14 April 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
The first classic benchmark of the season with a view on either or both the QIPCO Jockey Club (Gr1) and the Juddmonte Grand Prix of Paris (Gr1), the Prix Noailles (Gr3) took place on Sunday on the 2,100 m/10 1/2f trip of the Grande Piste in ParisLongchamp. Long held in last, the returning Slalom (Intello) placed a lightning acceleration that allowed him to take two and a half lengths on his stablemate, Syrtis (Frankel), who had already taken over the rest of the field. English raider Surrey Thunder (Le Havre), beaten by a nose for his return in the Prix François Mathet (L) at Saint-Cloud on the same distance, finished third this time.
Slalom was bred by Wertheimer & Frère, his owners. He was already undefeated in two races last year and made his comeback here. He is entered in the Prix Greffulhe (Gr2), the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) and the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1).
His elder brother Folamour (Intello) has just won the Prix de la Porte de Madrid (L) for his return and finished fourth in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1) last year. Slalom is the fifth foal out of Zagzig (Selkirk), who won over 2,100m at Senonnes for her third trial and then took several places in good handicaps for trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias. The elder sister of Folamour and Slalom, Concertista (Nathaniel) was sold € 75,000 at Arqana 2017 Summer sale. They are brothers and sisters to Empreinte (Footstepsinthesand), third in the Prix du Bois (Gr3) at 2, but winner only at the Croisé-Laroche for her debut and then at Le Mans over 1,400m/7f. Speciale (Oasis Dream) is the youngest, born in 2018.
Zagzig is out of Danzigaway (Danehill), herself a sister to the sire Gold Away who gave Silent Name (Sunday Silence) and Galiway (Galileo), two Group-level performers.