July 2021 Maiden winners

ROSE PREMIUM (f2), (IRE) by Dark Angel ex Rosie’s Première (Showcasing)

Prix du Pont aux Biches (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,300m/6.5F), July 14, ParisLongchamp

• Owners: Jean-Claude Seroul, Haras du Logis Saint-Germain & Mbaye Niang
• Trainer: Frédéric Rossi
• Breeder: Noir et Or Élevage
• Rider: Cristian Demuro

Second for her debut at Chantilly over 5.5F behind the well-regarded Lovamour, beating subsequent winner Sunday Best, Rose Premium (Dark Angel) won here by one and a half-length over a green beginner, Agrigan (Siyouni), who also seemed quite green here.

Two and a half-length behind came the 3rd-placed Quarantini (Belardo), who got the best trip along the rail.

Rose Premium is a sister to Louliana (Acclamation), a Listed-winner and Group3-placed, and the 1st foal out of Rosie’s Première (Showcasing), sold in foal to Churchill for €140,000 and exported to UK before her two first foals made it to the ring. Rose Premium, bought like her elder sister by MAB Agency (Marc-Antoine Berghgracht), made €160,000 at the Arqana yearling sales.

 

KHAN (g2), FRA by Sea the Moon ex Sweet Enough (Platini)

Prix du Puits de l’Ermite (Maiden 2-year-old colts & geldings, 1,300m6.5F), July 14, ParisLongchamp

• Owner: Écurie Victoria Dreams
• Trainer: Jean-Philippe Dubois
• Breeder: Boris Batchourine
• Rider: Augustin Madamet

Second to the well-regarded Trident for his debut on the same course and distance, Khan (Sea the Moon), gelded since March, won this time after travelling alongside the leading Balnikhov (Adaay) and holding off the good finisher Super Khali (Shalaa) at a short head, but confidently.

Balnikov stayed on in third while the favourite Scottish Anthem (Lope de Vega) was never in contention after a bad start.

Khan was sold as a weanling for €21,000 to Broadhurst Agency (Laurent Benoît) at the Arqana Breeding sale, when consigned by Haras de Saint-Arnoult. He's out of a German family. His dam Sweet Enough (Platini) had also been sold as a yearling at Baden-Baden for €9,000. She gave three foals, with Khan being the second before a Seabhac colt consigned at La Teste Osarus sale next September.

 

ANCIENT ROME (c2), USA by War Front ex Gagnoa (Sadler’s Wells)

Prix de Granville (Maiden 2-year-old colts & geldings, 1,500m/7.5F), July 13, Deauville

• Owners: Michael Tabor, Westerberg, Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier
• Trainer: André Fabre
• Breeders: Orpendale, Chelston, Wynatt
• Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Ancient Rome (War Front) won all the way but nevertheless only kept his rivals at bay, holding off the Wertheimer homebred Touristic (Frankel) to the wire.

Ancient Rome is out of Gagnoa (Sadlers’s Wells), a winner of the Prix des Réservoirs (Gr3) for trainer Yves de Nicolay and Aleyrion Bloodstock Ltd who was moved to André Fabre for Coolmore. She then won the Prix Pénélope (Gr3) but was beaten in the Saint-Alary (Gr1) by Belle et Célèbre, in the Diane (Gr1) by no other than Zarkava, and in the Irish Oaks by Moonstone and Ice Queen, also for a Coolmore partnership

At stud, she gave Galateia (Dansili), Listed-placed and dam of handicap performer Grande Vadrouille (Smart Strike) or Etoile (War Front), own sister to Ancient Rome, a Gr3-winner in Ireland. Gagnoa is also a 3 parts sister to the last French Derby winner Pour Moi (Montjeu).

 

TIMES SQUARE (f2), FRA by Zarak ex See You Always (Siyouni)

Prix de la Reine Mathilde (Maisen 2-year-old Fillies, 1,500m/7.5F) July 13, Deauville

• Owner: Allan Belshaw
• Trainer: Christophe Ferland
• Breeder: Times of Wigan LTD
• Rider: Maxime Guyon

Times Square (Zarak) faisait partie des inédites de cette épreuve et elle a galopé dans le dos des animatrices avant de s’allonger pour une victoire nette d’une longueur et demi. Elle domine Lacuna (Shalaa), déjà placée lors de ses débuts.

Origines Aga Khan pour ce fils de Zarak, athlétique fils de Dubawi (Dubai Millenium) et Zarkava (Zamindar). Times Square est son premier gagnant en France. Zarak est un lauréat de Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Gr1), il a affiché complet pour ses trois premières saisons de monte. 

Côté maternel, encore une famille de l’élevage Aga Khan puisque sa mère est une fille de Siyouni. Difficile de faire mieux que Siyouni (Pivotal) qui chaque année nous livre des champions comme en 2021 avec le 3 ans St Mark’s Basilica qui a remporté coup sur coup la Poule d’Essai des Poulains, le Jockey Club et les Eclipse Stakes.

See You Always est restée inédite et Times Square est son premier produit à fouler la piste, avec succès. Elle est passée trois fois sur le ring des ventes sans succès jusqu’à la quatrième aux ventes d’élevage 2020 où elle a été adjugée 9 000€ à Agence BHB. 

 

ZELDA (f2), FRA by Zelzal ex Hortensia (Orpen)

Prix Ventre Saint Gris (Unraced 2-year-olds, 1,200m/6F), July 9, Saint-Cloud

• Owners: Infinity Nine Horses, Ecurie Castillon Bloodstock, Ecurie Jeffroy

• Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

• Breeders: SCEA des Prairies, Ecurie Castillon Bloodstock, B. Jeffroy, T Jeffroy

• Rider: Coralie Pacaut

Owned by NBA star Tony Parker, Zelda (Zelzal) easily won first time out in 1’14’’53 over 6 furlongs, beating the supplemented De Valera, another Zelzal juvenile who seemed to have made a difference 2 furlongs out.

A good result for Zelzal (Sea The Stars) on the week of the Prix Jean Prat (Gr.1), which he won in 2016. Now standing at Haras de Bouquetot for Al Shaqab Racing, Zelzal now counts 8 runners and 3 wins and 4 places.

 

On the dam's side, it is the family of Gr1 winner Vale Of York. Hortensia (Orpen), Zelda's dam, was bought by EARL Haras de Mandore for € 15,000 in February 2015. Her first foal, by Olympic Glory was also sold to Morten Buskop Bloodstock for € 63,000 at the 2017 yearlings sales and then in Hong Kong for € 160 000.

Chez Pierre (Mehmas) was so sold twice: for € 25,000 as a yearling in 2019 to Laura Vanska, and € 100,000 at the Summer Sale to NBB Racing. Now owned by Mac Roy Jackson Jr, he's unbeaten in three races.

 

RUBAUD (g3), FRA by Air Chief Marshall ex Fulgence (Cardoun)

 

Prix Margouillat (Maiden 3-year-olds, 3,000m/15f), July 9, Saint-Cloud

• Owners: SAS Racing D, Olivier de Seyssel

• Trainer: Philippe Decouz

• Breeders: Philippe Decouz, SCEA du Bas Bugey

• Rider: Ronan Thomas

In this stayers' maiden race, Rubaud (Air Chief Marshall) made his move halfway down the straight and took over the favourite La Templière (French Fifteen). The winning sire Air Chief Marshal (Danehill Dancer) stood in France until 2017 and was then moved to Ireland. Rubaud is out of his last French crop.

Fulgence (Cardoun), Rubaud's dam, was bred by the Rothschilds and mostly ran for them. A consistent filly, Fulgence made the frame many times before entering stud to foal 6 products, including three runners. Two won. Francin, Rubaud's full brother, also started his career over the fat with Philippe Decouz and won ridden by Ronan Thomas, like his younger brother. He has been exported to Ireland since then and is now a jumper. Trained by Willie Mullins, he won twice over hurdles.

 

WAGGAD (c2), FRA by Al Wukair ex Orayda (New Approach)

Prix de Rochefort (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,200m/6F), July 7, Chantilly

• Owner: Al Shaqab Racing

• Trainer: André Fabre

• Breeder: Al Shaqab Racing

• Rider: Hugo Besnier

   

Unraced and supplemented by André Fabre, Waggad provided his sire Al Wukair (Dream Ahead) his first success in Paris. The slowest out of the stalls, Waggad nevertheless came back in the race quickly enough to stay in touch with the field. His rider Hugo Besnier kept him along the rail to get the colt to learn his trade and he responded, fighting his way to the fore against Dieppe (Dream Ahead) who had already run on this course on June 21st. It was close call and the 3rd place goes to Perfect Color (Ultra) at 3 lengths.

Thanks to Waggad (Al Wukair), Al Shaqab Racing keeps the flow of homebred winners streaming with already 34 wins this season as a breeder, also promoting the home sire, the Marois winner Al Wukair. Waggad is part of his first generation with the fillies Curaro Light (M. Guarnieri) and Al Wakrah (S. Brogi), who have already won. Al Shaqab Racing had paid £200,000 for Al Wukair as a yearling at Tattersalls. Waggad's dam Orayda (New Approach) was secured privately by Al Shaqab's Haras de Bouquetot and never ran. Yet she gave two winners at stud with Barsham (Olympic Glory) and Salt Lake (Olympic Glory). Waggad is her 4th foal.

 

MATHLETIC (c2), FRA by Kingman ex Manerbe (Unbridled's Song)

Prix du Fossé la Coque (Unraced 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,400m/7F), July 7, Chantilly

• Owner: Ecurie Ama. Zingteam

• Trainer: André Fabre

• Breeder: Haras des Monceaux

• Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

André Fabre saddled the two first colts home here as Mathletic (Kingman) beat Never Dies (No Nay Never). Mathletic ran with the leading group and his rider started to push him 2 out to take the lead within the last furlong while his stablemate came wide to challenge him to the wire. Oshakty (Dabirsim), ridden closer to the pace, finished well in third.

Mathletic is out of the US-bred Manerbe (Unbridled’s Song), who also ran in the States. As a yearling, Manerbe was sold to Haras des Monceaux for $ 200 000 at Keeneland. She was imported into Normandy and all of her offspring were sold through Arqana.

The first one, Marbre Rose (Smart Strike), was unsold at €95,000. A Gr3-placed in the USA, she made her dam's offspring more fashionable. After Gidu (Frankel), sold for €410,000, Aviatress (Shamardal) made €450,000. Aviatress won the first time out and eventually also took a ParisLongchamp Listed contest. In 2021, Manerbe gave a Siyouni colt.

 

DANCINGINTHESTREET (f2), FRA by Churchill ex Miss Cato (Notnowcato)

Prix de la Butte Blanche (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,400m/7F), July 7, Chantilly

 

• Owners: Ecurie Haras du Cadran & Ecurie Patrick Klein

• Trainers: Carlos et Yann Lerner

• Breeders: Ecurie Haras du Cadran & Ecurie Patrick Klein

• Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Dancinginthestreet (Churchill) is the sixth juvenile saddled this term by Carlos & Yann Lerner and the 4th winner of the stable. She was kept within the field to beat one of the leading runners, Saving Grace (Almanzor), while the 3rd-placed Diva Victoria (Recorder) finished fast, coming from the rear. 

It was first runner, and a first winner for Coolmore sire Churchill. Haras du Cadran and Patrick Klein, the breeders of Dancinginthestreet, bought his dam Miss Cato (Notnowcato) Stateside, at Keeneland in 2013, in foal to More Than Ready. her first colts were sold at Arqana: the More Than Ready colt made €150,000 when purchased by Mandore International, and the following Lope de Vega for €80 000 to Tina Rau. Dancinginthestreet was unsold at € 60,000 as a yearling in 2020.

 

ALASTOR (c3), (IRE) by Helmet ex Frasque (Iffraaj)

Prix du Val d’Enfer (Maiden 3-year-olds, 2,000m/10F), July 4, Saint-Cloud

• Owner: Mag Horse Racing Srl
• Trainer: Gianluca Bietolini
• Breeder: Legendary Rent Club
• Rider: Vincent Cheminaud

Third in the Italian Derby (Gr2) for his 4th outing in May, Alastor (Helmet) was nevertheless still a maiden going into the Roman Classic. Six weeks later, the Mag Racing-owned colt made amends in style over 10 furlongs against 7 rivals mostly inexperienced. The Gianluca Bietolini-trained Classic-placed followed the front runner Prince des Dunes (Prince Gibraltar), and then held off his best challengers Quartilla (Elusive City), who was boxed in for a while, and Vazir (Siyouni), who had moved first and never gave in.

Finally, 2.5 lengths separated the winner from the 2nd-placed Vazir, with Quartilla third at a good length, five other lengths ahead of the field.

Alastor was bought for € 38,000 at Osarus by Marco Bozzi. His Rock of Gibraltar brother made €16 000 last October at Arqana, and was bought there by bloodstock agent Guy Petit, who put him in training with Richard Chotard in the South. The dam Frasque (Iffraaj), a winner at 2 at saint-Cloud, was sold € 5,000 only, in foal to Fas, last December at the Deauville breeding sale. A Recorder colt was born in 2020.

 

SERIDO (c3), GER by Air Force Blue ex Superb (Arch)

Prix du Pré Catelan (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,300m/6.5F), July 1st, ParisLongchamp

• Owner: Gestut Fahrhof
• Trainer: Mario Hofer
• Breeder: Gestut Fahrhof
• Rider: Eddy Hardouin

Finally, it is over 6.5 furlongs that Serido (Air Force Blue) found his way to victory. The colt trained by Mario Hofer started over a short mile at  Düsseldorf in August and wasn't seen again before June 2021. On the day of his comeback, Serido discovered the ParisLongchamp "toboggan", the other name for the Nouvelle Piste, which he seemed to like after a good trip behind the leader.  He beat Sparklia (Dark Angel) by a head, even though she had long looked like the best in the race.

Bred in the North of Germany between Bremen and Hamburg, Serido hails from a globe-trotting family. His 2nd dam Sweetheart (Mr Prospector) was first trained by Christiane Head-Maarek. Winner for her debut, she never won again in France and was exported to the USA and found life again at Saratoga. Withdrawn from the November 2012 Keeneland sale, she gave a Group winner in Macao, Sweet Band (Dixieland Band). However, her Arch yearling Superb was unsold at Keeneland at $95 000.

Two years later, Superb, Serido's dam to be, was again in a catalogue and was sold for $110,000. Serido (Air Force Blue), born in 2018, and his dam again shom up on a ring, at the 2019 Arqana Breeding sale: Gestüt Fahrhof buys her back for € 3,000. Same venue a year later, Superb is sold for € 7,000 to FBA. Her filly Sukaraja (Animal Kingdom), Serido's sister, is also in the same auction and sold for  €2,000 to Ursula Toole.