Maiden winners in March

31 March 2019

Maiden winners in March

Photos scoopdyga.com

FLAT

 

SECRET WALK (F3), IRE by Dansili ex High Heeled (High Chaparral)

Prix Monade (Unraced 3yo fillies, 2 000m), March 30, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Michael Tabor,  Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier
Trainer: André Fabre
Breeder: John Wigan & George Strawbridge
Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

Fast ahead in a field of fourteen beginners, the strong Secret Walk (Dansili) has held off every attack and in particular the most incisive, conducted by Channel (Nathaniel), who has battled all the way to the end. A good finisher, Mutamakina (Nathaniel) took the third place in the dying strides, but three and a half lengths behind the first two, separated by half a length only.

Secret Walk was bought £ 600,000 at the Tattersalls sales in 2016, as a weanling. She is the latest referenced foal out of High Heeled (High Chaparral). Trained by John Gosden in England for George Strawbridge, the mare finished third in the Epsom Oaks (Gr1).

Main entries: The Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr1), Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1), Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1).

 

RUDIMENTAL (C3), FRA by Mastercraftsman ex Russiana (Red Ransom)

Prix Suave Dancer (Unraced 3yo Colts and geldings, 2 000m), March 30, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Écurie Haras du Cadran, Écurie Patrick Klein, Carlos & Yann Lerner
Trainers: Carlos & Yann Lerner
Breeders: Écurie Haras du Cadran, Jean-Louis Burgat & Écurie Patrick Klein
Rider: Grégory Benoist

Fast ahead alongside favourite and front-runner Le Mont (Le Havre), the sculptural Rudimental (Le Havre) took over early in the straight and held on to fend off a closing Ballet Russe (Camelot) only beaten a neck. Le Mont finished third half a length further down.

Rudimental was paid € 60,000 by the Lerners at Arqana October 2017 yearling sale. More recently, in July, his older brother Esteve (Mastercraftsman) was sold for € 445,000 to agent Gérard Larrieu after a Listed win. He's now exported to Qatar. Russiana (Red Ransom), their dam, was, however, sold for a mere € 16,000 to the Lerners in foal to Dream Ahead. Aged 16, she'ed been placed for her breeders, the Wertheimers. She's out of the good Trumbaka (In the Wings), winner of the Prix de Flore (Gr3) and the Prix Corrida (Gr3). She's had a Harzand colt last year.

Main entries: Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1)

 

BRAND NEW DAY (F2), (IRE) by Epaulette ex Blue Saphire (Acclamation)

Prix du Début (Unraced 2yo, 900m), March 30, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Theresa Marnane
Trainer: Matthieu Palussière
Breeder: Con Marnane
Rider: Antoine Hamelin

fast ahead in spite of his outside 11 draw, Brand New Day (Epaulette) repelled every challenger, the last and nastier being Kenway (Galiway), who finally held on to get beat by a neck. Trained by Mattieu Palussière at Maisons-Laffitte for Con & Theresa Marnane, her owners and breeders, always performing outstandingly with their 2yos, Brand New Day is out of Blue Saphire (Acclamation), an unraced mare whose sister Minalisa (Oasis Dream) won a Listed event at Naas. It is also the afmily of July Cup (Gr1) winner Owington (Green Desert).

Brand New Day is a second foial, followed by a Dandy Man filly born in 2018.

 

 

DAVE (C3), FRA by Wootton Bassett ex Dance Toupie (Dansili)

Prix Cadet Roussel (3yo Maiden Colts and geldings, 1m), March 17, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Mrs Georges Sandor
Trainer: Pia Brandt
Breeder: Mathieu Daguzan-Garros
Rider: Maxime Guyon

Well beaten in November and January on Deauville's all-weather track, Dave (Wootton Bassett) avenged himself here over one mile on turf. He ran behind the leaders and took off in the last furlong to leave the favourite Eagle Hunter (Dansili) at 6 lengths. Trentino (Harbour Watch) finished well in third.

Bred in the Southwest by Mathieu Daguzan-Garros, Dave was sold € 16,000 to his owner Georges Sandor at Arqana October yearling sales. His War Command brother was sold last August at the same venue, also consigned by Haras des Granges, for € 35,000 € to bloodstock agent Hubert Guy. The colt is now 2 and in training with Fabrice Chappet for owners Antoine Gilibert, Benoît Chalmel and Fabrice Chappet. A Dabirsim filly was foaled last year.

Dance Toupie (Dansili), Dave's dam, ran only once. She's out of the good Toupie (Intikhab), a Prix d’Arenberg (Gr2) winner at 2 later 2nd in the French 1,000 Guineas. Exported to Japan, she's already foaled two group winners there …

 

EXCELLENCY (F3), FRA by Sea the Stars ex Twyla Tharp (Sadler’s Wells)

Prix Calandria (3yo Maiden Fillies, 1m), March 17, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Al Shaqab Racing
Trainer: Henri-François Devin
Breeder: Al Shaqab Racing
Rider: Alexis Badel

Fifth for her debut last July at Maisons-Laffitte, Excellency (Sea the Stars) wasn't seen again until now. She, however, proved to be very resolute to hold on to the end for this mile race after following the front-running Frame (Maxios) until half-stretch. Alexis Badel had to find the gap inside to take over and keep the closing Gwendola (Oasis Dream) and Suquitho (Authorized) in check.

The winner is a sister to the champion mare The Fugue (Dansili), winner of 4 Gr1s in Ireland and Britain including the Irish Champion Stakes (Gr1). Their dam Twyla Tharp (Sadler’s Wells) was sold at Newmarket for £1.7m at 10 years old, at the end of The Fugue's 3yo season, to Mandore International (Nicolas de Watrigant) for Al Shaqab, who bred Excellency four years later.

A Shalaa filly was bred in 2018.


CASTLE LADY (F3), IRE by Shamardal ex Windsor County (Elusive Quality)

Prix du Soissonnais (3yo Unraced Fillies, AW 1m), March 14, Chantilly

Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Henri-Alex Pantall
Breeder: Godolphin
Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

A clean victory for Castle Lady (Shamardal) who left her best rival Red Curry (Denon) 3 1/2 lengths behind after galloping by the front runner all the way.

She's the second foal out of Windsor County (Elusive Quality) after Top Score (Hard Spun), 2nd to Limato in a Listed 6f event at Newmarket.

Castle Lady's 2nd dam Ascutney (Lord at War) gave Raven’s Pass (Elusive Quality), winner of the Breeders’Cup Classic (Gr1) and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Gr1) for Princess Haya of Jordan…

 

SINGSTREET (G3), FRA by Evasive ex Sinnderrelle (Sinndar)

Prix du Beauvaisis (3yo Unraced Colts and geldings, AW 1m), March 14, Chantilly

Owners: Écurie Noël Forgeard, Myriam Bollack-Badel, Pierre Monnier
Trainer: Myriam Bollack-Badel
Breeders: Noël Forgeard, Myriam Bollack-Badel, Pierre Lamy
Rider: Alexis Badel

Rain and fog prevailed on that day at Chantilly but Singstreet (Evasive) shone in that race to score by 2 1/2 lengths after following the leaders. The 2nd-placed Bizerta (Le Havre), on the contrary, came from far away to finish well.

Singstreet is a gelding. He's the 2nd foal out of the maiden mare Sinnderelle (Sinndar), who used to race for owner Antoine Gilibert but had also been co-bred by trainer Myriam Bollack-Badel, who now trains her gelding. A Muhtathir filly was born in 2017.

Sinnderelle herself is out of Summer Wave (King’s Best), a maiden filly who gave 2 winners already, and whose dam Asfurah (Dayjur) finished 2nd in the Phoenix Stakes (Gr1).

 

FLOP SHOT (C3), (IRE) by New Approach ex Dancequest (Dansili)

Prix Tandem (3yo Maiden Colts and geldings, AW 1m1f), March 12, Chantilly

Owners: Wertheimer & Frère
Trainer: André Fabre
Breeders: Wertheimer & Frère
Rider: Maxime Guyon

Third for his debut in October at Maisons-Laffitte over a short mile, then 2nd at Clairefontaine over the mile three weeks later, Flop Shot (New Approach) finally won over 9 furlongs for his comeback, fighting off the front-running Mandaar (Canyon Creek), beaten a length as a fast-finishing Truco (Sepoy) finished 3rd, beaten a neck.

Homebred by the Wertheimers, Flop Shot is the first foal out of Dancequest (Dansili), who later gave a Camelot colt in training with André Fabre and an Australia colt. Dancequest won once and finished 3rd over 2,100m in the Prix de Liancourt (L) at 3. She's a sister to Balladeuse (Singspiel), winner of the Prix de Royallieu (Gr2), and the dam of Left Hand (Dubawi), winner of the Prix Vermeille (Gr1), also Plumania (Anabaa), winner of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Gr1).

Main entries : Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1).

 

PLATANE (F3), (GB) by Le Havre ex Modestie (Nayef)

Prix Talweg (3yo Maiden Fillies, AW 1m1f), March 12, Chantilly

Owners: Wertheimer & Frère
Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias
Breeders: Wertheimer & Frère
Rider: Maxime Guyon

A good third for her greenish debut in October on Deauville turf, Platane (Le Havre) seemed more focused here and he won from pillar to post , beating amongst others Sadiqa, 5th this time although she finished 2nd a few lengths back when they met last year.

Platane was homebred by Wertheimer & Frère. She's the 2nd foal out of Modestie (Nayef), sold €240,000 at the Arqana December sale last year to agent Gérard Larrieu. It is a very good family as Modestie's dam, Gold Round (Caerleon), won the Prix Cléopâtre (Gr3), foaled the Prix du Lys (Gr3) winner Goldwaki (Dalakhani), and she's a sister to champion mare Goldikova (Anabaa), Galikova (Galileo) and the promising sire Anodin (Anabaa).

Modestie gave a Cacique filly after Platane, and she was in foal to Attendu when sold last Winter.

Main entries : Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1), Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1).

 

CHACARANDA (F3), FRA by Linngari ex Superstition (Kutub)

Prix de la Serpentine (3yo Unraced Fillies, AW 1m1 1/2f), March 8, Chantilly

Owner: Plersch Breeding
Trainer: Pia Brandt
Breeder: Plersch Breeding
Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

A strong win by Chacaranada (Linngari) who had to fight hard to take over Henley Hill (Dansili) one furlong out and started again when Elle M'A Souri (Olympic Glory) came by in the dying stages. The Rupert Plersch homebred filly won by half a length. She's the 4th foal out of Superstition (Kutub), and also the fourth by Linngari. The mare won a Listed in Italy and was Group placed a few times in France and in Germany, including a 3rd place in the Grand Prix de Berlin (Gr1) for trainer Markus Klug.

After Chacaranda, Superstition gave an Olympic Glory filly now trained by Fabrice Chappet, and an Elvstroem colt born in 2018. The dam went twice to the sales but was twice unsold, at € 140,000 in 2011, then at € 42,000 in 2017. On both occasions, she was consigned by the Haras du Petit Tellier.

 

MOTAMARRIS (C3), IRE by Le Havre ex Thamarat (Anabaa)

Prix de la Traversière (3yo Unraced Colts and geldings, AW 1m1 1/2f), March 8, Chantilly

Owner: Hamdan Al Maktoum
Trainer: Freddy Head
Breeder: Shadwell Estate
Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

A strong display led to Motamarris (Le Havre) opening victory, beating the lot by 7 lengths in a canter.

Homebred by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, Motamarris is the 7th foal out of Thamarat (Anabaa), who'd been 3rd for her debut in the Prix Yacowlef (L). She also gave Listed-placed Riqa (Dubawi), and she is also a sister to the sire Tamayuz (Nayef), a Prix Jacques le Marois (Gr1) winner. Motamarris's 4th dam is no other than Allegretta, the dam of Urban Sea, dam of Galileo and Sea the Stars, probably the best mare in the last 30 years.

After Motamarris, Thamarat gave an Invincible Spirit colt named Sharib who's now 2 and in training with François Rohaut.

Main entries : Qipco Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1).

 

LAST EDITION (F3), FRA by Kendargent ex Apperella (Rainbow Quest)

Prix de Saint-Valéry (3yo Maiden Fillies, AW 7 1/2 f), March 2, Chantilly

Owner: Moussa Mbacke
Trainer: André Fabre
Breeder: Moussa Mbacke
Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

4th last year for her Clairefontaine debut in a maiden behind the three fillies in the race who'd already had a start, Last Edition (Kendargent) failed after that at Pornichet on the all-weather, being very unlucky that day, locked in all the way to the post. This time, however, for her seasonal return, she left no chance to her rivals. She waited a bit within the field and moved in the last furlong to score easily by 2 1/2 lengths.

Last Edition is owned by her breeder Moussa Mbacke, who bought her dam Apperella (Rainbow Quest) for € 24,000 € at the Arqana breeding sales in 2013 through Broadhurst Agency (Laurent Benoît). Her breeder Haras de la Pérelle is the previous owner, and she'd given them the good Afya (Oasis Dream), a Listed-placed and dam of 5 individual winners to date. But her best foal, the grey Limited Edition (Kendargent), was born after that in 2014 for Moussa Mbacke, and she was twice placed at Group 3 level with trainer Elie Lellouche, who bought her back at the breeding sales in 17 for € 195,000.

Apperella since then gave a Rajsaman filly now 2-years-old.

 

MOONLIGHTPAINTER (C3), FRA by Invincible Spirit ex Pilageya (New Approach)

Prix de Bacqueville (3yo Maiden Colts and geldings, AW 7 1/2 f), March 2, Chantilly

Owners: Écurie Jean-Louis Tepper, Écurie des Charmes & Martin Schwartz Racing
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Breeders: Viktor Timoshenko & Andriy Milovanov
Rider: Coralie Pacault

Three times 4th between his debut, in July last year over 5 furlongs, and his last race at 2 over 7 furlongs, Moonlighpainter (Invincible Spirit) is now off the mark thanks to female-rider Coralie Pacault (and her 3Lbs allowance). Galloping in 5th position behind the leading four, he was slowly moved to the centre of the track and took over Muraikh (Toronado), who challenged him all the way down, the two colts leaving the field at six lengths.

Moonlighpainter was bred by Viktor Timoshenko and Andriy Milovanov, who sold him with Haras de Montaigu for € 180,000 to Jean-Claude Rouget, at the Arqana August sales in 2017. This is the family of Peintre Célèbre as Pilageya (New Approach), Moonlighpainter's dam, who never raced, is out of Pine Chip (Nureyev), a full sister to the winner of the Jockey Club and the Arc in 1997 for his breeders, the Wildensteins.

Pilageya was sold as a weanling in England for £ 300,000 to Meridian International (Ghislain Bozo) by Max Ervine, her breeder since he bought her dam three years earlier for £ 90,000.

Pilageya gave after Moonlighpainter two colts by Le Havre and Invincible Spirit.

 

PRINCESS ISLA (F3), (GB) by Frankel ex Peinture Abstraite (HolyRomanEmperor)

Prix du Val-de-Reuil (3yo Maiden Fillies, AW 1m 1 1/2f), March 1st, Deauville

Owner : George Baker
Trainer : Jean-Claude Rouget
Breeder : Dayton Investments Ltd
Rider : Hugo Journiac

Well beaten for her debut in September 2018 at Bordeaux, Princess Isla (Frankel) was entered again twice at 2 but didn't run again. She was making her seasonal comeback here over the all-weather track. Along the front-runner most of the way, she took off early on in the straight and held off every challenger, most notably Krunch (Sea the Stars), who ran a bit green only a month after her debut. Only 3/4 of a length separated them in the end.

Princess Isla was paid € 420,000 at the 2017 Arqana August sales. She was consigned by Coulonces Sales (Anna Sundstrom), but she was bred by Dayton Investment, that is the Wildenstein family. Her dam Peinture Abstraite (Holy Roman Emperor) was Group-placed and she's a sister to the champion Peintre Célèbre (Nureyev). However, Peinture Abstraite was unsold at Tattersalls in December, in foal to Kingman, at £ 100,000 …

 

AL ARESH (C3), FRA by Footstepsinthesand ex Itasca (Dylan Thomas)

Prix d’Aurigny (3yo Unraced Colts and geldings, AW 7 1/2 f), March 1st, Deauville

Owner: Al Shaqab Racing
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Breeder: Succession de Moratalla
Rider: Pierre-Charles Boudot

Al Aresh (Footstepsinthesand) was brave enough for this debut and he went along the leader all the way, accelerated early in the straight and held off Air Dance (So You Think)'s challenge to score by a short neck, but cosily enough. Air Dance loomed as if he was full of pace but eventually crashed continually on this newborn rock.

Al Aresh was bred by Marquesa de Moratalla. He was sold as a yearling at the 2017 Arqana August sale by The Channel consignment for € 47,000 to George Mullins, who sold him again at the breeze-ups nine months later at Deauville, for € 220,000 € this time, to Al Shaqab Racing.

His dam Itasca (Dylan Thomas), who failed to win in three attempts, was herself sold in December, in foal to No Nay Never, to Margaret O’Toole for € 77,000. She had meanwhile given a Toronado filly.

Itasca is out of Lune Rouge (Unfuwain), which makes her a sister to Ask for the Moon (Dr Fong), winner of the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) and the dam of an Epsom Derby (Gr1) 3rd, Astrology (Galileo).

Main entries : The Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Gr1), Qipco Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1).

 

JUSTFIRSTLADY (F3), (IRE) by Siyouni ex Just Little (Grand Slam)

Prix d’Alderney (3yo Unraced Fillies, AW 7 1/2 f), March 1st, Deauville

Owners: Écurie Jean-Louis Tepper & Gérard Augustin-Normand
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Breeders: Oceanic Bloodstock & Ariane Gravereaux
Rider: Coralie Pacault

A very convincing win for Justfirstlady (Siyouni) who waited long enough in the rear and went in the last furlongs put the field to rest. Elegant Light (Teofilo) finished in 2nd position 3 1/2 lengths behind.

Justfirstlady was sold € 150,000 as a yearling at Arqana October sale to Jean-Claude Rouget. Her Lope de Vega brother was sold € 120,000 last year at the same session, to Lars Kelp. Their dam Just Little (Grand Slam) won the Prix La Camargo (L) and the Prix Vanteaux (Gr3), tow early classic prep races, for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, first for trotting trainer and famed horseman Jean-Pierre Dubois, then for Edmund Gann, who bought her before her black-type spree. She was sold again by the American owner at Deauville for € 265,000 to Anthony Stroud.

Since then, she gave Justwantacontact (Rock of Gibraltar), her first foal, exported to Australia after winning four races including a Toulouse Listed, and more recently Naturally High (Camelot), a winner of the Prix de Suresnes (L). Her last recorded foal is a Kendargent filly.

Main entries : The Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr1), Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1).

 

HODENG (C3), IRE by Cape Cross ex Seasons (Dubai Destination)

Prix du Vaudreuil (3yo Maiden Colts and geldings, AW 1m 1 1/2f), March 1st, Deauville

Owners: Gérard Augustin-Normand & Écurie Jean-Louis Tepper
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Breeders: Peter, S. & J. Jones
Rider: Cristian Demuro

Eighth in August in Deauville in the Prix de Crèvecoeur, Hodeng (Cape Cross) came back in December only, over the all-weather this time, and finished 2nd with the allowance of female rider Coralie Pacault, beaten only a neck by stablemate Incitatus (Anodin). Ridden closer to the pace for his third attempt, facing only 5 rivals, he had to fight hard to keep a head in front of Plateado (Rio de la Plata) and Colsen (Shamardal).

Hodeng was sold a first time as a weanling for € 40,000 in Ireland to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock before going back to the sales at Newmarket the following year. He was sold then for £ 75,000 to Royal Amber. He's now owned by Gérard Augustin-Normand and Ecurie Jean-Louis Tepper, two faithful owners of Jean-Claude Rouget.

His dam Seasons (Dubai Destination) was bred by Darley. She won once over Deauville's all-weather track. Hodeng is her second foal. She herself is out of Silent Honor (Sunday Silence), a Group2 winner at Newmarket whose family traces back to the great Miesque.

 

OBSTACLE

 

MISTERENRIQUE (C3), FRA by Enrique ex Miss Lordy (Sassanian)

Prix Grandak (3yo Beginners, Colts & geldings, Hurdle, 3,000m), March 31, Auteuil

Owner: Mme Patrick Papot
Trainer:  Patrick Raussin
Breeder:  Haras du Hoguenet
Rider: Antoine Coupu

The only entire colt in the race, Papot family's Misterenrique (Enrique) came by in the back straight and took over going off the bend, followed by front-runner Ker Arion (Falco) and by effective jumper Kerfany (Martaline), who followed roughly the same timing than his. In the end, however, Misterenrique held on and kept a neck over Kerfany while 2 1/2 lengths behind, Fix At All (No Risk At All) finished well to grab the 3rd place under Harold du Berlais (Saint des Saints)'s nose.

Misterenrique is the 5th foal out of Miss Lordy (Sassanian), three times a winner in the provinces over hurdles and fences aliken for owner Yvon Baudouin and trainer Guillaume Macaire. She alos gave Alix Pretty (Le Fou) and La Valentine (Shakespearean), as versatile and effective as thei dam. Since Misterenrique, Miss Lordy gave the gelding Sans Tabou (Montmartre) and the filly Miss Licorne (Manatee).

 

ROCKNICARA (F3), FRA by Nicaron ex Rocklina (Martaline)

Prix Géographie (3yo Beginners, Fillies, Hurdle, 3,000m), March 31, Auteuil

Owners: Jacques Bisson, A.-S. & D. Allard, Joël Germain et Marc Druyer
Trainer: Gabriel Leenders
Breeders: Laurence Gagneux & Mélanie Pezavent
Rider: Clément Lefebvre

Patiently ridden along the rail, Rocknicara (Nicaron) made her move after the last bend and joined the pretenders, Line Brazil (Blue Brésil), Goutte de Thaix (Masked Marvel), Punta Prima (Saint des Saints) and the favourite Marvel Fan (Masked Marvel) to jump the two last hurdles. After the last, however, only Punta Prima and she were still in the race for victory and although she never let go, Goutte de Thaix had to concede a short-head, 3rd-placed Marvel Fan finishing six lengths behind.

Trained by Gabriel Leenders, Rocknicara is the first foal out of Rocklina (Martaline), who couldn't win in 4 atempts including three over obstacles at Auteuil and Enghien. She herself was out of Rochelaurel (Rochesson), a winner at Auteuil over hurdles and fences alike, for owner Jean-Marc Baudrelle and trainer Yannick Fouin. Yet she never gave a winner at stud.

 

ATERISK (F3), FRA by No Risk At All ex Aspolina (Trempolino)

Prix Auricula (3yo Beginners, Fillies, 1m7f Hurdle race), March 16, Auteuil

Owners: Mme Francis Montauban & Palmyr Racing
Trainer: Guillaume Macaire
Breeders: Erick Bec de la Motte & François-Marie Cottin
Rider: Bertrand Lestrade

The race ended in a duel between Aterisk (No Risk At All) and J'Halucele (Martaline). The stewards held an inquiry as the former leaned on her rival in the run-in but the result stood. Third-placed Grakownia (Barastraight) finished about twelve lengths behind the first two fillies.

Aterisk is trained by Guillaume Macaire for Francis Montauban and Palmyr Racing. She was bought 20 000 € at Arqana summer sales last July where she was consigned by the Ludovic Picard’s Haras de Cordelles. The filly was bred by Erick Bec de la Motte and François-Marie Cottin. Her dam Aspolina (Trempolino), bred by the Moussac’s Haras de Mézeray, won over hurdles at Auteuil and her bloodline comes from Brazil. She is also a sister of Astonville (Top City), winner of Grand Steeple-Chase d'Enghien (Gr2).

 

AL CUARTO (G3), FRA by Nicaron ex Vie Ta Vie (Villez)

Prix Rush (3yo Beginners, Colts and geldings, 1m7f Hurdle race), March 16, Auteuil

Owners: Marie-Laurence Oget & Palmyr Racing
Trainer: Guillaume Macaire
Breeders: Marie-Laurence Oget & Guillaume Macaire
Rider: James Reveley

The Prix Rush is a 3-year-old beginners' hurdle race recently won by future Group horses like Esmondo, Djagble, Echiquier Royal and Pic d'Orhy. The winner of the 2019 edition Al Cuarto (Nicaron) was far superior in the final stages. He went away in the run-in, leaving favourite Marchand de Venise (Martaline) 15 lengths behind. The latter made € 90,000 at Arqana Autumn sale in 2017, bought by bloodstock agent Frédéric Sauque for the famous trotting trainer, Philippe Allaire. Al Cuarto is owned by Marie-Laurence Oget and Palmyr Racing, who also bred him. This is the last foal out of Vie Ta Vie (Villez), a twice winner on the flat for trainer Éric Libaud and dam of the 11-year-old mare Caraline (Martaline), winner of seven races in France and in Great Britain, where she took another third place at the beginning of the month at Newcastle.