April 2022 maiden winners

WALKING PAINTING (g3), GB by Siyouni ex Embiyra (Tamayuz)

Prix Kashmir II (Unraced 3-year-old colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m), April 29, Saint-Cloud

• Owner: SARL Ecurie J.L. Tepper
• Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
• Breeder: Samuel de Barros
• Rider: Cristian Demuro

The gelding Walking Painting (Siyouni), Bibi Dream (Dream Ahead) and Shenko (Kingsalsa) led the race until 3 furlongs. From then on, Walking Painting and North Sound (New Bay), another gelding, who had passed the field in a dash, took the lead for a moment but was still beaten on the wire. North Sound had been paid £400,000 as a yearling at Tattersalls by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock. The third-placed Edifiant (Wootton Bassett) finished 11 lengths behind!

By leading French sire Siyouni (Pivotal), Walking Painting also hails from an Aga Khan-managed bloodline broodmare, Embiyra (Tamayuz). His Gleneagles sister Aveta won in England. The third dam Ebaziya (Darshaan), a triple Listed-winnr and a Groupe-placed, gave birth to 13 runners, seven winners and six black-type performers, four Gr1 winners including the Queen's Estimate (Monsun), a Gold Cup-winner at Royal Ascot. Some of her daughters also gave Group winners ...

Embiyra was sold at the 2021 Arqana Breeding sale, when Whitehorn Bloodstock invested €30,000 in this mare consigned by La Motteraye Consignment. In the same sale, Walking Painting's Blue Point brother was bought for €78,000 by Margaret O’Toole while Walking Painting himself was spotted by Jean-Claude Rouget at the 2021 selection Arqana sale and went to €120,000 to get him. The most recent sale of a sibling to Walking Painting was that of the elder sister Aveta, sold at Tattersalls in February, at 4, for £14,000 to Tower House Bloodstock.

 

SUN FLARE (f3), GB by Exceed and Excel ex Rose et Or (Iffraaj)

Prix Praline (Unraced 3-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1m), April 29, Saint-Cloud

• Owner: Godolphin SNC
• Trainer: André Fabre
• Breeder: Noir et Or Elevage S.A.
• Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

The fillies went slower than the Prix Kashmir II fillies: 1’43’’63 against 1’43’’46. There was also a heavy favourite, who'd just dominated a schooling race, that is Sun Flare (Exceed and Excel), who led from pillar to post and won by four lengths being only pushed away. In The Mood (Adlerflug) and Twofortea (Temple City) filled the placings at 4 lengths. Sun Flare is in the Prix de Diane Longines.

She's out of Rose et Or (Iffraaj), a dual sprint winner at Maisons-Laffitte. Rose et Or is a sister to the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) winner Coquerelle (Zamindar) and to Prix du Lys (Gr3) winner Spring Master (Mastercraftsman). Third dam Luth de Saron (Luthier) finished fourth in the 1980 Prix de Diane before entering stud, giving 9 winners in France and the USA.

The family has given many black-typed performers, he,ce the €280,000 offered by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock for Sun Flare at the Arqana October sale in 2020. It was the third-highest bid in the sale. The Muhaarar brother was bought by Daniele Zarroli for €15,000 a year later at the same venue.

 

VAGALAME (c3), IRE by Lope de Vega ex Solilea (Galileo)

Prix Empery (Maiden 3-year-old colts & geldings, 2,100m/10.5f), April 29, Saint-Cloud

• Owners: Wertheimer & Frère
• Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias
• Breeders: Wertheimer & Frère
• Rider: Tony Piccone

Entered in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club and the Grand Prix de Paris, Vagalame (Lope de Vega) did well in both his races in 2022, even though he was unable to score. Third for his return over the all-weather, then second on the turf, he was twice beaten by highly-regarded foes, such as L’Astronome (Frankel), who bat him by a nose and is bound to run in the Classic Trial Prix Greffulhe (Gr3).

Favourite in this maiden -his fifth run in total-, Vagalame travelled well covered behind the front-running Martial Art (Attendu) and moved forward in the straight to win by almost 2 lengths without looking quite extended. He beat Athabascan (Almanzor) and Blues Rock (Fastnet Rock) in 2’22’’02.

Vagalame is out of Solilea (Galileo), a consistent runner who gave the Listed-winner Solsticia (Le Havre). The second dam is no other than the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud (Gr1) winner Plumania (Anabaa), from a great family managed by the Wertheimers. The winner's sister Solania (Zoffany) won for 3-year-old debut in 2021, and then there a 2-year-old filly by Shamardal named Plumma, also trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias.

 

HIDDEN DIMPLES (f3), IRE by Frankel ex Manderley (Clodovil)

Prix Nobiliary (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 2,100m/10.5f), April 29, Saint-Cloud

• Owner: Ecurie Ama.Zingteam
• Trainer: André Fabre
• Breeder: Coolmore Stud
• Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Hidden Dimples (Frankel) showed a lot of stamina to keep Honguemare (Le Havre) in check until the end. She had travelled close to the pace behind La Mandola (Manduro). Third for her debut at 2, Hidden Simples finished again in the second post for her return behind the promising Santa Giulia (Shalaa). Out since then Hidden Dimples was coming back here and showed that she had matured since then. As for Honguemare, she waited at the rear and sprinted home but couldn't quite make the ground up to the winner, who beat her by half a length. Supplemented, Avenue Niel (Helmet) finished third at 2 lengths.

Hidden Dimples' dam is a full sister to the sire Gregorian (Clodovil), four times a Group1-placed including the Prix Jean Prat and the Queen Anne Stakes, and a Group winner in Britain. She's also the sister of Naval Warfare (Born to Sea), a black-type performer in Australia.

Hidden Dimples is a full sister to Mrs Frankel (Frankel), twice placed Stateside, and a 2-year-old filly. She also has two Galileo sisters in Cruise Control and Meeting.

It is a successful family at the sales. Hidden Dimples's dam Manderley (Clodovil) was sold as a yearling in 2012 for £150,000 to Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock by Rathasker Stud, where she was bred and where Gregorian is based now. Mrs Frankel made €280,000 at Goffs in 2019. Cruise Control €73,000 a year later, again at Goffs. Meeting was bought by Avenir Bloodstock for €155,000 in foal to No Nay Never at Arqana. In 2021, Hana Jurankova bought her in foal to Hello Youmzain for €65,000.

 

PERCY SHELLEY (c3), GB by Sir Percy ex She’s Gorgeous (Acclamation)

Prix de Viroflay (Maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings, 1,850m/9.25f), April 22, ParisLongchamp

• Owners: John Johnstone, Adrian Pratt, Lord Clinton
• Trainer: Stéphane Wattel
• Breeder: Johnstone Partnership
• Rider: Maxime Guyon

Percy Shelley (Sir Percy) opened his account for his third trial. It was expected since he had already finished second twice, for his debut at Clairefontaine at 2 and for his return this season, early this month at Saint-Cloud. Ridden in 4th position behind the leader Woozle (Areion), Percy Shelley made his move about 500 yards from home, outpacing the favourite Ashghar (Wootton Bassett), who had been trailing him and finished well but could not catch up with the winner, who was still 2 1/2 lengths ahead of him on the wire. Yet Ashgar beat the front-running Woozle by a neck.

Percy Shelley is the 2nd foal out of She’s Gorgeous (Acclamation), who had won two races and was placed seven times in Britain. His 3rd dam North East Bay (Prospect Bay) is the dam of 6 winners including Prince Bishop (Dubawi), who started his career in France with André Fabre, won the Prix du Conseil de Paris (Gr2) and joined Saeed Bin Suroor to win the 2015 Dubai World Cup (Gr1).

Percy Shelley was unsold at £30,000 at the Tattersalls 2020 October sales. At that time, Prince Bishop had also been consigned to Tattersalls and bought for £80,000 by Meadowlands Bloodstock Svcs.

 

ACQUABELLA (f3), FRA by Iffraaj ex Anthracite (Redoute’s Choice)

Prix de Verneuil (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 1,850m/9.25f), April 22, ParisLongchamp

• Owners: Francoise Delaunay, Michel Delaunay, Free Man Racing, Octave Migneco.
• Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
• Breeder: Ecurie Haras de Saint Vincent
• Rider: Cristian Demuro

After her pleasing debut at Saint-Cloud earlier this month, the favourite Cantilena (Dubawi) disappointed a bit, finishing 5th after being a bit keen. Acquabella (Iffraaj), however, did not miss her return. Beaten half a length by Mqse de Sévigné (Siyouni), a recent winner of the Prix Vanteaux (Gr3), she held that form today. Spotted in the rear, she came by entering the last straight and beat Task (Mastercraftsman) by a head. Kintana Blue (Pedro The Great) had travelled along the rail within the field and finished well to finish 3rd at half a length. The final time is 2'' longer than that of the colts' race won by Percy Shelley. Yet Aquabella went from 7th to first in the final 2 furlongs in only 22’’15, which is 1 full second faster than Percy Shelley. The sectional timing report shows that Nola (Siyouni) went from 8th to 4th in the 2nd last furlong to finish only a good length behind the winner.

Acquabella's family hails from the good mare Fragrant Hill (Shirley Heights), a dam of six high black-type performers. Her dam Anthracite (Redoute’s Choice) was unraced, but she was out of Alpine Rose (Linamix), a very consistent performer at the highest level who won the Prix Jean Romanet (Gr1) in 2009 a few weeks after finishing 2nd ahead of Youmzain (Sinndar) in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) won by Spanish Moon (El Prado). At stud, her most recent offspring did well, with for example the 2-year-old Santa Giulia (Cloth of Stars), who's just opened her account at Chantilly. The 2012 Galileo filly, Highest Ever, also never ran but she gave three outstanding fillies: Villa d’Amore (Mastercraftsman), Rose d’Etoile (Zoffany) and Joie de Soir (Fastnet Rock), a Listed-winner, also placed in Group 3 and 2 races, including a 2nd place in the Prix de Pomone.

Acquabella has for a US Navy Flag sister named Live by Night who's been exported to Japan. 

None of the Anthracite foals made it to the sales, but her sister Highest Ever's offspring proved very popular there. Rose d’Etoile made £600,000 at Goffs 2021 Breeding sales. BBA Ireland, who bought her, had also purchased her sister Villa d’Amore the year before for £290,000. Highest Ever had been the 2nd most expensive of Alpine Rose's offspring at the sales at the 2013 yearling sale at €1m, paid by M V Magnier. At Arqana, Alpine Rose and her offspring made €3.4m altogether.

 

KALOUKA (g3), FRA by Saint des Saints ex Kalikova (Irish Wells)

Wild Monarch Poulains 3-year-olds Hurdle race (3-year-old colts and geldings unraced over jumps, 3,000m/1m7f, Hurdles), lundi 18 avril à Saint-Cloud

• Owners: Géraldine Reille-Villedey, Butel & Beaunez
• Trainers: Butel & Beaunez
• Breeder: Haras d’Étreham
• Rider: Thomas Beaurain

Always travelling well behind the leaders, including The Dude (Bobby’s Kitten), Kalouka (Saint des Saints) made his move going out of the bend and dominated the field in the run-in, leaving Prince Chope (Vale of York) to snatch 2nd place from The Dude at two lengths. Melgarry (Ballingarry) finished well behind and got 4th place in front of one of the market's leaders, Jeune Roi Bleu (Buck’s Boum), long spotted along with The Dude.

4 of the 12 runners couldn't finish the race on the ground rated very soft.

Kalouka was sold for only €4,000 at Arqana's Summer sale last year to his trainers, Patricia Butel and Jean-Luc Beaunez. The next Autumn at the same venue, Haras d’Étreham was selling his dam, the unraced Kolikova (Irish Wells), barren, for €20,000 to Yorton Farm. It all sounds pretty cheap now, bearing in mind that Kolikova is out of the champion filly Kotkita (Subotica), winner of the Cambacérès 3-year-olds Hurdle race (Gr1), and also the dam of Kotkikova (Martaline), winner of the Ferdinand Dufaure 4-year-olds Chase (Gr1) at Auteuil…

 

SPANISH INTENT (f3), GB by Acclamation ex Panzanella (Dansili)

Prix Phebe (Unraced 3-year-olds, 1,400m/7f), April 18, Saint-Cloud

• Owner: Succ. Khalid Abdullah
• Trainer: Henri-François Devin
• Breeder: Juddmonte Farms
• Rider: Coralie Pacaut

An easy win, from start to finish, for Spanish Intent (Acclamation). She passed the post with 2 1/2 lengths to spare over Opalus Road (Goken), who came from behind to beat the favourite Haziym (Lope de Vega).

The winner had been entered as early as August 2021, then again on March 1st, and had been twice taken out at the second last stage. Homebred by Juddmonte, she never went to the sale, and her dam was withdrawn twice in 2012 and 2020. It is also in December 2020 at Tattersalls that Frisella (Frankel), a sister to Spanish Intent, was sold for £ 320,000 to Yohea (Anne-Sophie Yoh), in foal to No Nay Never (the resulting colt was born in February 2021). Like her dam Panzanella (Dansili), Frisella won only once but Panzanella is a sister to the great Kingman! she had also given a winner of two races, Ricetta (Camelot), who failed to make it in America.

 

EXXTRA (f2), FRA by Starspangledbanner ex Rolling Stone (Raven’s Pass)

Prix Memorandum (Maiden 2-year-olds, 900m/4.5f), April 18, Saint-Cloud

• Owner: Anja Wilde
• Trainers: Carlos et Yann Lerner
• Breeder: Isabelle Corbani et Jedburgh Stud
• Rider: Ronan Thomas

Second for her on the course and distance 16 days earlier, over 4 lengths behind the impressive Goeva, Exxtra (Starspangledbanner) wasn't far ahead of Mqse de Maintenon (Muhaarar) that day. This time, however, she left her to settle for 4th place at almost 5 lengths. She followed the beginner Funny Money Honey (Bungle Inthejungle) by the stands' side rail until the last furlong and then picked up to score by about one length while on the far side, Rosie Rocket (Sioux Nation) was winning "her" race after having finished 5th behind Hoeva, Exxtra and Mqse de Maintenon.

Exxtra was bred by Isabelle Corbani and Jedburgh Stud, who sold her at Arqana for € 26,000 at the 2021 October sales. They had bought her dam in foal at Goffs, for €33,000 through bloodstock agent Paul Nataf. The two former foals out of the maiden Rolling Stone (Raven’s Pass) were placed in Italy. The dam is out of the good Rolly Polly (Mukaddamah), winner of a Prix Robert Papin (Gr2) at 2 before being imported from Italy by the Wildensteins. She went on to win 2 Gr3s in the States. She's also the second dam of Raging Bull (Dark Angel), a Group1 winner in the USA.

 

MANHATTAN JUNGLE (f2), IRE by Bungleinthejungle ex Skylight (Acclamation)

Prix du Premier Pas (Unraced 2-year-olds, 1,000m/5f), April 13, Chantilly

• Owners: Daniel Macauliffe, Anoj Don & Lemos de Souza
• Trainer: Amy Murphy
• Breeder: Patrick F. Headon
• Rider: Tony Piccone

Offered at 31/1 against the French favourite at 16/10 Belbek (Showcasing), the British filly Manhattan Jungle (Bungleinthejungle) came all the way from Newmarket to take the lead shortly after the start and score by three lengths over Gauss (Shalaa), who came by the Stands' rail, a brave Super Star (Anodin) racing in the middle of the turf course, and a closing Denver Chop (Vale of York), who failed by a head for third place. The favourite ended 8th.

Manhattan Jungle and Gauss were drawn respectively 4 and 3 in a field of 14 beginners.

The winner was bought at Goffs in September for € 20,000 by pinhooker Lemos de Souza, who finally kept her in training. She's the third foal out of Skylight (Acclamation), a winner on all-weather for her sixth and final appearance, in November at 2 at Lingfield. She then gave two winners in Italy sold for €1,600 and €12,000 before Manhattan Jungle.

It is a French family all the same since the second dam is a Wertheimer homebred named Swingsky (Indian Ridge), winner at Le Mans for her final trial and sold for £35,000 at Tattersalls in 2005.

 

SWOOSH (f3), GER by Adlerflug ex Soudaine (Monsun)

Prix de Chaillot (Unraced 3-year-old Fillies, 2,100m/10.5f), April 10, ParisLongchamp

• Owner: Gestüt Schlenderhan
• Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
• Breeder: Gestüt Schlenderhan
• Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Exactement like her stablemate Alerio in the Juigné, the filly Swoosh (Adlerflug) started early to win this Prix de Chaillot. With her difficult 6 draw, she was pushed along to take the lead after about two furlongs and led alongside one of the race's favourites, Plumage (Dubawi), who tried to outstay her early in the straight. On the contrary, Swoosh not only overtook her but also ran away in the final straight to win by a length on the hand. Qitura (Muhtathir) closed from the rear in second, a length ahead of a pleasant Baiykara (Zarak) and Authoritaire (Tamayuz), who always ran next to the leaders but seemed to need some time to reach momentum.

Swoosh is not entered in the French classics. She's a full sister to Grand Prix de Deauville (Gr2) winner and German Derby (Gr1) second Savoir Vivre (Adlerflug), from the family of the champion filly and mare Stacelita (Monsun). Her own sister, a 3-year-old maiden, was sold for € 28,000 to J D Moore at the BBAG HIT Sale last year.

 

ALERIO (c3), GER by Adlerflug ex Amazona (Dubawi)

Prix Juigné (Unraced 3-year-old colts & geldings, 2,100m/10.5f), April 10, ParisLongchamp

• Owner: Gestüt Schlenderhan
• Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
• Breeder: Gestüt Schlenderhan
• Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Supplemented in this beginners’ race, Alerio (Adlerflug) travelled by the field led without any rush by another supplemented runner, Sirius Black (Reliable Man), who had also taken part in a school race. Moved out before the beginning of the last straight, the Gestüt Schlenderhan German-bred started a long, sustained effort which took him to the fore at full speed as the leaders were only gaining momentum. The colt finally won on the bit by almost two lengths over the front-runner Sirius Black, who fought well to keep the closing favourite Mount Hotham (Australia) at a short neck, just in front of Azureus, long-held behind the leaders along the rail at the decisive point.

Alerio is not entered in the French classics. His dam Amazona (Dubawi) is a Group 3 winner in Germany, out of the German Oaks winner Amarette (Monsun), also the second dam of Alson (Areion), placed in the Grand Critérium (Gr1) and the Poule d’Essai (French 2,000 Guineas, Gr1), a winner of the Critérium International (Gr1) too.

Alerio’s 2-year-old sister, Aristocrazy (Kingman), is in training with Gavin Hernon.

 

QARASHA (f3), GB by Nathaniel ex First (Highest Honor)

Prix Cicarelle (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 2,400m/1m4f), April 8, Saint-Cloud

• Owner: Nurlan Bizakov
• Trainer: André Fabre
• Breeder: Hesmonds Stud Ltd
• Rider: Olivier Peslier

Qarasha (Nathaniel) did not show much for her debut at Saint-Cloud in March but she was still the favourite here and proved to be a completely different proposition two weeks after her first trial. Ridden in front with Sothis (Wootton Bassett), she never gave in and even accelerated again going off the bend over a very soft ground. Secret Sky (Camelot) came from the rear to run a promising last straight and take second place. This granddaughter of Sleepytime (Royal Academy), a One Thousand Guineas winner at Newmarket, only failed at three pârts of a length. However, behind these two fillies. Take Me Away (Martinborough) finished third at 6 lengths, after fighting Ultra Bright (Ultra) to the post. The final time is 2’51’’94.

Sire of Enable, Channel or Mutamakina, Nathaniel (Galileo) is really generous with his daughters. Qarasha's dam, First (Highest Honor), won the Prix Cérès (L) and is now 23. She gave a full sister to Qarasha in 2021. She gave the Listed-winner Perfect Stride (Oasis Dream), an Australian Group 2 winner Au Revoir (Singspiel), the Listed winner Law Lord (Diktat), a Group 3-placed Among Equals (Oasis Dream) and the Prix Casimir Delamare (L) winner Qazyna (Frankel). Nine of her foals were winners.

The second dam Pushy (Sharpen Up) also foaled 13 winners including Bluebook (Secretariat), a Group 3 winner in Britain and a Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (Gr1) 4tg, or Myself (Nashwan), a Group 3 winner.

At Tattersalls, Charles Gordon Watson Bloodstock bought Perfect Stride as a yearling for £440,000. £320,000 were bid by Demi O’Byrne to get Among Equals, as a yearling.  The same amount was paid to buy Au Revoir as a weanling, MV Magnier was the buyer then. The best sale in the family was recorded for First: at 12, she was bought by Charles Gordon Watson Bloodstock for £1.1m.

 

DOCTOR ARI (c3), IRE by No Nay Never ex Virginia Gallica (Galileo)

Prix Amour Drake (Maiden 3-year-old colts & geldings, 2,400m/1m4f), April 8, Saint-Cloud

• Owner: Hubert Guy
• Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
• Breeder: Virginia Gallica Syndicate
• Rider: Cristian Demuro

While the winner Doctor Ari (No Nay Never) took a low profile in running, the favourite Tchakoviev (Shalaa), a pleasant second a month earlier at Fontainebleau, took the lead with Antelope Canyon (Kitten’s Joy) and kept going until the final straight. He then tried to bite his rival and immediately lost his will to race to finish 5th. Antelop Canyon and Fasol (Galileo), along with Martial Art (Attendu), however, kept fighting for the crown but Doctor Ari rushed on the stands' side to finally pip Antelope Canyon by a nose. he hadn't shown that much over Chantilly's all-weather when 5th before. This time, he covered the last furlong in 12’’64, half a second faster than the others. The final time of 2’56’’05 is much slower than the colts' in the corresponding maiden on the card.

Doctor Ari's dam Virginia Gallica (Galileo) is a sister to three black-type performers: Prima Vista (Singspiel) over jumps, Donn Halling (Halling) and Dossier (Octogonal) over the flat. The 2nd dam Papering (Shaadi) was a good performer too, as she was 2nd in the Yorkshire Oaks (Gr1) and the Prix Vermeille (Gr1).

Doctor Ari went twice to the sales. Emrath Bloodstock bought him as a weanling for €52,000 at Goffs and sold him as a yearling at Tattersalls but couldn't find a buyer there at £ 45,000.

 

ROZGAR (c3), IRE by Exceed and Excel ex Roshanara (Sea The Stars) 

Prix de Saint-Lo (Maiden 3-year-old colts & geldings, 1,400m/7f Straight), April 7, Deauville

• Owner: H.H. Aga Khan
• Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
• Breeder: Haras de S.A. Aga Khan SCEA
• Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Placed twice for his debut at Fontainebleau over 7 furlongs and for his come back, again at Fontainebleau over the mile, Rozgar (Exceed and Excel) was favourite for his first trial on the straight. Leaving Montigny (Dream Ahead) take the lead, the Aga Khan homebred was held within the field. 1 1/2 furlongs out, Rozgar made his move. It took him 25''51 to cover the last two furlongs, about the same time as that of the Prix Djebel winner on the same card. He easily defeated Dom Bertrand (Dream Ahead), who had briefly led and finished second at two lengths. The Big Short (Siyouni) travelled in the leading group and held on in third, a head in front of Vif des Aigles (Dream Ahead).

Entered in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains and the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, Rozgar is by Aussie sire Exceed and Excel (Danehill) and the black-type mare Roshanara (Sea The Stars), who did well between 7 and 8 furlongs. Rozgar is the second foal out of the Aga Khan-mare and her first winner. Francis Graffard trains the 2-year-old sister by Fastnet Rock.

Roshanara is out of a full sister to Rajsaman, Rosawa (Linamix), who also gave the good Rosanara (Sinndar), a Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1) winner, and the black type performer Rosanabad (Selkirk).

Roshanara's first foal was an unraced filly, Rizwana (Le Havre), who was consigned barren at the Arqana 2021 breeding sale where Federico Barberini bought her for €10,000. She also gave a Siyouni colt last year.

 

SWEEHEART (f3), FRA by Al Wukair ex Santa Christiana (Danehill Dancer) 

Prix de Gruchy (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 1,400m Straight), April 7, Deauville

• Owners: Antoinette Tamagni, Aleksandra Pusnik, Annemarie Van Gils, Antonia Riegel, Daniela Spuhler, Katherina Dobers
• Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
• Breeder: Haras de Saint Julien
• Rider: Ioritz Mendizabal

Sweetheart (Al Wukair) finished her juvenile season with a second-place after two first races which did not show much. Over Chantilly's all-weather, she took the lead early enough and was beaten in the end. This time, however, she was kept at the rear and she had some trouble finding her way out of the field. Her rider had to steer her out to the stand's side but as soon as she found her balance she produced an impressive acceleration to beat the leading Amiravati (Siyouni) by a good length. Hush Angels (Lope de Vega) finished third at two lengths, a neck only ahead of Fun But Tuff (Territories). The favourite Auctavia First (Recorder) was never a factor. The final time of 1’30’’99 is half a second slower than the colts in the other maiden race on the card.

Sweetheart is out the Haras de Bouquetot sire Al Wukair (Dream Ahead)'s first generation. he already counts about 30 winners.

On the dam side, the two first dams did not do much but the 3rd dam Moon is Up (Woodman) did: her racing career, her pedigree and her offspring really stand out. Her dam is no other than Miesque (Nureyev) and she gave Amanée (Pivotal), a Group 1-winner in South Africa, and Sun is Up (Sunday Silence), the dam of the triple Group 1-winner Karakontie (Bernstein).

Sweetheart's dam Santa Christiana (Danhelli Dancer) was sold at the 2011 Breeding sale for €1,000 to Cocheese Bloodstock. She was unsold ten years later at €5,000. 7 of her foals were sent to the sales and sold from £2,200 to £56,000, but Sweetheart was not. 

 

GALASHIELS (c3), IRE by Australia ex Glenmayne (Duke of Marmalade) 

Prix de Saint-Gatien (Unraced 3-year-olds, 2,500m/12.5f), April 7, Deauville

• Owner: Godolphin SNC
• Trainer: André Fabre
• Breeder: Stonethorn Stud Farms LTD
• Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Wannabe stayers gathered around the favourite Galashiels (Australia), entered in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club. He travelled behind the leader Janella (Myboycharlie) un til the race really started, three furlongs out. At that point, the Aga Khan. homebred Behtar (Kitten’s Joy) came from behind to challenge the leaders and even briefly took the lead. Galashiels replied and signed off with the last furlong covered in 12’’79 to score by half a length. Secession (Almanzor), always in the leading group, finished third while the remainder of the field was well beaten.

Galashiels is the second foal out of the black type mare Glenmayne (Duke of Marmalade) after Sabousi (New Approach), an all-weather winner in Britain.

The second dam Green Castel (Indian Ridge) gave the 2019 champion 2-year-old filly2 ans Millisle (Starspangledbanner) and a total of 5 black type performers.

Most went to Tattersalls. In 2019, Sabousi was consigned by Watership Down Stud and Blandford Bloodstock got him for £105,000. He won only once and was sold again in 2021 for £17,000 to Al Owaidh Racing. In 2019, Glenmayne herself was sold for £180,000 to Oliver Lawrence Bloodstock. As for Galashiels, he was sold to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock for £115,000.

 

REGALIS (f3), FRA by Dubawi ex Baahama (Anabaa)

Prix de Brunehaut (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 2,000m/1m2f), April 6, Chantilly

• Owners: Wertheimer & Frère
• Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias
• Breeders: Wertheimer & Frère
• Rider: Maxime Guyon

Five of the six fillies entered here were also entered in at least one classic race, Manisha (Lope de Vega) being the only one out. Wimborne Minster (Wootton Bassett) took the lead. She was the race's favourite because of her 2nd place in the Prix de la Chapelle for her debut in 2021. She nevertheless faded two out to finish last while the Wertheimer homebred Regalis (Dubawi), who had travelled at her side, kept going and won by three parts of a length. Manisha had been held at the rear and finished well by the field to take the second place, a head in front of Avenue Niel (Helmet).

The winner's dam Baahama (Anaaba) won a Listed race and was placed in a Group 3. She gave two Deep Impact foals who also won a Group 3 each, Bartaba and Stimulation (ex-Akihiro). This is the damline of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winner Gold River (Riverman), Regalis' 4th dam.

Two older sisters to Regalis went to the Breeding sales. French bloodstock agent Guy Petit bought Akhiraa (Frankel) at Arqana in 2020 for €32,000. She gave a Manduro colt in 2021.

 

L’ASTRONOME (c3), GB by Frankel ex Tymora (Giant’s Causeway)

Prix du Pont du Roi (Maiden 3-year-old colts & geldings, 2,000m/1m2f), April 6, Chantilly

• Owner: Al Asayl France
• Trainer: Francis Henri Graffard
• Breeder: Al Asayl France
• Rider: Christophe Soumillon

After a second-place for her debut in October 2021, L’Astronome (Frankel) took his time and only came back seven months later. Held within the field, this favourite let Travis (Recorder) take the lead as Sun Fast (Fast Company) was travelling by his side. Travis, quite keen in the race, finally gave up and Sunfast tried to make a decisive move then, freeing Vagalame (Lope de Vega) in the process. L’Astronome also did find a small space to dig in and both he and Vagalame took off. They fought all the way to the post, which they passed almost together as L'Astronome prevailed by a nose only. Sunfast finished third, two lengths behind, well challenged by Badge (Galileo) to the end. The final time of 2’05’58 is similar to the time the fillies had taken on the same trip. L’Astronome is in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club and the Grand Prix de Paris.

L’Astronome is a brother to Eltezam (Kodiac), a Coventry Stakes (Gr2) placed at 2 and the best foal to date out of Tymora (Giant’s Causeway). The second dam Shiva (Hector Protector) won the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Gr1) at the Curragh in 1999 and gave the Listed-winner That Which is Not (Elusive Quality) and the dam of the dual Group 2-winner Threat (Footstepsinthesand). The 3rd dam is Lingerie (Shirley Heights), the dam of 10 winners from whom originate the Group 1-winners Light Shift (Kingmambo), Ulysses (Galileo), Main Sequence (Aldebaran) or Cloth of Stars (Sea The Stars).

Eltezam is the most successful of Tymora's offspring at the sales as he was bought for £280,000 by Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock at the 2014 Tattersalls October sale. More recently, at the 2021 Breeding sales, Gloryana (Invincible Spirit) was sold for €65,000 to Infinity Nine Horses, the breeding operation of the former NBA player Tony Parker.

 

GOEVA (f2), FRA by Goken ex Evabienchope (Captain Chop)

Prix du Début (unraced 2-year-olds, 900 m straight), April 2, Saint-Cloud

• Owners: Guy Pariente, Philippe Sogorb
• Trainer: Philippe Sogorb
• Breeder: Guy Pariente Holding
• Rider: Christophe Soumillon

3/2 favourite Goeva (Goken) ran away from the field after verging towards the stands' rail at the start. Followed there by three other runners, the Philippe Sogorb-trained filly won by four and a half lengths over Exxtra (Starspangledbanner), who ran very green early on in the other field and still looked a bit lost on her own in the end, while Mqise de Maintenon (Muhaarar) finished third at a neck, having taken the stands' path.

Goeva's sire Goken finished second in this very race, while her dam Evabienchope (Captain Chop) won it in 2017, also for the same connections. Out four months after that,  she ran three times without success, having had a bad experience for her return in the Prix des Rêves d’Or (L) at Vichy. Goeva is her first foal. She had been bought back by Alain Chopard's Haras des Faunes, her breeder, at Osarus as a yearling for € 31,000, but she raced for Guy Pariente, Goeva's breeder. Evabienchope is a sister to the good Action Chope (Muhaymin), a Listed-winner and the dam of Maucaillou (Panis), who won 5 races in Guadeloupe and Martinique, in the French Caribbeans.

 

TRIBALIST (c3), GB by Farhh ex Fair Daughter (Nathaniel)

Prix Brûleur (Maiden 3-year-old colts & geldings, 1,600m/1m), April 2, Saint-Cloud

• Owner: Godolphin SNC
• Trainer: André Fabre
• Breeder: Car Colston Hall Stud
• Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Fifth for his debut at Deauville in October, then third at less than a length of My Fancy in the Prix Herod (L), Tribalist (Farhh) had made his return on the all-weather and would have won hadn't the most impressive Lassaut (Almanzor) come back from oblivion to win in a dash. Rid of such an opponent here, he won very easily by 5 lengths, at 9/10, running away in the final straight. Ashghar (Wootton Bassett) finished second.

Entered in both the Emirates Poule d’Essai (Gr1, French 2,000) and the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1, French Derby), Tribalist was bought for £130,000 at Tattersalls while his sister by Sea the Moon only fetched £20,000 a year later in the same sale. She's now trained in France by her purchaser Gavin Hernon, and it sounds like a clever buy since this is a very rich and lively family. Their dam Fair Daughter (Nathaniel) was unraced but she's a sister to the Racing Post Trophy (Gr1) winner Crowded House (Rainbow Quest), and the page is filled with black-type below...

 

PIZ GLORIA (f3), (FRA) by Lope de Vega ex Astroglia (Montjeu)

Prix Basse Pointe (Maiden 3-year-old fillies, 1,600m/1m), samedi 2 avril à Saint-Cloud

• Ownr: Flaxman Stables Ireland
• Trainr: André Fabre
• Breeder: Succession Stavros Niarchos
• Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

The three first fillies home were already there at the start, led by Of Good Cheer (Dark Angel), and Piz Gloria (Lope de Vega) easily took over one furlong out to score by 3.5 lengths… Always by the front-runner, Ithaque (Oasis Dream), a winner's stablemate at Fabre's, took second place, over a length ahead of Of Good Cheer, Nola (Siyouni), Chachatouille (Dream Ahead) and two interesting closers, Swish (Reliable Man) and the unraced Spicy City (Elusive City).

The 2021 Prix Basse Pointe winner Wooturn won on the same card in a Class 2 race over 7 furlongs. A year earlier, she'd beat Pamouschana, 3rd the following Summer in the Prix de Lieurey (Gr3).

It was the winner's second race. She was unable to accelerate so sharply the first time out, a month earlier over the all-weather, when a promising third nevertheless.

Piz Gloria is out of Astroglia (Montjeu), a Deauville winner in January at 4, for hr 8th and final race and over the all-weather. Her own dam Glia (A P Indy) is a Prix Imprudence (L) winner, second dam to a US Gr1-winner, being out of the great mare Coup de Génie (Mr Prospector)…

Sister to Piz Gloria by Le Havre, Mesospheric, a maiden mare, was sold for  €35,000 at the Goffs 2021 breeding sale to Japanese agent Takaya Kimura. according to the catalogue, Astroglia also has a 2-year-old colt by Almanzor and a Study of Man yearling colt.

 

BO ZENITH (g3), FRA by Zarak ex Boréale du Berlais (Presenting)

Prix Grandak (3-year-olds colts & geldings unraced over jumps, Hurdle race, 3,000m/1m7f), April 3, Auteuil

• Owner: Génétique Obstacle
• Trainer: David Cottin
• Breeder: Gilles Le Baron
• Rider: Félix de Giles

Long led by a runaway Casper de Nonant (Saddex), the race took shape entering the last straight as Bo Zénith (Zarak), always near the pace, moved forward along with other pursuers Blood Destiny (No Risk At All), Jolicœur du Gouet (Jeu St Eloi) and Eden Bleu (Network). The David Cottin-trained finally won easily, by 3.5 lengths, beating Blood Destiny and the favourite David du Berlais (Saint des Saints), who finished well.

Bred by Gilles Le Baron, Bo Zenith is the first foal out of the good Boréale du Berlais (Presenting), twice a Listed-placed at Auteuil over hurdles, once 8 lengths behind the champion filly Kotkikova. The winner was sold for €110,000 to Saubouas Bloodstock at the 2021 Summer Sale in Deauville. His dam had been sold five years earlier, in foal to Saint des Saints, for €210,000 to LJ Negoce. The expected foal was never registered.

Boréale du Berlais is out of the talented Bonita du Berlais (King’s Theatre), herself a sister to the champions Bonito and Nikita du Berlais. After Bo Zénith, she gave a Doctor Dino filly and a Muhtathir colt.

 

LOSSIEMOUTH (f3), FRA by Great Pretender ex Mariner’s Light (Gentlewave)

Prix Géographie (3-year-old fillies unraced over jumps, Hurdle race, 3,000m/1m7f), April 3, Auteuil

• Owners: Susan Haynes-Kellitt, Élevage des Vallons, Yannick Fouin.
• Trainer: Yannick Fouin
• Breeders: Élevage de Vallons, Ian Kellitt
• Rider: Maxime Guyon

It was a quite impressive display by the leading Lossiemouth (Great Pretender), who seemed to take another start after jumping awkwardly the last hurdle on her way to an emphatic, 10-lengths victory over Nuit Bleue Buck’s Boum), who'd been trailing her all the way. South Lodge (Milan), a filly bred by Thierry Cyprès sporting the colours of a young owner, pole jump champion Renaud Lavillenie, finished third ahead of Cinsa (Tirwanako), who should do well in the future.

Lossiemouth is the fourth foal out of Mariner’s Light (Gentlewave). She was unsold at €14,000 at Arqana Autumn Sale in 2020 despite an elder sister who'd already won and the fact that hr dame is a sister to a very good miler, namely the Queen Anne Stakes (Gr1) victor Lord Glitters (Whipper).

After Lossiemouth, Mariner’s Light gave a Pastorius colt.

 

AMELLATA (f3), FRA by Pomellato ex Arctica (Iffraaj)

Prix des Côtes d’Orléans (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,200m/6f straight), April 4, Chantilly

• Owner: Sandro V. Gianella
• Trainer: Henri-Alex Pantall
• Breeder: Appapays Racing Club
• Rider: Maxime Guyon

Third for her debut at Fontainebleau on March 18, Amellata (Pomellato) had finished well from the rear on that occasion. This time, however, she was raced closer to the pace and was running over a distance one furlong shorter. She switched legs at the decisive point and soon took off. Favourite Bolchoï (Dabirsim) tried to keep up but seemed outpaced and finally stayed on to keep second place ahead of Sassica (Dariyan), who stuck to the rail and was only beaten a head.

Amellata is by the German-bred sire Pomellato, based in France at the Haras d’Annebault, a Gr2 winner at 2 who only ran one season over short trips. This Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte (Gr2) gave Kamellata, a Listed-winner and Group-placed, and Another Party, also placed in several Group contests.

Amellata is Frenchbred but she also traces back to German roots. Her dam Arctica was sold at Baden-Baden for €1,500 to Appapays Racing Club, Amellata's breeder, in 2014. Arctica never ran and gave her first foal in 2016, at 4. She was presented to Campanologist, Rio de la Plata, Elvstroem, Pomellato, Guignol and The Grey Gatsby. The 2-year-old Apax (Guignol) is in training with Henri-Alex Pantall. Amellata is hr 4th foal and her 4th winner.

 

FACTEUR CHEVAL (g3), IRE by Ribchester ex Jawlaat (Shamardal)

Prix Pas de Deux (Unraced 3-year-old colts & geldings, 1,600m/1m), April 5, Saint-Cloud

• Owners: Hubert Honoré, Ecurie de la Genetraye, Jérôme Reynier, Alessandro Marconi
• Trainer: Jérôme Reynier
• Breeder: Maccracken Farms
• Rider: Gérald Mossé

The favourite Nikovo (Kingman) had easily won a schooling race but had this time to settle for fourth-place at 6 lengths. Nikovo had followed Facteur Cheval (Ribchester) on a second line behind the leading duo Don Falco (Reliable Man) and Just Run (Silver Frost).

Entering the last straight, the field went outside to the stands' rail. Facteur Cheval took over from then, briefly followed by Copper (Make Believe) before he took off to win by 5 lengths. Copper stayed on in 2nd ahead of Carini (Siyouni) and Nikovo, only separated by a head.

Facteur Cheval is the second foal of the unraced Jawlaat (Shamardal), out of Riqa (Dubawi) and a sister to the Prix de Meautry (Gr3) winner Tantheem (Teofilo). The third dam Thamarat (Anabaa) gave three black-type performers including Motamarris (Le Havre), a Prix du Jockey Club 3rd... The fifth dam Allez Les Trois (Riverman), the dam of Jockey Club winner Anabaa Blue (Anabaa), is a sister to the great Urban Sea.

ASAP Bloodstock bought Facteur Cheval at the 2020 Arqana sale as a yearling for €120,000. Hubert Honoré had bought him as a weanling at Tattersalls for £145,000. His Kodiac brother also went through the ring in October 2021 at Tattersalls where BSW/Crow Euro Venture II went to £180,000 to get him. In 2021, at the Goffs breeding sale, the second dam Riqa, aged 13 and in foal to Kingman, was bought by Barronstown Stud,for £ 550,000.

 

MASCARET (f3), GB by Dubawi ex Daytona Bay (Motivator)

Prix Parade d’Amour (Unraced 3-year-old fillies, 1,600m/1m), April 5, Saint-Cloud

• Owner: Godolphin SNC
• Trainer: André Fabre
• Breeder: Gestüt Ittlingen
• Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Group 1 winners such as Siyarafina won this race, and the favourite here was also an Aga Khan-bred, namely Dereva (Le Havre), who only finished 6th. A blue wave of Godolphin and Wertheimer fillies Mascaret (Dubawi), Cantilena (Dubawi) and Frivole (Anodin) dominated the field and finished in that order, the final margins being 3/4 of a length and a good length. The final time was 2 sec. slower than the colts' race at 1’45’’84. Mascaret is the only one entered in the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) and the Prix de Diane (Gr1, French Oaks).

Mascaret's dam was bred by Gestüt Ittlingen in Germany. Daytona Bay (Motivator) was a Gr3 winner at 3 for her second race and Mascaret is her third foal. The second dam, Daytona (Lando), is a three times Liste-winner in Germany and France and gave two other black typed performers, including Dallas Affair (Soldier Hollow), a winner of La Coupe (Gr3), the Prix La Sorellina (Listed) and the Vase d’Argent (Listed). It is a strong bloodline in Germany where one can spot Donaldson (Lando), a Deutschland Preis (Gr1)-winner, and Diamond Dove (Dr Fong), a Preis der Diana (Gr1? German Oaks) second.

Dayala (Kingman), a sister to Mascaret who had won her second race in Germany before failing at Listed level, was sold at Arqana in 2021 by Gestut Brummerhof for €10,000. Mascaret, however, was bought the first time by Madison Bloodstock at Tattersalls in 2019 as a weanling for £300,000 and went back to the ring at Arqana in 2020, when Godolphin got her for €620,000.