15 May 2022
Photo scoopdyga.com
May 15, 2022, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris). - A promising third for her seasonal return in the Prix de la Grotte (Gr3), Mangoustine (Dark Angel) scored in the real thing as the French filly won the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr1) beating a tough Newmarket 2,000 Guineas winner Cachet (Aclaim).
Steered by Gérald Mossé, who should soon start a new career as a trainer, the filly is owned by Infinity Nine Horses, former NBA player Tony Parker's stable, associated with Écurie des Monceaux, Qatar Racing Ltd and Alexandre Giannotti. She travelled outside the field led by Cachet and Who Knows (Siyouni) and kept going to the wire, finally getting the better of a brave Cachet, a neck ahead of Times Square (Zarak), always spotted behind the leaders, while the tote favourite, the Prix de la Grotte-winner Rosacea (Soldier Hollow), failed to accelerate again after a bumpy ride inside.
It was Mangoustine's 5th run and her 4th win, a first at Gr1 level. It was also her second run of the season and for Chantilly trainer Mikel Delzangles, also trainer of her dam's sister Flotilla (Mizzen Mast), a Breeders’Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Gr1) winner. Like her, Zotilla (Zamindar), Mangoustin's sister, 5th in her only race, is out of Louvain (Sinndar), a Listed-placed in France and a Gr3 winner Stateside. Mangoustine was bought for € 46,000 at Arqana. Last december, her older, unraced sister was sold in foal to Galiway and fetched €120,000, paid by Arthur Hoyeau and Infinity Nine Horses. Like her, Mangoustine was bred in France by Écurie des Monceaux, Lordship Stud and Qatar Bloodstock Ltd.
THEY SAID...
Tony Parker (co-owner of Mangoustine, 1st)
"It is a huge result for us. It is one of the top races in France and winning it in out second season is huge. I wish to thank everybody. We will see how she returns, but the dream is definitely on now."
Mikel Delzangles (trainer of Mangoustine, 1st)
"It wasn't the trip we were hoping for but she didn't seem to mind. Last year, there was an issue about her stamina. Would she stay the mile? But even with such a difficult trip she showed us that she did. She was tough and needed to be to win this. The British raider hung on to the post. It is a great filly. But I don't think she will stay further. I made the mistake to run her aunt (Flotilla, also a French 1,000 Guineas winner) in the Diane and I won't do that again?"
Henri Bozo (co-breeder and co-owner of Mangoustine, 1st)
"She's a very good filly and that's about it... She's now won 4 of her 5 races. Mikel got her spot on for this and she's had a good race for her return without being 100% ready. He knew exactly where he was going and the filly's preparation went very smoothly. It is a great result for everybody at the Stud. She was sold at Deauville, where we bought out a partner and created a new partnership for her. It's great to win with partners such as Qatar Racing, Alexandre Gianotti and Tony Parker: some are newcomers, others have been around for a while ... This is all we are working for!"
Georges Boughey (trainer of Cachet, 2nd)
"It is once again an amazing run, only two weeks after her Guineas win. She had to do all the work in front and it's never an easy task. At one stage, I thought that she wouldn't stay on but she came back again in the end, which is outstanding. James rode her perfectly from a tricky draw. I am convinced she will once again win a big one. Now off to the Coronation Stakes at Ascot!"
Christophe Ferland (trainer of Times Square, 3rd)
"I would have signed for a third place before the race. Yet, I think that with a softer ground, she would have done even better. However, this a great result for Times Square. Her below par return is behind us now. In the morning, she had worked very well and we wre not that concerned by this poor race. The plan is now more than ever a tilt at the Prix de Diane Longines. She's a true Group 1 filly, and showed it last season when she finished 2nd in the Prix Marcel Boussac. Time Square only confirms that from."
Stéphane Wattel (trainer of Rosacea, 4th, and Who Knows, unplaced)
"I have not seen the race again but her rider told me that she'd been bumped entering the last straight..."
Yann Barberot (trainer of Daisy Maisy, 5th, and Sicilian Defense, 7th)
« Daisy Maisy runs very well. The ground was probably a bit too firm for her liking. She did well though, was true to her form, but we got beat nevertheless... As for Sicilian Défense, the pace wasn't strong enough. She's a very speedy filly and needs more pace."