October maiden winners

KIHAVAHFUSHI (C3), (GB) by Wootton Bassett ex Tejaara (Kingmambo)
Prix du Palais des Congrès (Maiden 3yos, 1,600m), October 30, Saint-Cloud

Owner : Henri-Alex Pantall
Trainer : Henri-Alex Pantall
Breeders : Henri-Alex Pantall & Yvette Chabot
Rider : Pierre-Charles Boudot

3rd and 4th at 2, both times at Saint-Cloud over a mile, 4th for his comeback a year later early in October at Pornichet, Kihavahfushi (Wootton Bassett) won only 17 days later bravely keeping his challengers at bay after taking over the first-time blinkered, front-running Lipstick (Kendargent). The latter didn't make it to the post and conceded the 2nd place to a closing Banoush (Mizzen Mast) while Shamdor (Kendargent) only failed for 3rd by a shoert neck.

Kihavahfushi, the name of a Maldives sea resort, which is also the case for his brother, the Listed placed Dhevanafushi (Kendargent). Their dam Tejaara (Kingmambo) was bred by Shadwell who sold her as an unraced 2yo at Arqana for €6,000 to bloodstfock agent Guy Petit. She raced for Alex Pantall and won only after 8 failed attempts, at Le Mans, but soon after she gave Rangali (Namid), her 2nd foal, winner of the Prix du Gros-Chêne (Gr2) and a Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (Gr1) second for Pantall.

Tejaara's two latest foals are Arifushi (Epaulette), a 2yo colt in training with Henri-Alex Pantall, and the filly Alimathaa (Dream Ahead) born this year.

TUNED (F2), (GB) by Toronado ex Zagora (Green Tune)
Prix d’Hotot-en-Auge (Unraced 2yo fillies, 1,600m), October 25, Deauville

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

She didn't start well but was soon able to recover and follow her stablemate Sadiqa (Poet’s Voice) who was making her way by the rail, so Tuned (Toronado) was abbale to challenge her geting into the last straight and finally just won by a short head. Platane (Le Havre) ran along them for a while but was unable to keep up early and rallied well eventually to finsh 3rd, beaten 2 1/2 lengths.

Tuned is out of the champion mare Zagora (Green Tune), one of the best in her generation in France before winning her best races Stateside, including a Breeders’Cup Filly and Mare Turf (Gr1) for Martin Schwartz. Sold $2.5m to Mandore Agency (Nicolas de Watrigant) for Al Shaqab after that, she gave four folas including a class 1 winner Frankel gelding, a Galileo maiden filly, then Tuned and finally a Dubawi yearling colt.

KING COBRA (C2), FRA by Rajsaman ex Kinlochrannoch (Kyllachy)
Prix de Saint-Désir (Unraced 2yo colts & geldings, 1,600m), October 25, Deauville

Owners : Gérard Augustin-Normand & Écurie Jean-Louis Tepper
Trainer : Jean-Claude Rouget
Breeder : Elisabeth Vidal
Rider : Mirco Demuro

A bit of a messy race here with a missed start from Kasaman (Charm Spirit), who will however finish fast to catch the 3rd place, close to an also rallying Top Max (Joshua Tree), but let's not take anything away from King Cobra (Rajsaman)'s win as he was close to the pace all the way and duly hekld off every challenge.

King Cobra was sold €40,000 a a yearling at Osarus Salesbut his own brother made only €6,000 last August in Deauville. The dam Kinlochrannoch (Kyllachy) won in Britain and gave Komodo (Le Havre), winner of six races and earner of almoist €150,000. After her yearlking, she also foaled a Rajsaman filly. She's a asister tof the good sprinter Mar Adentro (Marju), tracing back to Caretta, already named in this article within the family of Amilcar (read below).

ROMAN CANDLE (C2), (GB) by Le Havre ex Holy Dazzle (Sunday Break)
Prix de Kildare (Maiden 2yo colts & geldings, 2,000m), October 24, Deauville

Owner : Godolphin SNC
Trainer : André Fabre
Breeders : Écurie Mélanie, Écurie Haras du Cadran et Adrian von Gunten
Rider : Pierre-Charles Boudot

2nd to stablemate Ahesta Bero 13 days earlier, Roman Candle (Le Havre) was held back here until the final bend and then dived towards the rail to take the lead and stay on nicely to score by two lengths.

Roman Candle was bought €190,000 at Arqana, but his Toronado sister was sold last Summer for €90,000 to Jean-Claude Rouget at the same venue. She's now in training and will race for owner Daniel-Yves Trèves. Holy Dazzle (Sunday Break), Roman Candle's dam, was 2nd in the Prix Imprudence (Gr3), a French trial for the Guineas, but proved unable to win at Listed level after that. However her 2nd dam is also the 2nd dam of Chichicastenango, winner of the Prix Lupin (Gr1) and the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1).

TAMNIAH (F2), FRA by Nathaniel ex Ezdehar (Rock of Gibraltar)
Prix de Lexington (Maiden 2yo fillies, 2,000m), October 24, Deauville

Owner : Prince A. Faisal
Trainer : André Fabre
Breeder : Muteb Bin Abdullah
Rider : Maxime Guyon

Fifth for her debut over 1,500m after looking like a potential winner at one stage, Tamniah (Nathaniel) showed some progress here over a longer distance, sneaking inside to take the lead in a matter of strides and hold on to the post to beat Ninety Years (French Fifteen) by half a length but with some margin, one may think. The filly looks like she could improve again.

Tamniah's Kendargent sister was unsold at €70,000 the day before at Arqana. As for Tamniah herself, she'd been sold at Arqana 's breeze-up sale in May for €75,000 to Ted Voute. The dam Ezdehar (Rock of Gibraltar) is out of Pharmacist (Machiavellian), whoch makes her a sister to the globe trotting champ Red Rocks (Galileo), winner of a Breeders’Cup Turf (Gr1) and also 2nd in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1) won by Qatar Arc winner Rail Link.

TERTIUS (C2), FRA by Siyouni ex Rhenania (Shamardal)
Prix de Varaville (2yo Maiden, 1,200m), October 23, Deauville

Owner : Christa Zass
Trainer : Marcus et Stéphanie Nigge
Breeder : Christa Zass
Rider : Hugo Journiac

Fifth for his debut ove the mile at Saint-Cloud, Tertius (Siyouni) won from pillar to post for his 2nd testover a trip 2 furlongs shorter. He's beating by ba good length two good finishers in Come Back (Toronado) and Sosume (Siyouni).

Tertius's dam Rhenania (Shamardal) had been bought at Arqana Breeze-up sales at Saint-Cloud by trainer Markus Nigge for €48,000. She reached her peak three years later when landing the Listed Prix Miss Satamixa (L) over Deauville's all-weather track.

At stud, Rhenania gave four folas, including an Elusive City colt of 2017. Before Tertius, she foaled two colts including Rhenius (Soldier of Fortune), who won his maiden over Chantilly's all-weather. Rhenania's 2nd dam Cois Cuain (Night Shift) is a sister to irish Oaks second Kitza (Danehill).

AMILCAR (C2), (IRE) by Wootton Bassett ex Drosia (King’s Best)
Prix de la Brèche aux Loups (Maiden 3yo colts & geldings, 1,400m), October 21, Chantilly

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

Just beaten at Maisons-Laffitte in a tight finish, Amilcar (Wootton Bassett) has had to fight all the way to the post once again but managed to prevail this time, beating Al Tariq (Oasis Dream) by a nose for this second start.

Amilcar was twice listed for sale at Deauville but was bought back on both occasion for €8,000 as a weanling and then as a yearling at €32,000. His dam Drosia (King’s Best), a Listed-winner for the Marinopoulos family, already foaled 3 winners. Amilcar's 4th dam, Caretta (Caro) gave the sires Al Nasr (Lyphard) and Kingsalsa (Kingmambo).

TIPTOP (F2), (IRE) by Zanzibari ex Tinera (Kendor)
Prix de la Faisanderie (maiden 3yo fillies, 1,400m), October 21, Chantilly

Owner : Hue & Lamotte d’Argy
Trainer : Hue & Lamotte d’Argy
Breeder : Haras de la Gisloterie
Rider : Chloë Hue

A front-running Tiptop (Zanzibari) seemeed to have bagged the race two out but finally struggled and only held off Lucky Doe (Dawn Approach), who didn't seem to have a clear run 2 furlongs out and fiioshed fast to lose by a short neck only.

It was the winner's 3rd attempt after failing at Bordeaux and Pornichet.

Tiptop was paid €7,500 as a weanling by Irish agent Seamus Murphy at the Arqana sale, where haras de la Gisloterie bought his dam, the "Bader-bred" Tinera (Kendor) four years earlier as the filly was out of trainong, for a mere € 3,500. She'ds a sister to Liscannor Lad (Nicolotte), A Gr1 novice chase in Ireland. Tiptop is her younger foal listed.

ST ROMAIN DU DERBY (G3), FRA by Anabaa Blue ex Lady Lox (Loxias)
Prix Emilius (Unraced 3yo, Hurdles 3,600m), October 20, Auteuil

Owner : Michel-André Billard
Trainer : Guillaume Macaire
Breeder : Les écuries du Derby et Pierre Boulard.
Rider : Bertrand Lestrade

Unraced in both codes, St Romain du Derby (Anabaa Blue) however made all even though he was challenged to jump the last but still bounced back in the run-in to score by 2 1/2 lengths on Feu du Brésil (Blue Bresil) and Always Magic (Sunday Break) further back.

St Romain du Derby is the first foal out of Lady Lox (Loxias), a Wild Monarch 3yo Hurdle (L) 3rd for her debut and a wionner a year later for her come back at Auteuil over hursldes. Since St Romain, bred in Maine-et-Loire, Lady Lox gave another yearling colt, by Full of Gold.

RICHMOND AVENUE (F3), IRE by Invincible Spirit ex Ragsah (Shamardal)
Prix de la Barrière du Trône (3yo maiden, 1,400m), October 18, ParisLongchamp

Owner : Godolphin
Trainer : André Fabre
Breeder : Godolphin
Rider : Mickaël Barzalona

3rd for her debut in April over 6f at Maisons-Laffitte, then 3rd in Dieppe, Richmond Avenue (Invincible Spirit) did not show up again for 4 months and came back only to win over this 7 furlongs trip at ParisLongchamp, in quite an impressive way : held back by Mickaël Barzalona, he changed gear two furlong sout and the race was immediately over as he won by 3 1/2 lengths. 2nd-placed Shamdor (Kendargent) also finished very well coming for off the pace.

Richmond Avenue is out of a very interesting family as her dam Ragsah (Shamardal) finished 4th in the Cheveley Park Stakes (Gr1) at 2 after winning her maiden and finishing 2nd in the Firth of Clyde Strakes (Gr3) at Ayr. She's out of Colorado Dancer (Shareef Dancer), dam of the great Dubai World Cup (Gr1) winner Dubai Millennium (Seeking the Gold), herself out of the great US mare Fall Aspen (Pretense).

MERIMBULA (F2), USA by Dalakhani ex Urban Ball (Galileo)
Prix de la Salle du Sphinx (Unraced 2yo fillies, 1,800m), October 18, ParisLongchamp

Owners : Peter Maher, Finemore Thoroughbreds, Makybe Racing and Breeding & John Baxter
Trainer : Freddy Head
Breeder : Gainesway Thoroughbreds
Rider : Aurélien Lemaître

The two first fillies entering the final straight Merimbula (Dalakhani) and Solage (Galileo) kept all her rivals in check  and passed the post in this order as the 3rd-placed Queen (Kingman), a filly out of the champion mare Pride, couldn't find the gap behind them.

Merimbula was liest as a weanling at Keeneland by her breeder Gainesway but was taken out of the salea nd then consigned as a yearling at Deauville by Newsells Park Stud, who sold her for €70,000 to Broadhurst Agency (Laurent Benoît). Her Tapit weanling sister is entered at the next Keeneland November sale, like her elder sister who made $ 400,000 last year at the same vacation… In fact, Urban Ball (Galileo), even though she was unable to win, is by Galileo and therefore three parts a sister to American chalmpion Perfect Soul (Sadler’s Wells).

SHENDAM (C2), FRA by Charm Spirit ex Shemima (Dalakhani)
Prix de Belleville (Unraced 2yo colts & geldings, 1,800m), October 18, ParisLongchamp

Owner :  S. A. Aga Khan
Trainer : Mikel Delzangles
Breeder :  S. A. Aga Khan
Rider : Christophe Soumillon

Just a stroll at the races for Shendam (Charm Spirit) quiwho went away in the final straight and beat 2nd-placed Battle of Toro (New Approach) by three lengfths with the field a further 5 lengths further.

Shendam is out of Shemima (Dalakhani), a Prix de Lutèce (Gr3) and Prix Allez France (Gr2) winner, also 2nd in the Chaudenay (Gr2), whiwh means that she was effective from 10 to 15 furlongs! Not much so far at stud though even with two winners before this onewho's entered in theEpsom derby. After him, Shemima foaled a Siyouni filly and a Kingman colt. The dam is out of the classic winner Shemaka (Nishapour).

Main entries : Epsom Derby (Gr1)

DALVINI (C2), FRA by Lawman ex Daltama (Indian Ridge)
Prix Vamos (Maiden 3yos, 2,400m), October 17, Saint-Cloud

Owner : Antoine Fontaine
Trainer : Alain de Royer Dupré
Breeder : S. A. Aga Khan
Rider : Mickaël Berto

A good 4th for his debut over this 1m4f trip early in August at Clairefontaine, Dalvini (Lawman) finished only a distant 6th after that at the Croise-laroche before finally taking off at Saint-Cloud for his first Parisian test. It was also the first time he took the lead early.

He led them to the final straight and simply took off to score by two lengths over Marouche (Dalakhani), who took some time to find momentum, and a fast finishing Aztec Warrior (Soldier Hollow), two and a half negth further down.

Bred by Aga Khan, Dalvini was paid only €3,000 by his former and actual trainer Alain de Royer Dupré at the Arqana July sale last Summer. It looks rather cheap considering he's a brother of Sheema Classic (Gr1) winner Dolniya (Azamour), whose dam Daltama (Indian Ridge), who left racing a maiden,; is however a sister to champion performers Daylami (Doyoun) and Dalakhani (Darshaan)!

BIG BROTHERS PRIDE (F2), FRA by Invincible Spirit ex Polygreen (Green Tune)
Prix des Terroirs de France (Unraced 2yos, 1,200m), October 16, Chantilly

Owners : King Hung Kei & Qatar Racing
Trainer : François Rohaut
Breeders : Écurie des Monceaux, Framont Ltd & Beauregard Bloodstock
Rider : Pierre-Charles Boudot

Ahead early, favourite Big Brothers Pride (Invincible Spirit) took off two furlongs out and scored easily by two lengths over a pleasant Siyak (Siyouni), slightly outpaced at one stage but coming back fast eventually, and Ursus Arctos (Kodiac), who stayed on for 3rd 2 1/2 lengths behind.

Big Brothers Pride is out of Polygreen (Green Tune), a Wertheimer & Frère-bred mare soled at Deauville in December 2015 for €200,000 in foal to the winning filly. At that time, she was 16 and even though she'd already given the good flyer/miler Listed-winner Evaporation (Red Ransom), her best foal was only a weanling, Polydream (Oasis Dream) went on to win the Shadwell Prix du Calvados (Gr3), finish 2nd in the Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1), and take the Prix du Palais-Royal (Gr3) and the LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr1) at 3!

A very good deal for Écurie des Monceaux, who bought Polygreen and sold the filly twice her dam's tag at €400,00 in Deauville to Meridian Bloodstock & David Redvers.

VADAVAR (C3), FRA by Redoute’s Choice ex Vadapolina (Trempolino)
Prix de la Salle du Sycomore (Maiden 3yo colts and geldings, 2,000m), October 12, Chantilly

Owner : H.H. Aga Khan
Trainer : Alain de Royer Dupré
Breeder : Haras de S.A. Aga Khan
Rider : Nicolas Larenaudie

An eventful finish as Vadavar (Redoute’s Choice), one of the 2 unraced colts in the field, alsmost lost a well deserved victory as he veered left when his rider whipped him about one furlong out. the race seemed all bu lost as Vadavar had just taken the lead after a patient ride, but he found the energy to recollect himself and get back what was his, collaring Tennessee Song (Youmzain) by the post to score by half a length.

Vadavar is out of the good Vadapolina (Trempolino), winner of the Prix Cléopâtre (Gr3) and Psyché (Gr3) form a Lagardère family, the one tracing back to Vadlamixa. She has already given Veda (Dansili), a Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 - Gr1) second behind Avenir Certain.

After Vadavar, Vadapolina foaled Vananndi (Siyouni) and a Nathaniel filly.

CREATIVITY (F3), FRA by Motivator ex Kirkinola (Selkirk)
Prix de la Salle du Sphinx (Maiden 3yo Fillies, 2,000m), October 12, Chantilly

Owner : Qatar Racing
Trainer : Mikel Delzangles
Breeder : Yeguada de Milagro
Rider : Jeremy Moisan

It was a sixth trial for Creativity (Motivator) since her March debut, and her 4th visit on the podium after two defeats at Vittel and Niort over slightly longer distances.

In midpack throughout, Creativity foundher way easily in the middle of the course and went away withour true challenge to the post. Cabo Real (Camelot) finished fast from way behind while a front-running Hokkaido Kiss (Orfevre) veered left in the end, possibly interfering with Recover Me (Fastnet Rock), who still beat her for 4th place.

Bought €38,000 by David Redvers at Arqana October sale, Creativity has a yearling brother by Lope de Vega for asle at Newmarket only 5 days after the filly's first win …

Kirkinola (Selkirk), their dam, won the Critérium de l’Ouest (L) at Craon, while her own dam Spinola (Spinning World) won at 2 a Newmarketthe Cherry Hinton Stakes (Gr2). It is a versatile family as the 5th dam foaled a Haydock Park Sprint Cup (Gr1) and Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr1) winner in Cherokee Rose, and the dam of Molesnes, who won the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (Gr2) over much longer distances at Longchamp.

SO UNIQUE (F2), FRA by Siyouni ex Truly Blessed (Street Sense)
Prix Barquette (Maiden 2yo Fillies , 1,600m), October 11, Saint-Cloud

Owner : Mrs. James Norton
Trainer : Nicolas Clément
Breeder : Thierry de la Héronnière & Emmanuelle Morin
Rider : Stéphane Pasquier

Outpaced most of the way for her ParisLongchamp debut over 7 furlongs, So Unique (Siyouni) was ridden more aggressively this time and she amanged to hold on to the wire, as the beginner Watch Me (Olympic Glory) was finally giving up only to lose the second place to Ouzala (Dansili) in the dying strides, as Astonished (Reliable Man) was finishing fast in 4th.

So Unique was bought for €70,000 at Arqana August 2017 sale by Tina Rau and Nicolas Clément, now her trainer. She was consigned by her co-breeder Thierry de la Héronnière's stud farm Haras d’Ellon. She's out of Trully Blessed (Street Sense), a winner at 2 at Châteaubriantwho finally changed hands twice in the following Winter, only to get back to one of her breeders, Michel Zerolo, son co-éleveur, who claimed her for €21,550, against the original €17,000 tag.

She gave No Speed Limit (Elusive City), then So Unique, a colt by Excelebration and an Intello filly.

So Unique's 3rd dam is the good mare Marie de Ken (Kendor), a family Bader-bred who won the Prix Fille de l’Air (Gr3) before foaling Ana Marie (Anabaa), 2nd in the Prix Vermeille (Gr1) and a Prix de Diane (French Oaks-Gr1) third.

`AHESTA BERO (C2), GB by Dubawi ex Wedding March (Dalakhani)
Prix Victrix (2yo maiden colts and geldings , 1,600m), October 11, Saint-Cloud

Owner : Godolphin SNC
Trainer : André Fabre
Breeder : Godolphin
Rider : Mickaël Barzalona

One of the 4 unraced colts in the race, Ahesta Bero (Dubawi) immediately took the lead and was never approached in the last straight, winning by a comfortable 4 lentghs margin over stablemate Roman Candle (Le Havre), a pleasant finiosher who had been patiently ridden.

Wedding March (Dalakhani), Ahesta Bero's dam, had cost £300,000 to the Maktoums at Tattersalls as a yearling. A winner of the ever sought after Prix de la Cascade with André Fabre for Darley, she went straight to the Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1) and finished 4th. Even though she never reached such a level afterwards, she was still a very promising broodmare as a filly out of Prix Corrida (Gr2) winner Elopa (Tiger Hill), who is also a sister to the globe-trotting Groupe 1 performer Epalo (Lando).

After Ahesta Bero, Wedding March gave a Dubawi filly.

VISION DU PUY (F3), FRA by Vision d’État ex Fontaine Guerard (Homme de Loi)
Prix Beaurepaire (3yo Fillies unraced over jumps, Hurdles 3,600m), October 10, Auteuil

Owner : Haras du Puy
Trainer : Dominique Bressou
Breeder : Haras des Sablonnets et Hervé de Talhouët-Roy
Rider : Morgan Regairaz

4th most of the way, Vision du Puy (Vision d’État) went ahead as they were going off the final bedn and jumped the two last hurdles alongside Coup de Maître (Masterstroke), on whom she took 15 lengths in the run-in, while Coup de Maître herself passed the post with 7 lengths to spare over the field.

Vision du Puy was puchased €17,000 by agent Pierre Boulard at the Arqana Autumne sale in 2016 as a yearling.

Vision du Puy is the 11th foal out of Fontaine Guerard (Homme de Loi), winner of two races at 3 with Dominique Sepulchre. She also foaled Fontfroide (Trempolino), winner of 4 races including two over hurdles with the Prix Achille-Fould (L), and the Listed-winner Fontcia (Enrique). Since Vision du Puy, Fontaine Guerard gave a Barastraight colt in 2018. Fontaine Guerard is also a full sister to Maredsous (Homme de Loi), winner of the Grand Prix de Nantes (L) and 2nd in the Prix de Flore (Gr3) but also dam of Red Dubawi (Dubawi), winner of the Premio Vittorio di Capua (Gr1) in Italy.

FARINET (G3), FRA by Lord du Sud ex Mendy Tennise (Kadalko)
Prix Isopani-AQPS (3yo AQPS beginners over jumps, Hurdles 3,600m), October 4, Auteuil

Owner : Magalen Bryant
Trainer : Yannick Fouin
Breeder : Jean-Marie Callier
Rider : Johnny Charron

Second in May at Vichy in a flat AQPS (non-thoroughbreds) race for trainer Guy Cherel, then 5th again at Vichy in the Critérium du Centre (Gr3 AQPS), Farinet (Lord du Sud) quickly took his place behind the leader Fil Conducteur (Racinger) and didn't leave that trail until early in the last straight, as he even looked a bit outpaced going off the bend. The other Magalen Bryant horse Filup (Cokoriko) had indeed pushed forward going into the last turn and the field took some time to adjust. However, it was rather the favourite Fly Smart (Day Flight), going to the 2nd last with apparent ease, who looked the best by then, only to be held off by a resolute Farinet, who finally won by two lengths.

Farinet's dam, the maiden mare Mendy Tennise (Kadalko), was bred by Jeannine and Bernard Provot in Nièvre. Her first foal Santorine (Della Francesca) gave Coo Star Sivola (Assessor), who won a handicap at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival.

Jean-Marie Callier, Farinet's breeder, took Mendy Tennise to the sire he'd set up at his own stud farm in Saône-et-Loire, Lord du Sud, and so Farinet was born. He had also mated the dam that very sire the previous season, and two times since, getting fillies every year.

Mendy Tennise is a sister to Jimmy Tennis (Vidéo Rock), an AQPS Prix Djarvis Chase winner at Auteuil before leaving for UK, where he won the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (Gr2). he never quite confirmed that though.

SAUKANNE (G2), FRA by Shakespearean ex Dayaniguas (Commands)
Prix Joyeux Drille (Unraced 2yo colts & geldings, 1,500m), October 2, Maisons-Laffitte

Owners : Carlos et Yann Lerner
Trainer : Carlos et Yann Lerner
Breeders : Jacques Chapet et Josette Sarti
Rider : Fabrice Véron

Very hot finish here with four colts fighting all the way to the post. Eventually, the only gelding in the race, Saukanne (Shakespearean) won by a head. It was far from done when they ran past the grandstands as the leader Shawaf (Mukhadram) seemed to have gotten away with it, only to be caught 100 yards from home to finish 4th. Amilcar (Wootton Bassett) had squeezed through and took a very short lead for a while but Saukanne still managed to beat him on the wire.

Bred by the Head family, the winner's dam Dayaniguas (Commands) ran 8 times but couldn't make the frame only once, even in claimers or over hurdles. She was sold to Josette Sarti after her 3rd race, a claimer. Mrs Sarti is Saukanne's co-breeder.

Yet Dayaniguas is out of Diatara (Sillery), winner of three races over the flat and hurdling for the Heads, and a sister to Goldtara (Gold Away), winner of the Prix La Moskowa (L), 2nd in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (Gr2) and 4th in the Prix Royal-Oak (French Leger-Gr1).

OFF THE COAST (F2), (IRE) by New Approach ex Lakuta (Pivotal)
Prix Tahiti (Unraced 2yo fillies, 1,500m), October 2, Maisons-Laffitte

Owner : James Wigan
Trainer : Freddy Head
Breeder : London Thoroughbred Services
Rider : Aurélien Lemaître

Off the Coast (New Approach) started well and was held behind the leader Lucky You (Poet’s Voice). She made her move inside early in the straight and seemede to struggle a bit at one stage but she stayed on gamely and finally took over quite easily in the last furlong. Soon outside the leaders, the 2nd-placed Noor Sahara (Lope de Vega) looked outpaced but managed to get ion with it only to finish a good length behind the winner.

Off the Coast is out of Lakuta (Pivotal), twice a winner and the dam of two winners. She's also a sister to the champion Moonlight Cloud (Invincible Spirit), three times winner of the LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr1) and a winner of the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois (Gr1) for trainer Freddy Head.

Lakuta foaled an Intello filly this year.

EPISTROPHY (F2), FRA by Charm Spirit ex Cheriearch (Arch)
Prix de l’Aunette (2yo maiden fillies, 1,400m), October 1st, Chantilly

Owner : Masao Ogawa
Trainer : Satoshi Kobayashi
Breeders : Oceanic Bloodstock, Ariane Gravereaux et OTI Management
Rider : Fabrice Véron

A good, resolute 4th for her debut at Compiègne over the mile, Epistrophy (Charm Spirit) showed some progress over 7 furlongs going close to the pace once again : she took over the favourite and pacesetter Zenagh (Mizzen Mast), finally 2nd beaten 3/4 of a length in front of a closing Lucky Doe (Dawn Approach).

Epistrophy cost €100,000 to Japanese owner Masao Ogawa at Arqana October sale in 2017. She's out of the Listed winner Cheriearch (Arch), who scored thrre times for Spanish trainer Luis Urbano Grajales, including in the Prix La Sorellina (L) over the La Teste mile.

DROIT DE PAROLE (C2), (IRE) by Toronado ex Campina (Oasis Dream)
Prix de Vaublanc (Maiden 2yo colts & geldings, 1,400m), October 1st, Chantilly

Owners : Scuderia Waldeck, A.&G. Botti et Elisa Berte
Trainer : A. & G. Botti
Breeder : Team Hogdala
Rider : Pierre Bazire

Third for his 6f debut at Maisons-Laffitte, beaten over a length by Munitions who won again since, Droit de Parole (Toronado) finished well on that day after leading along the rail. For this 2nd test, over a longer trip, he followed the leader, took over early in the straight and fought back the favourite Nordic Fire (Dream Ahead), 2nd at 1 1/2 length.

Droit de Parole was sold €47,000 at Deauville by breeder Team Hogdala and the Sundstroms to Morna McDowall, who sold him again a year later at Arqana for €75,000. His yearling Mastercraftsman brother goes to the Arqana October sale in a few days.

Campina (Oasis Dream), Droit de Parole's dam, won once in Germany. She has been sold by Anna Sundstrom's Haras de Coulonces last Winter for €25,000 to Marco Bozzi in foal to Dabirsim. She 's the sister of a German Listed-winner  and both are out of another Listed-winner-, Castilla (Spectrum), sister to Waajib (Try My Best), a Gr2 winner at Royal Ascot, and to Loxandra, who gave Loxias, Keltos and Krataios.