2 June 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
Pelligrina (Soldier Hollow) was the least experienced runner in the Prix de Royaumont (Gr3), winner of her only start on the 13th of May. The filly of sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, whose colours had already passed the post in front earlier in the afternoon with Aspetar, won well. She finished strongly, two and a half furlongs ahead of Malevra (Le Havre) et Je Ne Regretterien (Galileo).
The race
How they ran
1st – Pelligrina: Held up at the rear of the field. Made steady headway early on in the straight with a dream run up the rail. She switched round the fading leader, fighting for the lead 400m from the post. Burst through the pack to hit the front at the 300m mark and continued to put daylight between her and the pack. Won well, two and half furlong ahead of the second horse.
2nd – Malevra: Made her run behind the Aga Khan’s front horse, Sagama, before making her move 600m from the post. Lost her chance at victory when she could not match Pelligrina’s acceleration in the straight, but stayed on well nevertheless, fighting off Je Ne Regretterien courageously.
3rd – Je Ne Regretterien: Settled in third, close to Malevra. Also failed to compete against Pellegrina in the straight, but found herself fighting Dariyza for the position, the latter fading quickly. Stayed on one pace to finish third, a length and a quarter behind the runner up, Malevra.
4th– Eliade: Travelled at the rear of the pack, came in fourth, three lengths behind Je Ne Regretterien. Never any impression.
5th – Psara: Broke well, settled in the middle of the pack but outpaced when they quickened in the straight. Stayed on one pace on the rail. Finished 5th.
6th - Burning Victory: Travelled in last position, weakened as the pack quickened in the straight, to finish 6th .
7th – Dariyza: Settled in fourth position, improved going well two out before weakening badly to finish 7th.
8th - Sagama: Made her run as the front horse. Still at the head of the pack 400m from the post but soon outpaced by the other runners.
Reactions
Pierre-Charles Boudot (jockey of Pelligrina, 1st)
"It was great what she achieved today. It has added to the promising start in her career. She’s a filly with a lot of stamina who appreciated the good pace today. She quickened well to take the lead, but a looked around a bit when she hit the front. She’s a really nice filly, that has good progress ahead of her.”
Bertrand Le Métayer (representative of cheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, owner of Pelligrina, 1st)
"The credit of this victory goes to Mr Fabre who knew how to overcome the hurdles. Pellegrina has a good temperament, she’s a nice and relaxed filly with a lot of stamina. It was a particularly sweet success as she was a homebred.”
Alessandro Botti (trainer of Malevra, 2nd)
"She’s a filly we always thought a lot of. The only time she ran badly was my fault: I told the jockey not to go ahead and, because the pack was going slowly, it all went badly. She has run better being made more use of in the race. If she recovers well, she could go to the Oaks in Italie (Gr2) before coming back here in Septembre. Otherwise, we’ll wait in Deauville.”
Roll of honour
2019 Pelligrina F3 2’25’’99 P.-C. Boudot A. Fabre Cheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani Malevra Je Ne Regretterien
2018 Pollara F3 2’32’’57 O. Peslier F.-H. Graffard Mme Ilse Smits Waldlied Contessa du Barry
2017 Kitesurf F3 2’29’’62 M. Barzalona A. Fabre Godolphin Snc Bébé d'Amour Lady Paname
2016 The Juliet Rose F3 2’41’’22 S. Pasquier N. Clément Mayfair Speculators/Equifrance Al Wathna Armande
2015 Kataniya Ire F3 2’30’’42 C. Soumillon A. de Royer Dupré S.A. Aga Khan Sea Calisi Ame Bleue
2014 Savanne Ire F3 2’32’’89 P.-C. Boudot A. Fabre Gestüt Ammerland Ball Dancing Zarshana