Corrida: Ebaiyra climbs another step

Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Saint-Cloud Racecourse (Hauts-de-Seine). - Winner for her comeback of the Prix Allez France Longines (Gr3) at the beginning of May, Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor) reached a new level this Wednesday by winning the Prix Corrida (Gr2). Her rider Christophe Soumillon modelled his trip on that of Raabihah (Sea the Stars), whom he had beaten already at the start of the month at ParisLongchamp. The jockeys made sure to use a new strip of turf that was spared in the first three races on the day, in an unually wet May in Paris. The acceleration was gradual. Cristian Demuro, defending Sheikh Hamdam al Maktoum's stable with Raabihah, was the first to reach stands' side bushes, supported by Amarena (Soldier Hollow) to his left. 2 out, Ebaiyra came out and as soon as she was well balanced, the race was over. She left Raabihah at over a length, without being pushed any further. No Limit Credit (Night of Thunder) finished third.

Ten years ago, the exceptional mare Sarafina (Refuse to Bend) offered her trainer Alain de Royer Dupré a fourth Prix Corrida in six years. The series began with Pride in 2006, the daughter of Peintre Célèbre became a Group 1 winner a month later in the Saint-Cloud Grand Prix. That same year, she ended her career with two wins at the highest level, first at Newmarket and then at Sha-Tin. In 2007, Mandesha (Desert Style) made her comeback and already had star status thanks to her three Gr1 victories. In 2009, two years before Sarafina, Alpine Rose (Linamix) won the Prix Corrida before taking second place in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) ahead of Youmzain. It was at the end of August in Deauville that she won the Grail in the Prix Jean Romanet (Gr1).

Homebred by the Aga Khan, Ebaiyra is out of Ebiyza (Rock of Gibraltar), a Prix de Royallieu (Gr2) winner who also foaled Edisa (Kitten’s Joy), a Prix du Conseil de Paris (Gr2) second. A More Than Ready filly and another one by Medaglia d’Oro were born after Ebaiyra.