€130,000 Gros-Chêne: Game Run finds out right trip

Sunday 4th June 2023, Chantilly Racecourse (Oise). - Having been through claimers and handicaps, Game Run (Olympic Glory) clinched this €130,000 Prix du Gros Chêne (Gr2), ridden by Marvin Grandin, showing in passing that the shortening of the distance suited him perfectly.

In a rhythmic race, this Patrice Cottier trainee waited in midfield, then accelerated to take over the British raider Get Ahead (Showcasing), who looked like a potential winner after coming along the rail. Nevertheless, she redeems herself after her failure in the Prix du Petit Couvert (Gr3) last year. The 3-year-old Marshman (Harry Angel) performed very well against his elders and ranks third. The winner equalled the race record held by Tour to Paris (Fuissé), winner in 2020, in 55''81.

Haras de Saint-Julien bred game Run. He has gone through the Arqana sales twice. Presented by Haras du Petit Tellier, he was sold for €16,000 to Marc Pimbonnet at the October yearling sale, before being bought back for €4,500 by the latter at the February mixed sale. His dam, Shortfin (Exceed and Excel), never raced, and Game Run is her third foal. Her older one, Satisfied (Elusive City), also won a sprint. Presented at the 2021 breeding sale, she was bought back by Stéphane Wattel for €77,000. She gave birth to an Almanzor filly in 2022.

Game Run's third dam is none other than the good Juddmonte mare Wemyss Bight (Dancing Brave), winner of the Irish Oaks (Gr1), the Prix de Malleret (Gr2) and second in the Prix Vermeille (Gr1). This is the family of Martaline, Coastal Path, and Reefscape, better known for their endurance, but also of Oasis Dream and Zenda, the dam of Kingman.