11 May 2021
Photo scoopdyga.com
Tuesday, May 11th, 2021, Chantilly Racecourse. - Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) was the last winner of the Prix de Guiche (Gr3) trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, in 2016. For his comeback after 199 days off, Makaloun (Bated Breath) won the 2021 renewal of this potential prep race for the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1), on June 6.
Today, Makaloun was assisted in his task by his stablemate Veldeni (Exceed and Excel), ridden by Coralie Pacaut. led the field and moved out entering the last straight, leaving an open road for Makaloun to ride. He only had to switch legs as Fort Payne (Rio de la Plata) tried to build some sort of challenge. Merely pushed away by Christophe Soumillon, Makaloun won by half a length, beating Millebosc (Le Havre), already second on this racecourse in April for his seasonal bow. Fort Payne (Rio de la Plata) finished third.
Alain de Royer Dupré had trained Makaloun's dam, Makana (Dalakhani), but Jean-Claude Rouget coached his second dam, Marasima (Barathea). Winner of her only race, at Bordeaux in 2006, she foaled also Markazi (Dark Angel), a Prix Omnium II (L) winner in 2017, later sold €140,000 at Arqana.
Makana was also sold for in foal to Anodin for €14,000 to Jan Krauze, who could not sell her last year in foal to Territories at €160,000.
After Worth Waiting (Prix Minerve 2018) and Cairn Gorm (Prix de Cabourg 2020), also out of a Dalakhani mare, Malakoun provides Bated Breath a 4th Group win in France. Before his Critérium de Saint-Cloud 3rd place, Makaloun had also won the Prix de Condé (Gr3).