB by Kingman ex Tamarind, par Sadler’s Wells)

Prix du Beau Flagueux (3yo maiden colts & geldings, 1,600m/1m), July 3, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Nurlan Bizakov

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Hesmonds Stud

Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Long-held behind the leaders, Talap (Kingman) demolished the field as soon as his rider unleashed him, about one out. He won by 2.5 lengths over a green Moon Dream (Dream Ahead), who finished well from the rear.

Imported from Great Britain last Winter after 5 fruitless races there, Talap had taken two 3rd places over in France since his arrival but he was much better this time.

He had been listed for the Autumn sales at Newmarket but was withdrawn. He's the 7th foal out of Tamarind (Sadler’s Wells), a Group 3 winner at 3, ¾ sister to the good Pharatta (Fairy King), a Prix de Sandringham (Gr3) winner from the family of Technician (Mastercraftsman), winner of the Prix Royal-Oak (Gr1) last season.

After Talap, his dam Tamarind also foaled a Golden Horn filly now aged 2.

ZAYKAVA (F3), FRA by Siyouni ex Zarkava (Zamindar)

Prix du Cochet (Unraced 3yos, 2,000m/10f), July 1^st, Compiègne (instead of Deauville)

Owner: Aga Khan

Trainer: Alain de Royer Dupré

Breeder: Aga Khan

Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Entered in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1), Zaykava (Siyouni), 8th foal out of the great mare Zarkava (Zamindar), is much more backward than his dam but she, however, became her 4th runner and her 4th winner to date. She still had to get rid of a resolute front-runner, Animal Fever (Animal Kingdom), who finally gave in and finished 2^nd at 2.5 lengths, two lengths ahead of Extreme Fast (Le Havre), who was always behind the leading duo.

After Zaykava, Zarkava gave a Sea the Stars colt now 2 and in training with Alain de Royer Dupré, and a Dubawi filly born in 2019.

SLEDGE HAMMER (C2), FRA by Pastorius ex Sing Hallelujah (Big Shuffle)

Prix de Marolles (Unraced 2yo Colts & Geldings, 1,400m/7f), July 1^st, Compiègne (instead of Deauville)

Owner: Mario Hofer

Trainer: Mario Hofer

Breeder: Mario Hofer

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

Fast ahead, Sledge Hammer (Pastorius) was challenged early in the straight by  Scarface (Dream Ahead) and Raiku (Showcasing), who went side by side all the way to the post and eventually couldn’t keep up with the German raider, who stood alone in the last furlong to score by 2 lengths, quite pleasantly, with Scarface holding on for the 2^nd place a neck in front of Raiku. Vazirabad’s brother Vissani (Dariyan) finished well in 4th in front of  Super Super Sonic (Territories), who finished well from the rearguard, looking around.

Sledge Hammer was unsold at €43,000 las year at the Baden-Baden yearlings sale. His dam is a full sister to Smooth Operator (Big Shuffle), champion German 2-year-old and 3-year-old in 2008 and 2009, winner of the Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte (Gr2). She also gave Sound Machine (Pastorius), a Listed-placed at 2 last year, and more recently a Pastorius colt born in 2019.

NOBLE HEIDI (F2), FRA by Intello ex Noble Pensée (Orpen)

Prix de Firfol (Unraced 2yo Fillies, 1,400m/7f), July 1^st, Compiègne (instead of Deauville)

Owner: Manfred Schmelzer

Trainer: Henk Grewe

Breeders : Marc Bridoux & Haras de l’Hôtellerie

Rider: Andrasch Starke

Chitta Katha (Myboycharlie) was pulling hard early on and her rider had to give up and let her take the lead as the favourite Thalie (Rio de la Plate) was travelling on a second row alongside High Lady (Camelot), followed by Noble Heidi (Intello). Going off the bend, Chitta Katha and High Lady stuck to the rail while Thalie was leading the remainder of the field outside towards the stands’ side.

With that rail to lean on, Thalie tried to keep the initiative but she couldn’t hold Noble Heidi, who finally beat her by two lengths with Laddies (Wootton Bassett), who finished well, like the 4^th-placed Denia (Camelot), on the same line, along with High Lady, who had to cross the course to join the group on the stands’ side.

The winner was sold €70,000 at the Baden-Baden yearlings sales by her owner, Manfred Schmelzer. She was consigned there by her co-breeder, the Haras de l’Hôtellerie. Her dam Noble Pensée (Open) went to stud a maiden after 6 races, including a few claimers when she was finally claimed by the Haras de l’Hôtellerie. Her dam was 3^rd in the German 1,000 Guineas (Gr2) and a sister to a German Group 3 winner over the mile.

Noble Heidi has a 34-year-old sister by Makfi in training in Germany but still unraced and a Zarak sister is born in 2019.