€250,000 Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1): Los Angeles wins a tough fight

Sunday, October 22, 2023, Saint-Cloud Racecourse (Hauts-de-Seine). – The conclusion of the 2023 edition of the €250,000 Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) left little room to breathe as three Irish contenders found themselves locked in battle with the only French involved in the final struggle, Ramadan (Le Havre). Despite the gallant efforts of Nurlan Bizakov's charge, the finish, after 1 mile and 2 furlongs, saw Los Angeles (Camelot) just nosing ahead of Islandinthestream (Wootton Bassett), who was narrowly bested by favourite Illinois (Galileo), with Ramadan agonizingly close, a neck off the podium places.

Under the guidance of filly Shiffrin (Olympic Glory), with Ramadan and Illinois in close pursuit, the future victor, Los Angeles, maintained a strategic fourth, slightly adrift. Going into the final straight, Los Angeles sought advantage along the stands' rail, alongside, from rail to track centre, Islandinthestream, exhibiting an outward surge, Ramadan and Illinois. The ensuing duel persisted till the finish post, with Los Angeles ultimately securing prime honours from Islandinthestream, who had momentarily looked like a potential winner.

A mere 49 days after an impressive introduction at Tipperary, this was Los Angeles's second outing. Los Angeles's third dam, Allez les Trois (Riverman), is a sister to the celebrated Urban Sea, also the dam of classic winner Anabaa Blue and second dam of the good miler Tamayuz. She also gave Violante (Kingmambo), dam to the commendable Impulsif (New Approach) and the unraced Frequential (Dansili), secured by BBA Ireland for a neat 48,000 £ from Godolphin in 2017, in-foal to Hector de Maris (Camelot), a Group 3-placed and sibling to Los Angeles. Their recent kin, sired by No Nay Never, fetched a worthy 150,000 £ under the Tattersalls hammer, spotted by Avenue Bloodstock.