March Maiden Winners Update

LISTENMANIA (F3), FRA by Martaline ex Miss Aubane (Kahyasi)
Prix Auricula (3yo Fillies Maiden Hurdle, 3,000m), March 25, Auteuil
Owners : Richard Corveller et Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé
Trainer : Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé
Breeders : Olivier Tricot et Luka Tricot Legriffon
Rider : Pierre Dubourg

Listenmania (Martaline) didn't go straight to the post but she went far faster than her rivals in the run-in, dominating the leadier Fanfan des Brières (Cima de Triomphe), who hyst lost the 2nd place on the spot to Tytonidae (Timos).

Listenmania is out of Miss Aubane (Kahyasi), a full sister to champion chaser Perfect Impulse (Martaline), and a winner of 5 races including 3 at Auteuil over hurdles and fences alike. The winner now has a sister by Diamond Boy. Her older brother by Zambezi Sun, Spirit Sun, is still maiden after 8 attempts over obstacles bu he's got already more than €45,500 on his tally.

ASSIRO (C3), (GB) by Declaration of War ex T’as d’Beaux Yeux (Red Ransom)
Prix de Frauenfeld (3yo C&G Maiden, 1,600m), March 22, Fontainebleau (transfered from Saint-Cloud)
Owner : Luigi Roveda
Trainer : Andrea Marcialis
Breeder : Gestüt Zur Kuste AG
Rider : Cristian Demuro

Assiro (Declaration of War) slowly made his move towards the center of the track and easily defeated the leader Sandyssime (Camelot), who never quite let go though. Cabaleiro (Literato) finished well in 3rd after a troubled straight. The winner was coming back from his Winter spell and was racing for the first time under the care of Andrea Marcialis. He ran twice last year at Chantilly over 9 furlongs, beaten once by Sandyssime.

Assiro's sister Heuristique (Shamardal) was 3rd in last year's Abu Dhabi Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas-Gr1). He was sold €100,000 at the Arqana August sale, one year before his brother Tantpispoureux (Showcasing) was unsold by Haras d’Etreham, who consigns the whole family.

Winner of her two first races including the Prix de Chaillot at Longchamp for her debut for owner Maurice Lagasse, T’as d’Beaux Yeux (Red Ransom) failed in the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) and was never to race again, but she's out of the Listed-placed Torrealta (In The Wings).

CASTELLAR (F3, Main picture), FRA by American Post ex Highphar (Highest Honor)
Prix Calandria (3yo Fillies Maiden, 1,600m), March 22, Fontainebleau (transfered from Saint-Cloud)
Owner-Breeder : Darpat France
Trainer : Carlos Laffon-Parias
Rider : Olivier Peslier

7th foal out of Highphar (Highest Honor), following the birth of last year's QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) 3rd Recoletos (Whipper), Castellar (American Post) was favourite and duly obliged in this seasonal debut, 5 days late because of the weather conditions at Saint-Cloud on the previous Saturday. 4th for her (good) debuts in October at Saint-Cloud, Castellar followed the leading Watayouna (Siyouni) and took over handily in the last furlong. Watayouna finished 2nd at 2 lengths in front of Prima Perfect (Kendargent), who finished well.

Castellar and Recoletos's dam Highphar didn't run because she injured herself on her way to trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias's yard. The Spaniard trained the whole family for his countrymen, the Hinojosa family of Darpat France, and also Pharatta (Fairy King), Highphar's dam, winner of the Garden City Handicap (Gr2) in New York before going to stud.

After Castellar, Highphar gave birth to a full sister to Recoletos born in 2016.

Main entries : Abu Dhabi Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr1), The Gurkha Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1), Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1).

ELDANZA (F2), FRA by Never on Sunday ex Vilavella (Shamardal)
Prix du Début (Unraced 2yos, 850m), March 22, Fontainebleau (transfered from Saint-Cloud)
Owners : Mathieu Daguzan-Garros et Didier Guillemin
Trainer : Didier Guillemin
Breeders : Mathieu Daguzan-Garros et Henri Soler
Rider : Alexandre Gavilan

Fast off the gate in this six beginners' lot, Eldanza (Never on Sunday) won easily in the end, by four lengths on the post.

Eldanza is out of the unraced Vilavella (Shamardal), dam of Mister Five Euros (Diamond Green), a winner for his debut last year at 2 in May at Chantilly, and of another Diamond Green filly, the maiden Vaniline, exported to Poland after two defeats at Divonne and Salon-de-Provence.

Diamond Green and Never on Sunday both sired at the Haras des Granges owned by Mathieu Daguzan-Garros, breeder and owner of Eldanza. Her 2nd dam Take Blood (Take Risks) earned over €100,000 at 2 and 3, but won only once for her debut! She was then 3rd in the Prix La Flèche (L) and 4th in the Prix du Bois (Gr3) won by Sandwaki (Dixieland Band).

PIC D’ORHY (G3), FRA by Turgeon ex Rose Candy (Roli Abi)
Prix Rush (3yo maiden Hurdle, 3,000m), March 18, Auteuil

Owners : Jacques et Patrice Détré
Trainer : François Nicolle
Breeders : Jean Contou-Carrère et Yves Broca
Rider : Thomas Gueguen

It was quite a task to succeed Échiquier Royal and Master Dino, the first to home in the 2017 Prix Rush 3yo Hurdle, who both became Gr1 winners by the ned of the season. The two horses saddled by Guillaume Macaire, Goliath du Berlais (Saint of Saints) and Blue Silver (Blue Brazil), went away early and it felt as if they had managed their coup until Pic d'Orhy (Turgeon), who had led the chase, came back at them going into the final two hurdles. It still looked like a formidable task jumoing he last one, even on a such a holding ground, but Pic d'Orhy stormed home and passed the duettists flying, finally beaten by three and five lengths respectively.

Owned by Jacques Détré and his son Patrice, Pic d'Orhy is very well regarded by François Nicolle, who revealed after the race that he was hoping the gelding could win the Prix Cambacérès 3yo CHampion Hurdle (Gr1), two years after De Bon Cœur, whom he also trains for Jacques Détré.

Pic d'Orhy was bred in the Pyrénées-Atlantique by Jean Contou-Carrère and Yves Broca. His dam Rose Candy (Roli Abi) did not run, but she has already given birth to five foals, including one filly, the last born to date, in 2017, by Jeu Saint Éloi. Her first colt, Éclair Gris (Fairly Ransom), had won four races after having tried his luck against the very best of his crop at Auteuil, and just failed to beat them.

LUNCH LADY (F3), (GB) by Shamardal ex Highest Maintenance (Highest Honor)
Prix du Soissonnais (Unraced 3yo Fillies, 1,600m AW), March 15, Chantilly

Owner-breeder : Wertheimer&Frère
Trainer : Freddy Head
Rider : Maxime Guyon

A much anticipated debut rather reassuring for champion miler Solow (Singspiel)'s sister. Trained by Freddy Head, she was held until the last two furlongs behind the leading pair Malakeh (Harbour Watch) and Ghabnah (Equiano) but the race was over as soon as she saw the light. Lunch lady won by four lengthsand is now well en route to follow her fragile brother, who had been geslded, like hos other two brothers. The last born, however, is by Dubawi and is still a colt.

Main entries : Abu Dhabi Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, The Gurkha Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary, Prix de Diane Longines.

RASHKE (C3), GB by Redoute’s Choice ex Silkwood (Singspiel)
Prix du Beauvaisis (Unraced 3yo C&G, 1,600m AW), March 15, Chantilly

Owner-breeder : Godolphin SNC
Trainer : André Fabre
Rider : Mickaël Barzalona

Impressive winning debut for Rashke (Redoute’s Choice) in a 6-horses race which wasn't going at all until Rock or Bust (Kentucky Dynamite) shook up the field in the last bend. Rashke was happy to wait close to the leading Classic Joy (Cacique) but he took off as soon as needed to hold off Rock or Bust and then outsayed Classic Joy, but he seemed to keep on gathering momentum as he was flying home and passed the post over 3 lengths ahead of Nizaal (Dubawi), who finished well.

Rashke's older sister Next Life (Oasis Dream)was bought back £55,000 last year at Newmarket. Their dam Silkwood (Singspiel) won the Ribblesdale Stakes (Gr1), Royal Ascot's Oaks, and her second dam is a full sister to the champion Miesque.

Main entries : Abu Dhabi Poule d’Essai des Poulains, Qipco Prix du Jockey Club, Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris.

QATAR BOLT (C3), (GB) by French Fifteen ex Yellow and Green (Monsun)
Prix Tandem (3yo C&G Maiden, 1,800m AW), March 13, Chantilly

Owner : Abdullah bon Khalifa Al Thani
Trainer : Freddy Head
Breeder : Umm Qarn Management
Rider : Olivier Peslier

Qatar Bolt (French Fifteen) went way ahead of the field early on and kept on going with an inspired Olivier Peslier on board, just holding Moral Gagnant (Dabirsim) and Al Nectar (Iffraaj), who closed well on him.

It was Qatar Bolt's 5th attempt, the second this season after a handicap sixth place when rated 78.

Bred by his owner the sheik Abdullah Al Thani, via his breeding operation Umm Qarn, Qatar Bolt is the first foal out of Yellow and Green (Monsun), a Prix de Malleret (Gr2) winner and 5th in Solemia and Orfèvre's Qatar prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for the same connections. She herself is out of Green Swallow (Green Tune), a fine winner of the Prix du Calvados (Gr3) at 2 for trainer Philippe Demercastel. There's a sister by Charm Spirit of Qatar Bolt born last year.

LOZOYA (F3), FRA by Declaration of War ex Never Busy (Gone West)
Prix Talweg (3yo Fillies maiden, 1,800m AW), March 13, Chantilly

Owner : Antonio Caro
Trainer : Christophe Ferland
Breeder : Lynch-Bages Ltd
Rider : Julien Augé

Lozoya (Declaration of War) won nicely by two lengths with a cooll ride  but she looked a bit green still for her seasonal comeback. She was a debutante last November when 2nd to Moskova (Invincible Spirit), beating Colonia (Champs Elysées) and Sprinkling (Quality Road), who both won since.

Sold €40,000 as a yearling at the 2016 August Arqana sale by FIPS agency, she was consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux. Lozoya is out of Never Busy (Gone West), who went to stud a sa maiden but is also a sister to the champion Pas de Réponse (Danzig), a Cheveley Park Stakes (Gr1) winner in England at 2 ans a sister to the good sire Green Tune, also a Wertheimer-bred.

Main entries : Diana Trial (Gr2-Allemagne).

BROAFIELD (H3), IRE by Kodiac ex Avril Rose (Xaar)
Prix de la Belle Croix (Unraced 3yos, 1,300m AW), March 13, Chantilly

Owners : Mme A.G. Kavanagh et Fabrice Chappet
Trainer : Fabrice Chappet
Breeder : Kildaragh Stud et Michael Downey
Rider : Mickaëlle Michel

Broafield (Kodiac) completely thrashed his two opponents here, leading all the way to score easily. The gelding went twice to the sales however when unsold as a weanling in Newmarket, and as a yearling in Ireland for €20,000. He still belongs to Antoinette Kavanagh, his co-breeder under her Kildaragh Stud banner. He's the third foal out of Avril Rose (Xaar) and the only winner so far. The dam won a maiden race at La Teste at 2. However, she's a sister to Choose Me (Choisir), a  Listed winner, and a great granddaughter of 1981 Irish champion mare Cairn Rouge.

STABLE GENIUS (C3), FRA by Siyouni ex Anjella (Monsun)
Prix de la Traversière (Unraced 3yoC&G, 1,900m AW), March 9, 2018, Chantilly

Owners : Antoine Gilibert, Hubert Guy, Fabrice Chappet et Benoît Chalmel
Trainer : Fabrice Chappet
Breeder : Haras de la Pérelle
Rider : Christophe Soumillon

Bought for €30,000 by bloodstock agent Hubert Guy at Arqana August two years ago, Stable Genius (Siyouni) comes from a good German family which produced classic winners in Germany such as Aviso, Amarette et Atempo. The winner's 2nd dam, Attilia (Tiger Hill), won a Listed event at 3 and gave birth to  Ambria (Monsun), also a Listed winner, and then her full sister Anjella (Monsun), a  Gr3-3rd in heavy ground at 2. Stable Genius is her fifth foal, the second winner. A 2yo brother by Kendargent is in training with Carla O’Halloran, who bought him for €11,000at Arqana in October, while their older brother Anjello (High Chaparral) was sold €6,000 at the HIT sale at Arqana and exported to Slovakia.

With this win and a QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club entry, Stable Genius had to dig deep to win there as his stablemate Al Malhouf (Dutch Art) bravely held on after leading the field, resisting an aggressive Haloul (Galileo) until the ned for 2nd place.

Notable entries : QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club.

CHICHI ONE (F3), FRA by Spirit One ex La Chichina (Chichicastenango)
Prix de la Serpentine (Unraced 3yo Fillies, 1,900m AW), March 9, 2018, Chantilly

Owner : Écurie Bader
Trainer : Philippe Demercastel
Breeder : Emmanuel Le Roux
Rider : Eddy Hardouin

A non-runner on the course at Le Mans last Autumn, Chichi One (Spirit One) won the race about one and half furlong out, as she suddenly took off, leving the favoured Al Shaqab's Alhseemah (Planteur) win the other race with ease.

Chichi One was bred in Normandy by Emmanuel Le Roux, who leased her to Écurie Bader. Raced in the South by permit holder Françoise Gimmi-Pellegrino, her dam La Chichina (Chichicastenango) won thgree flat races before giving birth to Chichi One, her first foal, followed up by a 2yo son of Zanzibari.

MELCHIEF (G6), FRA by Air Chief Marshall ex Malanzane (Arazi)
Prix Rohan Hurdle (Unraced 4+, 3,600m), March 4 2018, Auteuil

Owner : Couétil Élevage
Trainer : Alain Couétil
Breeder : Karine Perreau
Rider : Alexis Poirier

Melchief (Air Chief Marshall) joined the leaders in the back straight and prevailed between the last two hurdles to score cosily.

Aged 6, he'd already made €50,000 over the flat and his rating had once reached 71 when he lined up for his hurdling debut in the Prix Rohan. Bred in Nièvre, the French Chase country, by Karine Perreau, Melchief races for Alain Couétil. His dam Melanzane (Arazi) raced just once for Mr de Moussacand went straight to the Moussac family's Haras du Mezeray. Sold €7,500 in foal to Turtle Bowl to bloodtsock agent Pierre Boulard at the Deauville Arqana Breeding sale, she's now with  Karine Perreau where she foald Vodka Redbulla (Turtle Bowl), a handicap winner rated 62.

Melanzane's dam is the champion mare Sierra Roberta (Don Roberto), and her last foal is a Lord du Sud 4yo also in training with Alain Couétil.

BELGRANO (G3), FRA by Tin Horse ex Oakcabin (Refuse to Bend)
Prix de Baqueville (Maiden 3C&G, 1,500m AW), March 2nd 2018, Deauville

Owners : Paul le Solleu, Carlos & Yann Lerner
Trainers : Carlos & Yann Lerner
Breeder : Écurie du Sud
Rider : Fabrice Véron

The recently gelded Belgrano (Tin Horse) was trying for the 9th time, a first this season, and finally got it right. Kept in last early on, he came back behind Associate (Rock of Gibraltar), himself follwing the unraced Unplugged (Power). The latter proved to be a tough nut to crack and finally got the better of the leading favourite Giovanni dal Ponte (Holy Roman Emperor), but could not stop Belgrano to fly away and beat Associate.

Belgrano raced in one of the earliest 2yo contests last season in March, only 7 months after being bought as a yearling for €12,000 at the Arqana Ausgust sale by Carlos Lerner, his trainer and co-owner. He raced in a claimer at the end of last season. His unraced dam Oakcabin (Refuse to Bend) gave two winners before him, and a yearling by Dunkerque since.

TALBAH (F3), (GB) by Style Vendome ex Lamorlaye (Danehill Dancer)
Prix d’Alderney (Unracec 3F, 1,500m AW), March 2nd 2018, Deauville

Owner : Al Shaqab Racing
Trainer : Nicolas Clément
Breeder : Al Shaqab Racing
Rider : Grégory Benoist

A 3rd win in two days at Deauville for Al Shaqab Racing. The unraced Talbah (Style Vendome) was lucky enough as she only kept a nose ahead of a fast finishing Roses for Grace (Redoute’s Choice) and Mickaelle Michel, whom she had taken over about one out. For Ever Fun (Linngari) stayed on in 3rd after freely leading the field.

Talbah is out of Lamorlaye (Danehill Dancer), a €200,000 purchase by Al Shaqab Racing at the Arqana Breeding Sale in 2013, as a broodmare prospect with only one win under her belt. Her price tag is more related to the fact thatshe's three parts a sister to Arc winner Dylan Thomas (Danehill), the Guineas heroine Homecoming Queen (Holy Roman Emperor) and the fast Queen’s Logic (Grand Lodge).

The 2yo sister to Talbah by Toronado is in training with Francis Graffard.

MOISSON PRÉCOCE (F3, Picture above), GB by Lawman ex Arch of Colours (Monsun)
Prix de Saint-Valéry (Maiden, 3F, 1,500m AW), March 2 2018, Deauville

Owners : Isabelle Corbani, Serge Boucheron, Écurie Pandora Racing, Ahmed Mouknass.
Trainer : François Rohaut
Breeder : Mascalls Stud
Rider : Stéphane Pasquier

A Prix Miesque (Gr3) third last time out in 2017 after 4 consecutives 2nd places, favourite Moisson Précoce (Lawman) finally made it by beating Kodiac West (Kodiac), who led her until two furlongs out.

The filly was tagged £40,000 and sold to MAB Agency (Marc-Antoine Berghgracht) at the Tattersalls October Sale Book 2 and went to the very association of owners gathered around her cousin Signs of Blessing (Invincible Spirit), winner of the LARC Prix Maurice de GHeest (Gr1) in 2016 and winner of the Prix de Meautry Barrière (Gr3) last Summer.

MY PLEASURE (C3), (IRE) by Lethal Force ex Cloghran (Muhtathir)
Prix du Vaudreuil (Maiden 3C&G, 1,900m AW), March 1st 2018, Deauville

Owner : Écurie Normandie Pur Sang
Trainer : Christophe Ferland
Breeder : Mme Pierre Lepeudry
Rider : Pierre-Charles Boudot

My Pleasure (Lethal Force) made all for his 3rd trial, his 2nd this season, easily beating the unraced Auzebosc (Champs Elysées) by 3 lengths. Bred by Mrs Pierre Lepeudry at the family's Élevage de Tourgéville, My Pleasure was paid €90,000 by Écurie Normandie Pur Sang at the 2016 Arqana August sales. He's a brother to the godd Robin of Navan (American Post), 3rd in the Prix Montjeu over Chantilly's all weather in a Dubai World Cup night prep race. Their dam Cloghran (Muhtathir) went to stud as a maiden after 4 unsuccessful trials in the SouthWest for trainer François Rohaut.

She gave birth to a Rock of Gibraltar filly 2 years ago whose name is Tillett and who's now trained by François Rohaut for Mrs. Lepeudry.

ALHAZM (C3), FRA by Acclamation ex Mikkwa (Elusive Quality)
Prix d’Aurigny (Unraced 3C&G, 1,500m AW), March 1st 2018, Deauville

Owner : Al Shaqab Racing
Trainer : Jean-Claude Rouget
Breeders : Écurie Haras du Cadran & Écurmaiden à Longchamp ie Mélanie
Rider : Grégory Benoist

Alhazm (Acclamation) took over Taekwondo (Excelebration) in the last furlong while Merisi (Elusive Quality) finished well to take 2nd place in the dying strides. Those three were way ahead of the field. Alhazm cost €140,000 at the 2016 Arqana August sale by Mandore International (Nicolas de Watrigant) for Al Shaqab Racing. The colt was consigned by haras du Cadran, like his Dawn Approach brother sold €80,000 last Summer to Highflyer Bloodstock in the same sale. He's now in training with Francis Graffard for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

Alhazm is the 2nd foal out of Mikkwa (Elusive Quality), a maiden winner at Longchamp for her 2nd attempt under the Wildensteins coulours. She was however bred by Janus Bloodstock and is out of Manureva (Nureyev), who raced for Haras d’Etreham, who consigned the 4yo unraced filly out of Mikkwa, Mardanshah (Medicean). As for Mikkwa herself, she'd been sold €260,000 in foal of Alhazm at the 2014 Arqana Breeding sale. A yearling filly by Gleneagles follows…

AJAYEB (F3), (IRE) by Frankel ex Harmonious (Dynaformer)
Prix du Val de Reuil (Maiden 3F, 1,900m AW), March 1st 2018, Deauville

Owner : Al Shaqab Racing
Trainer : Jean-Claude Rouget
Breeder : Al Shaqab Racing
Rider : Grégory Benoist

Fast out of the starting stalls with the leading Shadan (Orpen), favourite Ajayeb (Frankel) took her time to overcome her rival but surely held off a fast finishing Fira (Siyouni) in the end.

Ajayeb is the second foal out of Harmonious (Dynaformer), a $2,8m purchase at Keeneland in 2012. She'd just won 2 groups1s on the turf in the States and traces form a very prolific family in America. This only to explain why she was sent to Dubawi, then Frankel and Galileo, from whom she got a filly now 2yo.