July 2022 maiden winners

ZALACAIN (c2), GER by Camacho ex Zegna (Shirocco) 

Prix du Puits de l’Ermite (Maiden 2-year-old colts & geldings, 1,300m/6.5f), July 21, 2022, ParisLongchamp

Owner: Arturo San Jose Mazariegos

Trainer: I. Elarre Alvarez

Breeders: Philipp & Marion Von Stauffenberg

Rider: Maryline Eon

Zalacain (Camacho)'s win is very European: he is bred by a German duet, owned and trained by Spaniards and was ridden by a French woman at ParisLongchamp! The colt keeps improving after finishing 4th for his debut at La Teste and second at Dax on July 10th. In this small field of 5, the Arturo San Jose Mazariegos-owned colt travelled in 3rd place while the betting favourite Game On (Almanzor) was at the rear. The latter accelerated 2 out and seemed to have outpaced his rivals. Zalacain was soon left trailing the field but recovered and came back by the rail to take a head on Game On at the wire. The supplemented See The Light (Pedro The Great) stayed on in 3rd at almost two lengths, a head in front of Lidisbarn (Johnny Barnes).

By the German sire Camacho (Danehill), Zalacain is about of a family which travelled a lot. His dam Zegna (Shirocco) is a winner in Scandinavia. She's a sister to Zenato (Acatenango), Group-placed in Scandinavia, and Zuider See (Sakhee), a Listed-placed in Britain. One of her sisters foaled Loshad (Lomitas), dam of the Listed winner and Gr3-placed in France Les Vertus (Shakespearean).

Zulacain's sister Zahara (Nayef) was Listed-placed in Sweden at Bro Park.

A few of Zegna's foals made it to the sales in France, Britain and Ireland. Zalacain was sold as a yearling in Germany at BBAG for € 49,000 to Blandford Bloodstock / FLL. A Zarak weanling was also sold for €55,000 to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock at Tattersalls in 2021.

 

LADY FRASQUITA (f2), FRA by Iffraaj ex Sileel (War Front) 

Prix du Pont aux Biches (Maiden 2-year-old fillies, 1,300m/6.5f), July 21, 2022, ParisLongchamp

Owners: Ecurie Pandora Racing, Ahmed Mouknass, Isabelle Corbani

Trainer: Mauricio Delcher Sanchez

Breeder: Le Haras SC

Rider: Corentin Bergé

Lady Frasquita (Iffraaj) finished third in her three first attempts between Chantilly and Saint-Cloud. For her first trial at ParisLongchamp, she gave a first win on the course for rider Corentin Berger. Supplemented, she travelled within the field while Lady Mia (Outstrip) was leading, along with Waziers (Al Wukair). As they accelerated off the bend, Lady Mia stayed on but was unable to withstand the favourite Lady Frasquita's effort, and was beaten by a neck. Waziers finished third. The fillies ran faster than the colts in 1’18’’71 versus 1’19’’15. Lady Frasquita also ran the fastest furlong of both maidens in 10’’90.

Lady Frasquita is the second foal out of Sileel (War Front), an American filly who won on Fibresand in Britain. The 3rd dam Sterling Point (Seeking the Gold) won a Group 3 in the USA and gave Exchange Rate (Danzig), a Gr2-winner in the US, Sabre d’Argent (Kris S), also a Gr3-winner but in the UK, and also Cable (Dynaformer), a black-type performer.

Lady Frasquita was consigned at Arqana October sale as a yearling in 2021 and MAB Agency (Marc-Antoine Berghgracht) bought her for €40,000. Her sister by Dabirsim will also be sold at Deauville in September.

 

DADDY’S BLACK GIRL (f3), FRA by Myboycharlie ex Piana (Doyen)

Prix du Plessis-Chamant (Maiden 3-years-olds, 2,000m/10f), July 17, 2022, Chantilly

Owner: Stephan Hefter

Trainer: Conny Whitfield

Breeders: Alexandra Vignion-Goulier & Fabien Walt

Rider: Tony Piccone

Three times second since her debut, first at Lyon-La Soie, then at Compiègne, where she went on on take a 4th place, Daddy’s Black Girl (Myboycharlie) had to be pushed hard by Tony Piccone to overcome Two Face (Reliable Man), who had led the race. Trained at Baden-Baden by Conny Whitfield, she also had enjoyed a perfect trip along the rial behind the leaders, but seemed reluctant to dive in at the turning point. Yet the two first home finished together while the 3rd-placed Man of Law (Myboycharlie), who got interfered with by the veering leaders one out, finished well.

Daddy’s Black Girl is the third foal out of Piana (Doyen), a Listed-winner at 3 who also gave a Recorder colt born in 2020. She went to the sales a final time at Deauville in 2017, in foal to Rajsaman (the resulting filly is still unraced at 4), and was then unsold at €80,000. She's out of a German bloodline, including Grimpola (Windwurf), the Classic performer Fame and Glory (Montjeu)'s second dam ...

 

ALIA’S ROSE (f2), FRA by Lope de Vega ex Quanzhou (Dubawi)

Prix de la Butte Blanche (Unraced 2-year-old fillies, 1,400m/7f), July 17, 2022, Chantilly

Owner: Jaber Abdullah

Trainer: Andreas Schütz

Breeder: Haras de la Perelle

Rider: Clément Lecœuvre

A few runners fought over the lead early on, and such efforts surely led to erratic behaviours in the final stages of the race. Greygoria (The Grey Gatsby) and Janara (Oasis Dream). overcame their rivals for the lead, and 300 yards out, they were still at odds for the win as Lixi (Almanzor) had joined them after being parked out of the leading group. Tigrais (Outstrip) and Frozen (The Grey Gatsby), on the contrary, were trying to find a gap after a rather quiet trip closer to the rail. Tigrais never found it, but Frozen managed to overcome the leading fillies, only to finish... 4th at less than a length behind a brave Lixi. Coming from the rear, Alia’s Rose swallowed the whole field in a dash to score by 6 lengths, beating Karmina Bella (Almanzor), who'd also travelled at the rear, and three lengths ahead of the field.

Maybe it would be wise to follow these fillies in the near future to assess the form of the race properly.

Alia’s Rose was sold for €90,000 by the Haras de la Pérelle at Deauville, to Rabbah Bloodstock. She's the sixth foal out of Quanzhou (Dubawi), winner of two races, including a listed for the Haras de la Perelle and a sister to the good stayer Mille et Mille (Muhtathir), a Prix du Cadran (Gr1) winner. A Wootton Bassett filly was born in 2021.

 

SYROS (c2), FRA by Wootton Bassett ex Playing Trix (War Front)

Prix du Fossé de la Coque (Unrcaed 2-year-old colts & geldings, 1,400m), July 17, 2022, Chantilly

Owner: Écurie d’Authuit

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Écurie d’Authuit

Rider: Hugo Journiac

A few other runners were available at 4/1, but only Syros (Wootton Bassett) took advantage of a fine trip by the rail to open his account first time out. He overcame Nolito (Recoletos), who had dived towards the rail after his rider failed to find a passage on the outside coming from the rear. It was a wise bet since Mr Melbourne Cem (Kodiac), who persevered in the middle of the track, was interfered with by the veering front-runner Cameron (Dabirsim) and Nujiks (Mehmas) on his side.

Yet, Mr Melbourne Cem recovered and came back to miss his first win by a nose… Nolito stayed on in third at a good length. The favourite King of Records (Sea the Stars) looked a bit too eager early on as his rider was holding him at the rear. He was never in contention but should improve after that.

Unsold for €125,000 as a wanling under the name of Myconos d’Authuit, Syros is out of Playing Trix (War Front), sold €180,000 at the same Arqana Breeding sale, in foal to Almanzor -the resulting colt was quickly exported to the UK. The previous foal, Samos (Wootton Bassett), was sold for €180,000 to Al Shaqab Racing. He was placed twice last Summer at 2 before being exported to Qatar, where he won since. Unraced, Playing Trix is a granddaughter of the champion mare Time Away (Darshaan).

 

OPALUS ROAD (g3), FRA by Goken ex Hukba (Anabaa)

Prix du Val d’Enfer (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,500m/7.5f), July 16, 2022, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Sparkling Star

Trainer: Jean-Marie Béguigné

Breeder: Nathalie Blouin

Rider: Sylvain Ruis

Two of the most experimented runners in this maiden for supposedly backward 3-year-olds took advantage of a perfect trip along the rail to dominate the competition. The race's favourite after three placings since April, all over 7 furlongs, Opalus Road (Goken) dove into the lead when the front runner Gurzuf (Zelzal), whom he had trailed since the start, brutally veered right two out. Opalus Road went away to score easily by 3 lengths, trailed by the consistent Chachatouille (Dream Ahead), who only had to stay on behind him to keep second place. Sudaf (War Front) finished well in third at 2.5 lengths for her second outing, coming from the rear.

Opalus Road was paid €23,000 by his former trainer Elias Mikhalides at Arqana October sale in 2020. His elder brother Balkeo (Galiway), now 5, was sold recently for £12,000 at the Goffs HIT sale after a few placings at Auteuil and Sandown over hurdles… Their dam Hukba (Anabaa) started her career in Britain for Shadwell and took a few placings but won her only race soon after in France with trainer Fabrice Vermeulen for Écurie Winning, who'd bought her in Britain for £ 25,000.

 

BURMESE RUBY (f2), USA by War Front ex Good Vibes (Unbridled’s Song)

Prix Pawneese (Maiden 2-year-old fillies, 1,500m/7.5f), July 16, 2022, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Westerberg, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeders: Orpendale, Wynatt & Chelston

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Westerberg and the Coolmore other associates won a third race in a very short time after Above the Curve in the Saint-Alary and Tenebrism in the Jean Prat. Now it's  Burmese Ruby (War Front) who, well ridden by Mickaël Barzalona early enough after travelling alongside her stablemate and front-running Priyanka (Mendelssohn), was able to repel a nice finish of the beginner Wonderfull Lady (Almanzor). The latter took some time to reach momentum, but then she rushed to the fore and only failed by half a length. Priyanka managed to stay on at four lengths, beating a disappointing favourite in Clair de Lune (Le Havre), never in contention here.

Bred in the USA by Orpendale, Wynatt & Chelston (Ireland), again like Tenebrism and Above the Curve, Burmese Ruby had started with a 4th place on this course but over 7 furlongs, just beaten by Pink Pong, who's also just won her maiden. She's out of Good Vibes (Undridled’s Song), born in 1999 and dam of at least 12 foals and 8 winners. This winner of 1 race in the US also gave Sweet Orange (War Front), a QE2 Cup (Gr1) at Hong Kong after a Listed win in Ireland. Another full brother, bred in 2019 and sold for £ 55,000 at Tattersalls Breeze up sales, is in training with the Gosdens and has only won two races in a row this Summer.

 

ANGERS (c2), FRA by Seabhac ex Angel of Harlem (Holy Roman Emperor)

Prix Riverman (Maiden 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,500m/7.5f), July 16, 2022, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Uranie SARL, Pegase Bloodstock, Guillaume de Saint-Seine, Laurent Beuvin

Trainer: Mario Baratti

Breeder: Jan Krauze

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Fast ahead, Angers (Seabhac) never gave in and held off Rising Blast (Ribchester), who'd trailed him all the way, and then Cognac (Wootton Bassett), who still challenged him to the wire after taking some time to reach momentum. He's finally beaten by a short head with Rising Blast third at a neck. Purple Rain (Harry Angel) finished well in 4th at about a length for her 3rd attempt -he was the only one in the race who had run more than once.

Angers is the 6th foal out of Angel of Harlem (Holy Roman Emperor), twice a winner at Vittel early after her Prix Yacowlef (L) debut. She went on to take 3rd place in the Prix Miesque (Gr3) but never won again after that in 23 races at 3, 4 and 5.

Bought by Jan Krauze for €23,000 at the 2015 December Arqana sale, in foal to Planteur, she gave 4 winners after that, including Angers, bought for €35,000 € at the Deauville breeze up this season by Alessandro Marconi. His Ivawood sister is in the Arqana September sales catalogue. Under the 4th dam features Alderbrook, winner of the Prix Dollar (Gr2) and of the Champion Hurdle (Gr1) at Cheltenham…

 

PINK PONG (f2), FRA by Acclamation ex Objection (Fastnet Rock)

Prix de la Harpe (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,300m/6.5f), July 14, 2022, ParisLongchamp

Owner: Haras de la Gousserie

Trainer: Ludovic Rovisse

Breeders: Haras de la Mercerie, Paolo & Federico Gariboldi

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Placed on three occasions since her May debut, Pink Pong (Acclamation) was able to take advantage of a good trip behind the front-running Reminisce (Recoletos) to land her first victory. Ridden forward about 300 yards out, she took over soon after and just held off Adeva (Gleneagles)'s final effort, winning by a short neck. After travelling alongside Reminisce, Sunshinefled (Seabhac) stayed on in third at three lengths.

Pink Pong's dam Objection (Fastnet Rock) was sold for €100,000, in foal to Camelot, by her breeders, Haras du Mézeray, to Broadhurst Agency (Laurent Benoît), after winning two races for the Moussac family. As for Pink Pong, she had been sold as a weanling €21,000 to MAB Agency (Marc-Antoine Berghgracht), and then unsold by Haras de Grandcamp as a yearling. Her yearling Dabirsim brother, however, is in the Deauville September sale.

 

ZARA BLUE (f2), FRA by Zarak ex Blue Sail (Kingmambo)

Prix Ventre Saint-Gris (Unraced 2-year-olds, 1,500m/7.5f), July 3, 2022, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Guy Pariente

Trainer: Christophe Ferland

Breeders: Elisabeth Ferron & Delphine Fruhauff

Rider: Maxime Guyon

One of the two fillies entered in this mixed beginners' race, Zara Blue (Zarak) managed to stay ahead of a fast-finishing Elamaz (Gleneagles), who only failed by a short head after a huge final effort. He had followed the front-running Beautiful Sky (Siyouni) and had to move right across to the middle of the track about 300 yards out to finally reach momentum and sprint home, alarmingly challenging the eventual winner on the wire. Another one to not is Clair de Lune (Le Havre), who came from the rear to finish well after a nice-looking effort at about one furlong out. Always pointed newxt to the front runner, Dalakohov (Noble Mission) held on well in third at two lengths.

The favourite Mount Tambora (Dark Angel), trained by André Fabre for Godolphin, never left the rear.

Zara Blue was bought for €7,500 as a yearling in Deauville. His maiden elder sister by Wootton Bassett, who ran only once, made only €1,500 two days prior at the Arqana Summer sale… It looks like an astute purchase by Winning Bloodstock as their dam Blue Sail (Kingmambo), a maiden mare, had been sold in foal to Romanised for merely €13,000 last December at Deauville to SAS IEI, even though she's the dam ofBeautiful Heroine (High Chaparral), a Group 1-placed, winner of the Prix André Baboin (Gr3), and a sister to the classic winner Bluemamba, with a second dam who also gave the Classic sire Orpen, all of them going back to Coup de Folie, Maxios, Coup de Génie, Machiavellian, Bago, Exit to Nowhere, and again Senga and Denebola…