November maiden winners

QURTAJ (C2), FRA by Wootton Bassett ex Praise Dancing (Blame)
Prix de l’Epinay (Unraced 2yo colts & gedlings, 1,900m AWT), November 29, Deauville

Owner :  Al Shaqab Racing
Trainer : Simone Brogi
Breeder : Élevage du Haras de Bourgeauville
Rider : Gregory Benoist

Early in the lead, Qurtaj (Wootton Bassett) battled his way to the post ahead of those who had trailed him and resisted a fast finish from Varoki (Tin Horse) who failed by only neck.

Qurtaj went three times to the sales. First as a weanling in December 2016 at Deauville when Meridian International (Ghislain Bozo) bought him for €40,000 to Bourgeauville, then as a yearling in October at Tattersalls, where he was unsold at £50,000, and finally at the Arqana breeze-up sale when Al Shaqab finally secured him for €65,000. His Sea the Moon sister was bought back by Bourgeauville at the last October sale at €50,000.

The dam Praise Dancing (Blame) was unraced but she's out of Prianca (Diktat), who won a Listed inItaly. A full brother to Qurtajwas bred this year by Bourgeauville.

EBONY (F2), FRA by Le Havre ex Ennaya (Nayef)
Prix de la Roque (Unraced 2yo fillies, 1,900m AWT), November 29, Deauville

Owner :  Faisal Salman
Trainer : Jean-Claude Rouget
Breeder : Eric Puérari, Ariane Gravereaux, Oceanic Bloodstock, Mme Patrick Ades-Hazan
Rider : Christophe Soumillon

A very impressive winning debut of favorite Ebony (Le Havre), who flew away early in the last straight to score with 4 lengths to spare.

Purchased €160,000 at Arqana October sale, Ebony has got a Siyouni brother sold £425,000 at Tattersalls last October ! Both are out of Ennaya (Nayef), an Aix-les-Bains and La Teste winner over 9 and 10 furlongs. She's an Aga Khan bred whose sister Ervedya (Siyouni) wo the French 1,000 (Gr1) and the Coronation Stakes (Gr1) for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, who spotted Ebony at Deauville.

Ennaya herself was sold £270,000 at Tattersalls in foal to the colt sold at Newmarket a yaer after she was sold €200,000 in Deauville carrying Ebony !

SIYAK (C2), FRA by Siyouni ex Skalya (Sagacity)
Prix de l’Hotellerie (2yo maiden, 1,300m AWT), Novembre 29, Deauville

Owner :  Melissa O’Neill
Trainer : Eoghan O’Neill
Breeder : Écurie Euroling
Rider : Maxime Guyon

Beaten 2 lengths at Chantilly by Big Brothers Pride for his debut at Chantilly , Siyak (Siyouni) made it for his 2nd attempt. He went outside the leaders Harbour Spirit (Charm Spirit) and Al Jaroud (Dabirsim), Siyak fought his way to the post to beat Al Jaroud by a short neck with a brave Harbour Spirit third behind a head. 4th-placed Xira (Elusive City) came from far behind to finish well.

Siyak was purchased €75,000at the V2 Arqana yearling sale and then €68,000 at the breeze-up by Blandford. He's the fifth foal out of Skalya (Sagacity), already dam of two winners, including Prix de l’Avre (L) 2nd Genzy (Gentlewave). A Rajsaman brother was born in 2018.

PENNEY (F2), FRA by Penny’s Picnic ex Semenova (Green Tune)
Prix de la Placière (2yo Maiden, 1,900m AWT), November 28, Deauville

Owner :  Matthew Coleman
Trainer : Henri-François Devin
Breeder : Catherine Niederhauser Dietrich
Rider : Mickaël Barzalona

Third for her debut at ParisLongchamp over 8 furlongs, beaten by less than 3 lengths by Prix des Réservoirs (Gr3) third Nova Sol, then third again at Angers, Penney (Penny’s Picnic) needed 9 furlong sand an AWT to win for the first time. She went along the field and dove towards the rail to take a decisive lead about two out and held off Coulvain (Le Havre).

Good finish from Serendipité (Le Havre) behind.

The winner cost €25,000 as a weanling, was unsold as a yearling at Deauville. Her weanling sister Hunter’s Light (Dubawi) is listed on Arqana December catalogue. Thei dam Semenova (Green Tune) won twice and finished third in a Listed over a mile and a half at three. she foaled  Absolutely Yes (Country Reel), a Prix de Guiche (Gr3) winner, and Aornos (Dashing Blade), winner of the Prix Delahante (L) at 2 in Marseille.

OBOE (F2), USA by Mizzen Mast ex Flute (Seattle Slew)
Prix de la Cerisaie (Unraced 2yo Fillies, 1,500m AWT), November 28, Deauville

Owner :  Khalid Abdullah
Trainer : Pascal Bary
Breeders : Juddmonte farms
Rider : Thierry Thulliez

Oboe (Mizzen Mast) camle by the leaders in the bend and easily held off La Bloutière (Dansili), second beaten only a neck, Black and Blue (Denon) staying on for third after leading the way. A nice finish from 4th-placed Tencaratrubieslace (Siyouni), and bad luck for Marbella (Invincible Spirit) who finished 7th without being able to find the day.

Oboe is out of US-bred Flute (Seattle Slew), a Kentucky Oaks (Gr1) and Alabama Stakes (Gr1) winner, also dam of the Us Gr2 winner Filimbi (Mizzen Mast), a fiull sister to Oboe who won three races in France before that, including the Prix Isola Bella (L) for triner Criquette Head.

MAKMOUR (C2), FRA by Rock of Gibraltar ex Makana (Dalakhani)
Prix de la Pommeraie (2yo unraced colts and geldings, 1,500m AWT), November 28, Deauville

Owner :  S.A. Aga Khan
Trainer : Jean-Claude Rouget
Breeder : S.A. Aga Khan
Rider : Christophe Soumillon

Trailing Mandaar (Canyon Creek) outside the leaders, the favourite Makmour (Rock of Gibraltar) easily took over  after verrinbg to the outside early in the straight. The grey Cardino (Rajsaman) finisghed well in second, coming from the rail, ahead of a closing Bleu Marine (Dark Angel), and a brave Mandaar. Mirage Vert (Kheleyf) also finished well in 7th.

The homebred Aga Khan is out of Makana (Dalakhani), who won twice over a mile and a half and 15 furlongs but failed to make the frame at listed or Group level. She didn't race at 4. Makmour is her second foal after Manatiya (Redoute’s Choice), a 3yo winner at Castera, and before a Maxios filly and a  Bated Breath colt. Makana's dam Marasima (Barathea) ran only once and won over the mile at the Bouscat in Bordeaux. She also gave Markazi (Dark Angel), aPrix de la Californie (L) and  Prix Omnium II (L) winner in 2017 before his sale for €140,000 at Arqana's Summer sale.

PRIME ASSET (C3), GER by Jukebox Jury ex Perima (Kornado)
Prix de la Boucle d’en haut (3yo maiden, 3 000m PSF), November 20, Chantilly

Owner : Stall Salzburg
Trainer : Sarah Steinberg
Breeder : Gestüt Etzean
Rider : Tony Piccone

Four times beaten in his native Germany over 7 to 11 furlongs, Prime Asset (Jukebox Jury) tried himself over an all-weather track at Chantilly only 19 days after a Münich-Riem 4th place. It was also a first over 15 furlongs. He went alongside the leaders, including Wynola (Redoute’s Choice), who seemed to have made most of it entering the last straight, Prime Asset on the other hand looked outpaced and unable to catch up with 2 furlongs to go. His rider was already quite busy and he was just seeming to keep up with the field. However, he finally found his momentum and went to catch Wynola to win by ¾ of a length while another German raider, Son Pardo (Wiensepfad) finished well in third.

Prime Asset was paid €90,000 at the Baden-Baden sale. His Camelot sister however was unsold €26?000 last year, also in Baden. both are siblings to Pakal (Lord of England), a Critérium International (Gr1) 2nd.

ZIPPOR (F3), JPN by Deep Impact ex Sandslash (Holy Roman Emperor)
Prix Magdeleine (3yo maiden, 1,600m AWT), November 20, Chantilly

Owner :  George Strawbridge
Trainer : Freddy Head
Breeder : Shimokobe Farm
Rider : Benjamin Marie

It was a 6th trial for the brave Zippor (Deep Impact), twice rated 76 in handicaps, and back at the mile for her come back after a 6 months hiatus.

She gained a 5Lbs allowance and iut helped her staying on to beat Lord Torranaga (Planteur). Got Awan (George Vancouver) finished well along the rail.

Sold £160,000 in 2009 to her owner, Japanese stud farm Shimokobe farm at Tattersalls, Sandslash (Holy Roman Emperor), Zippor's dam, is a Gr3 winner in Italy and is kout of the fast filly Slap Shot (Lycius), a Prix Robert Papin (Gr2) and Prix de Saint-Georges (Gr3) third. Zippor cost $400,000 at the Japanese sales.

OUZALA (F2), (IRE) par Dansili et Mydarshaan (Darshaan)
Prix Pharsale (Maiden 2yo Fillies, 2,000m), November 16, Saint-Cloud

Owner :  Wertheimer&Frère
Trainer : Freddy Head
Breeder : Wertheimer&Frère
Rider : Maxime Guyon

Seventh for her debut and then second to the good So Unique, who went on to finish 3rd in the Prix Miesque (Gr3), Ouzala (Dansili) finished well after taking her time to find momentum that day. It was over the mile at Saint-Cloud, just like her first time out. Over ten furlongs, the Freddy Head-trained filly stayed behind and came by through the field behind the beginning Je Ne Regretterien (Galileo) whom she took over easily and went on, under hands and legs, to win by ¾ of a length. Two lengths behind was Cressida (Sommerabend) finishing well in third in front of a devserving Yaralinda (Silver Forst) and the frontunner Dukessa (Makfi).

This family will be represented at the Arqana December sale as Balinaise (Dansili), a sister to Mydarshaan (Darshaan), Ouzala's daml, is for sale there. She is a sister to Indonésienne (Muhtathir), heir of the Head family bloodline secured by Roland de Chambure's Ecurie Aland with Most Precious, which leads us to Matiara and Marathon.

Mydarshaan also gave a Mastercraftsman filly in 2017.

PURPLE VICTORY (G2), FRA by War Command ex Lana Girl (Arch)
Prix Kantar (Maiden 2yo colts and geldings, 2,000m), November 16, Saint-Cloud

Owner :  Écurie Jean-Louis Bouchard
Trainer : Freddy Head
Breeder : Marie-Claude Biaudis
Rider : Aurélien Lemaître

Three weeks after his eyectaching debut in Deauville, the gelding Purple Victory (War Command) showed his appreciation of a longer trip from 8 to 10 furlongs. Fast out of the gatre, then held up into the field, Purple Victory followed the André Fabre-trained beginner Team Flight (Camelot), a grandson of the great hurdling mare Karly Flight (Mansonnien) who held on a good while to get beat by less than a length while Pedro Cara (Pedro the Great) also finished well in 3rd.

Purple Victory's King’s Best sister is at the Arqana December sale. He was sold himself for €135,000 at Deauville to Chantilly Bloodstock (Gérard Larrieu), Jean-Louis Bouchard's usual agent, who bought him to Haras de Castillon (Benoît Jeffroy). The dam traces back to the Wildenstein crafted family of Verveine, dam of US Gr1 winner Volga (Caerleon), from the same tree than the one of Vespone, Usherette, Maids Causeway, Vallée Enchantée, etc.

Lana Girl (Arch), Purple Victory's dam, never raced and ws bred by Joseph Allen, who had secured Volga from the Wildensteins. Lana Girl was bought as yearling at Deauville for €50,000 by Chantilly Bloodstock, again. She just gave a Gleneagles filly. She's also . the dam of Landfall (Myboycharlie), now named Rise High in Hong Kong, with over €500,000 in prizemoney…

GIPSY SONG (F3), FRA by Makfi ex Singing Machine (Rossini)
Prix Rheingold (3yo Maiden, 2,400m), November 16, Saint-Cloud

Owner :  Alain-Louis Dreyfus
Trainer : Mikel Delzangles
Breeder : Alain-Louis Dreyfus
Rider : Vincent Cheminaud

It was an 8th attempt from Gipsy Song (Makfi), an Alain-Louis Dreyfus-bred filly out of the breeder's own sire Makfi (Dubawi), a Classic winner in UK whom he partly owned. Gipsy Song started in May by a 7th place and she went on with a few placings before a 2-month long pause. Adter a failed attempt in a handicap, she tried about every angle by-ut this time was kept in rear and went on all the way in the middle of the track , beating her stablemate Rasiym (Reliable Man) by the post.

Gipsy Song is the 5th foal out of the winning mare Singing Machine (Rossini), dam of 5 winners  and of an Anodin filly bred in 2016 and also in training with Mikel Delzangles.

GRIFFONE (C3), FRA by Vision d’État ex Infini (Sinndar)
Prix du Parc du Manoir (3yo maiden, 1,900m AWT), November 13, Chantilly

Owner :  Griffo Racing
Trainer : John David Hillis
Breeders : SCEA l’Aubay et Serge Boubier
Rider : Louis-Philippe Beuzelin

Soon near the frontrunning Interstellaire (Tin Horse), Griffone (Vision d’État) helkd off every attacker and finally won surely to beat Alcama Doloise (Youmzain)who applied pretty much the same gutsy tactics. El Manifico (Siyouni) was one again unlucky in running while the unraced Shabana (Pivotal), who had still run in a school race, was never able to find daylight in the final stage.

Griffone was running fir the 3rd time only in France after a busy early career in Germany. Twice extended to a mile and a half, in France, he has found his day over the all-weather track.

Bought for €18,000 at Arqana by his owner and his trainer, Griffone is out of Infini (Sinndar), a German-bred mare whoi never raced but is a sister of the classic filly Iota (Tiger Hill), winner of the German Oaks. She also gave a Boby di Job colt and two other by Voiladenuo since Griffone was born, all of whom have been bred by the West trainer Yannick Fertillet, who paid only €11,000 for the mare at Arqana.

AVAITRESS (F2), (IRE) by Shamardal ex Manerbe (Unbridled’s Song)
Prix de la Croix Saint-Rieuil (Maiden 2yo fillies, 1,600m AWT), November 13, Chantilly

Owner :  Laurence Roth
Trainer : Alain de Royer Dupré
Breeder : Écurie des Monceaux
Rider : Christophe Soumillon

The only beginner in the field of 12 fillies, Avaitress (Shamardal) went all the way from last to first in the final two furlongs and beat an unlucky Tifosa (Kodiac) by a neck, with the usual Godolphin entry Chamundi Hills (Lope de Vega) finishing third two lengths back. Ironically, the 2nd-placed sports the colours of Ecurie des Charmes, the founder of Ecurie des Monceaux, the winner's breeder.

Owned by Laurence Roth and sold €450,000 at Arqana 2017 August Sale to Solis/Litt, Avaitress is a sister to Group winner Marbre Rose (Smart Strike), twice placed in French Gr3s before her departure to the States. She's from an American family especially successful with females.

PRICE RANGE (C2), USA by First Defence ex Price Tag (Dansili)
Prix de la Croix Marquet (Maiden 2yo colts and geldings, 1,600m AWT), November 13, Chantilly

Owner :  Khalid Abdullah
Trainer : Pascal Bary
Breeder : Juddmonte farms
Rider : Vincent Cheminaud

A promising 5th for his debut at Maisons-Laffitte, when finishing well after taking some time to gain momentum, Price Range (First Defence) waited behind this time until early in the last straight but once geared ahead, he made short work of Aladin (Anodin), who looked like a potential winner early on but finally just held on for 2nd place beating Saga Timgad (Excelebration).

Price Range's dam Price Tag (Dansili), who passed the post first in a Gainsborough Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 - Gr1) only to be demoted to 3rd place. She however went on to win the Matriarch Stakes (Gr1) in USA.

Price Range's own sister, bred a year earlier, was sold £8,000 at Tattersalls without having run. Price Tag also gave an English Channel colt born in 2017.

OBLIGATE (F2), FRA by Frankel ex Responsible (Oasis Dream)
Prix Douve (Unraced 2yo Fillies, 1,500m), November 9, Saint-Cloud

Owner :  Khalid Abdullah
Trainer : Pascal Bary
Breeder : Juddmonte farms
Rider : Vincent Cheminaud

Fast out of the stalls, Obligate (Frankel) held off every challenger and seemed to stay on with more ease the what themere "head" margin suggests. A tough Suquitho (Authorized) never let go in second however. Edisa (Kitten’s Joy) just stayed on in 3rd 2 1/2 lengths behind.

Obligate's dam, Responsible (Oasis Dream), was unraced but as a daughter of Hasili (Kahyasi), she's a sister to champions Dansili (Danehill), Banks Hill (Danehill), Cacique (Danehill), Champs Elysées (Danehill), Deluxe (Storm Cat), etc. No comments on that bloodline! Obligate is her first foal, as it seems but also she never ran, Responsible has become a TV screen star since an ITV Racing team filmed the birth of the following Frankel colt born in 2017 (enjoy the video here). She was dut to meet Siyouni this year.

URWALD (C2), (GB) by Le Havre ex Waldjagd (Observatory)
Prix Antivari (Unraced 2yo colts & geldings, 1,500m), November 9, Saint-Cloud

Ownber :  SCEA Haras de Saint-Pair
Trainer :  André Fabre
Breeder :  SCEA Haras de Saint-Pair
Rider : Amélie Foulon

Well started, then taken over by Arise (Makfi) and the front-running Savoir Aimer (Authorized), Urwald (Le Havre) stayed outside and was soon along the stands rail coming into the last straight. He took it from there and was never really challenged. He beat Arise by 1 1/2 length, a good finishing Kiev (Olympic Glory) and Arifushi (Epaulette).

Bred by haras de Saint-Pair, Urwald has a 4yo sister Waldfee (Dansili), who is in the Arqana Breeding sale catalogue. Their Muhaarar sister was sold €120,000 at the Deauville October sale and a filly by Intello was born this year. 2nd inb the Diana-Trial (Gr2), their dam Waldjagd (Observatory) is out of the German classic mare Wurftaube (Acatenango), winner of the German St. Leger and dam of Derby winner (Gr1) Waldpark (Dubawi). It is also the family of Leger winner Masked Marvel (Montjeu) and of Waldgeist (Galileo).

CAPTAIN’S GIRL (F3), FRA by Captain Marvelous ex New Style (Tertullian)
Prix de la Chapelle Saint-Pierre (Maiden 3yos, 1,300m AW), November 7, Chantilly

Owner :  Equotair
Trainer :  Pascal Bary
Breeders :  Larissa Kneip & Sandrine Grevet
Rider : Christophe Soumillon

It was a 6th attempt to win by Captain’s Girl (Captain Marvelous) but also a first on fibresand. The Pascal Bary-trained filly had never been closer than thoird -in a claimer- before finishing 9th last time out in a handicap with a 76Lbs mark.

Captain’s Girl was bought for €20,000 at Osarus as a yearling by bloodstock agent NBB Racing (Nicolas Bertran de Balanda) and the filly went on to race for Moïse Ohanah (right on the photo). Her sister by Sommerabend was unsold at €3,000 at Osarus in 2017.

The dam New Style (Tertullian), winner of one race, has since given 5 winners. another Captain Marvelous filly was born this season.

QU’HUBO (c2), FRA by Siyouni ex Pestagua (Lawman)
Prix de la Seigneurerie (Unraced 2yos, 1,300m AW), November 7, Chantilly

Owner :  Roberto Cocheteux Tierno
Trainer :  Xavier Demeaulte
Breeders :  Louise Thomas-Kleparski & Roberto Cocheteux Tierno
Rider : Pierre-Charles Boudot

Fast near the front-running squad, Qu’Hubo (Siyouni) took his time to overcome a leading Flaming Heart (Sommerabend), whom he passed about one furlong out to cruise home and keep favourite Subridere (Intrello) at a length. 

Qu’Hubo cost €84,000 at Deauville but he still runs under his co-breeder Roberto Cocheteux Tierno's colours. His winning Lope de Vega sister is liestd in the Arqana breeding sale next month.

The dam Pestagua (Lawman) won at Maisons-Laffitte and she's a sister to Sunday Nectar (Footstesinthesand), a Listed-winner in Italy, form teh family of the good mare Gwenseb, dam a grou-winners for Wertheimer & Frère.

After Qu’Hubo, Pestagua gave an Intello filly and a Wootton Bassett filly.

RECOVER ME (F3), FRA by Fastnet Rock ex Marie Rossa (Testa Rossa)
Prix Poliglote (Maiden 3yos, 2,100m), November 6, Saint-Cloud

Owner :  Succession Moratalla
Trainer :  Alain de Royer Dupré
Breeders :  Oceanic Bloodstock, Ariane Gravereaux
Rider : Stéphane Pasquier

Held back the field, Recover Me (Fastnet Rock) took her time to make her move and didn't find the gap that easily but she merely dominated in the end top beat the favoured Act of God (Camelot), who had taken the lead entering the last straight on the stands' side.

It was a 3rd day out for the Moratalla estate representative after two 4th places at Evreux and Chantilly. Recover Me was bought for €125,000 € at Arqana by Broadhurst Agency (Laurent Benoît) but her younger Camelot sister cost €90,000 in October at Deauville when her co-breeder Oceanic Bloddstock (Michel Zerolo) signed the slip.

Marie Rossa (Testa Rossa), also out of an Aussie sire, won at Longchamp and gave the good miler Zvarov (Elusive City). She herself is out of the good Marie de Ken (Kendor), a Prix Fille de l’Air (Gr3) winner and the dam of Ana Marie (Anabaa), winner of the Prix d’Harcourt (Gr2), 2nd in the Nassau Stakes (Gr1) and the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Gr1) for the famous Bader family.