Greffulhe: Onesto is back on track

May 8, 2022, Saint-Cloud Racecourse (Hauts-de-Seine). - One of the most impressive maiden winners in 2021, at 2 for his debut, Onesto (Frankel) had just come back this season with a pleasant trial in Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3) over the mile. The favourite here was the filly Agave (Dubawi), who was unbeaten in three runs, including a commanding Prix Pénélope (Gr3) last time out on the course and distance of this Prix Greffulhe (Gr2), where fillies seldom participate.

The Juddmonte homebred travelled in 4th position, behind the British raider Sir Bob Parker (Siyouni), who was leading alongside Haya Zark (Zarak). Onesto was running last after being strongly held by Stéphane Pasquier behind a slow field.

Haya Zark made his move first in the final turn and held on bravely until one about when Sir Bob Parker, and then Agave took over Agave, the filly staying on to beat her rival by a neck. But the race was already gone: Onesto came from last to first in a dash and won by 2.5 lengths for owners Jean-Pierre and Jean-Étienne Dubois, Ecurie Hunter Valley, Haras d’Étreham, Ecurie Billon, Ecurie ELAG, trainer Fabrice Chappet and bloodstock agent Hubert Guy.

When second in his second run last season, in the Prix Arazi (Class 2), Onesto was beaten by Welwal, winner of the Prix de Fontainebleau this term. The form holds!

Onesto was sold as a yearling for £185,000 at Tattersalls and then at Ocala in Florida at the breeze-up sales, for $535,000, to Hubert Guy. It is a Juddmonte Farms bloodline, as the second-placed Agave, since Onesto is by Frankel and his third dam is no other than Kerali (High Line), the dam of Hasili, who gave Dansili, Banks Hill... The dam and the second dam of Onesto never ran.

Onesto's sister by Australia was withdrawn from Goffs' Sportsman Sale last season in Ireland.

A Gleneagles filly was born in 2021.