€80,000 Greffulhe (Gr3): Wootton Verni the toughest on the day

Sunday, May 5, 2024, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris) - With only four runners in the €80,000 Prix Greffulhe (Gr3), a crucial prep race four weeks ahead of both the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1) and the Epsom Derby (Gr1), the drama was less about the quantity and more about the quality. Notably, none of the competitors are entered in the English classic. All three colts in the race are, however, slated to compete in the Chantilly classic.

The quartet was quickly galvanized under the drive of the favourite, Sunway (Galiway), who set a brisk pace from a long way out. Leading into the final straight and hugging the rail, Sunway looked to have sealed the race but was soon challenged by Casapueblo (Le Havre) and then by Wootton Verni (Wootton Bassett), with the latter clinching victory by a neck. Casapueblo secured third place, less than a length behind, with a 15-length gap to the fourth-placed Cornélienne (Golden Horn).

Despite finishing fifth in the Prix La Force (Gr3) on his seasonal debut, the 2023 Critérium International (Gr1) victor Sunway didn't entirely reassure here, yet his tenacious defence after such an early surge offers hope for a strong performance, should he make it to Chantilly. His ultimate rally to retake second place on the post, clocking the fastest time over the final furlong after setting a demanding pace, suggests he hasn't yet found the finishing burst needed at this level.

Not to be underestimated, Wootton Verni, bred by Thierry de la Héronnière and Salabi Racing and representing the colours of Jean-Pierre Dubois and Jean-Claude Séroul, was snapped up for €175,000 at the Arqana yearling sales by FR Bloodstock. His dam, Vernie (Kendargent), a single race winner at Deauville over the all-weather at three, is a sibling to group winners Volta (Siyouni) and Calvados Blues (Lando). Vernie has since produced a 2-year-old filly by Le Havre and a St Mark's Basilica yearling filly after Wootton Verni.

Wootton Verni kicked off his career with a win at Lyon-Parilly at two before a disappointing run in the Jouvenceaux et Jouvencelles (L) at Vichy over 7 furlongs. Following a three-month break, he returned last autumn with a fourth-place finish at Parilly, then strung together three wins from November to February across Borély, Vivaux (AWT), and Chantilly, moving from 1¼ miles down to 9 furlongs. After placing second in the Prix Maurice Caillault (L, AWT), he sealed his authority here.