€80,000 Eclipse (Gr3): Electrolyte hangs on to the line

Saturday, September 21, 2024, Chantilly Racecourse (Oise). - Five colts and five fillies lined up to start in the 6f straight course of the €80,000 Prix Eclipse (Gr3). Setting off at a blistering pace, Electrolyte (Hello Youmzain) and Jungle Drums (Bungle Inthejungle) took the lead with Sir Tommy Cen (Dark Angel) on their outside and behind them, Fraise des Bois (Zelzal) and the two Wertheimer runners, Polyvega (Lope de Vega) and Imparable (Lope de Vega). Gradually, Electrolyte got the better of Jungle Drums. Still, Polyvega moved forward in the middle of the track and challenged him to the line, only to be beaten by a nose, thanks to an unfavourable stride. Fraise des Bois stayed on well for third, a good length behind, while Epson Blue Cen (Blue Point), who came from a long way back with her wide draw in stall 10, finished well in 4th, 2.5 lengths further back.

Electrolyte was bred in Great Britain, where he was sold as a yearling for £72,000, then at Goffs UK, for £220,000, at the breeze-ups last April, to Blandford. He is the brother of Calderon (Lope de Vega), Gr3 winner at 4 years old over 9f. The dam Bibury (Royal Applause) is a maiden winner on the all-weather at Lingfield. She is also the sister of the Ascot Gold Cup (Gr1) and Champions Long Distance Cup (then a Gr3) winner Rite of Passage (Giant's Causeway). The 4th dam is none other than the great Dahlia.

Bibury was covered by Cracksman in 2023 after a year without a foal.