€135,000 Tredern 4&5yo Fillies and Mare Hurdle (Gr3): Julietta Ghia's drive was too strong

Saturday, 15 June 2024, Auteuil Racecourse (Paris). - One of the last Group races of the spring at Auteuil, the €135,000 Christian de Tredern 4&5yo Fillies and Mares Hurdle (Gr3) is a hurdle race exclusively for 4- and 5-year-old fillies and mares. Royale Milady Has (Chœur du Nord) was the favourite following two Listed victories and a 6th place in the Prix Léon Rambaud Hurdle (Gr2) two months earlier. Though she initially struggled, she recovered to secure 3rd place. The 5-year-old AQPS Julietta Ghia (Kamsin) led the race from start to finish, marking her return to hurdles after winning the Prix Ginetta II, an AQPS steeplechase. This was her first Group-level attempt over obstacles, having won the Prix Yves d’Armaillé (Gr3-AQPS) over the flat at Moulins. The second favourite, Athena du Luy (Martaline), always in her wake, secured a clear 2nd place, one and a half lengths behind the winner.

The winner's dam, Vernal Bird (Khalkevi), also bred by Mrs Christian Cealy, won over fences at Auteuil for the same colours. She is also the dam of Ischia (Saint des Saints), a hurdle winner at Moulins, and the unraced 4-year-old filly Kassiope (Ectot), along with the 2-year-old filly Merano Magico (Montmartre), also unraced. Vernal Bird is a sister to Cosi fan Tutte (Fragrant Mix), 3rd in the Merano Champion Hurdle (Gr1).