Kergorlay History: An old Deauville classic

August, Deauville

SUMBE PRIX KERGORLAY

Groupe 2, 3ans et plus, 3 000 mètres, 130 000€

Créé en 1864

Last winner: DOUBLE MAJOR (g4, GB by Daiwa Major and Dancequest, by Dansili), owned by Wertheimer&Frère, bred by Wertheimer&Frère, trained by Christophe Ferland, ridden by Stéphane Pasquier.

The race is run in 2025 for the 154th time

The 2024 edition
 

Deauville, Sunday, August 18th, 2024 – The odds-on favourite, Double Major (Daiwa Major), secured a commanding victory in the €130,000 Sumbe Prix Kergorlay (Gr2), an intergenerational contest over 15.5 furlongs. The Wertheimer & Frère homebred effortlessly assumed the lead at the top of the straight, leaving his four rivals trailing in his wake. He crossed the finish line an impressive seven lengths clear of the 2022 winner, Goya Senora (Anodin), who led the chasing pack ahead of Alessio (Teofilo) and Waldadler (Adlerflug).

Double Major commenced his French 2024 campaign with a third-place finish in the Prix de Barbeville (Gr3) and then filled the same position in the Vicomtesse Vigier (Gr2). He subsequently showcased his prowess over a mile and three-quarters, clinching the Prix Maurice de Nieuil (Gr2) a month earlier.

Bred by Wertheimer & Frère, Double Major's racing career began in March with a second-place finish at Deauville, followed by his maiden victory at Toulouse over 1 mile 2 1/2 furlongs. After securing three consecutive second-place finishes at Listed level, including one in the Prix Frédéric de Lagrange (L) at Vichy, he discovered his forte over extended distances, culminating in a triumph in the 2023 Prix Royal-Oak (Gr1).

He is the fourth foal out of Dancequest (Dansili), a winner at Deauville and Listed-placed, who is also the dam of the talented Flop Shot (New Approach). Notably, Dancequest is out of Featherquest (Rainbow Quest), the dam of successful racemares and broodmares Plumania and Balladeuse.

Double Major was entered in the 2023 Arqana Arc Sale but was ultimately withdrawn.

His sire, Daiwa Major, a champion sprinter/miler in his native Japan, is a son of the influential American stallion Sunday Silence and a daughter of Northern Taste, a stallion imported from France, where he enjoyed considerable success for the Yoshida family. This chestnut with extensive white markings, reminiscent of Sunday Silence, also played a pivotal role in the development of Shadai Farm's breeding program, where both stallions were based and are now laid to rest.

History

This race is steeped in history. It was one of six flat races that formed part of the first-ever race meeting held at Deauville on 14 August 1864. Going under the name Prix de la Société d'Encouragement (1 mile 7 furlongs), it paid out 5,100F to Thomas Carter, who was both owner and trainer of the four-year-old mare Nobility who outpaced two quality adversaries in Orphelin and Jarnicoton. Shortly afterwards in 1875, the race took the name of Prix de Longchamps, which is would keep until 1910. Then in 1911, it became the Prix Florian de Kergorlay, before in 1929 being shortened to simply Prix Kergorlay. Since 2006, this race has benefitted from sponsorship by Darley, the name covering Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum’s entire breeding operation, and finally Nurlan Bizakov's Sumbe breeding brand.

Just as when it was first run back in 1864, the race distance today is 1 mile 7 furlongs, although that has not always been the case. From 1889-95 it was reduced to 1 mile 6 furlongs, then to 1 mile 5 furlongs from 1896-1906. It was then lengthened to 2 miles 1 furlong for the period between 1907-13 and re-established at 1 mile 7 furlongs from 1919 onwards. War prevented the race taking place in 1871, from 1914-18 and in 1940-41, while it was switched to Tremblay in 1942 and 1943 and to Longchamp in 1944 and 1945. A dead-heat was recorded between Café Procope and Vicq in 1885.

As can be seen below, horses belonging to the Aumont family, owners of the Victot stud farm near Deauville, have enjoyed particular success at the Prix Kergorlay. The family colours of white jersey and green cap have been worn to victory on 11 occasions, Alexandre Aumont accounting for six of those and his son Paul five.

Until the Prix Jacques Le Marois was created in 1921, the Prix Kergorlay was, after the Grand Prix de Deauville, the biggest race at the meeting on the Normandy coast that enabled 3 year-olds to take on their elders. As such, prior to the First World War, several runners of the highest calibre took part and won the Prix Kergorlay including: Vertugadin (1866), Ruy Blas (1867), Revigny (1873, Jockey Club), Nougat (1875), Castillon (1881), Mademoiselle de Senlis (1883, Diane), Le Sagittaire (1896), Fourire (1899, 1900), Saxon (1901, Jockey Club), Maximum (1902), Ex Voto (1903, Jockey Club), Turenne (1904), Génial, 1905), Maintenon (1906, Jockey Club), Punta Gorda (1907), Sauge Pourprée (1908), Sea Sick (1909, 1910, Jockey Club) and La Française (1911, 1912).

In the years between the two world wars the quality of entrants diminished, although the race would rediscover its sparkle during and in the aftermath of the Second World War through the feats of Vigilance (1942, Diane), Verso II (1943, Jockey Club), Marsyas (1944), Ardan (1945, 1946, Jockey Club), Souverain (1947, Grand Prix de Paris), Bey (1948, Jockey Club), Ciel Etoilé (1950), Lavarède (1951), Fast Fox (1952), Silex (1953), Elu (1954), Macip (1955) and Romantisme (1957).

Since the 1960s, many of the biggest names in racing have steered clear of the Prix Kergorlay, but nevertheless the names of many notable stayers such as Pardallo (1968), Miss Dan (1971), Shafaraz (1978), Top Sunrise (1989), Turgeon (1991), Sought Out (1992, dam to North Light), Classic Cliché (1997), the extraordinary Persian Punch (2000), Getaway (2007) and Americain (2010, future winner of the Melbourne Cup in Australia), all feature on the race’s list of winners. Another name worthy of mention is the 2005 victor Alcazar, who, at the age of 10, became the oldest horse ever to win a race of this standard in France.

Foreign winners
 

Foreign runners have also enjoyed rich pickings at this race, with a total of 22 victories (of which 12 have come between 2000 and 2020). The list in full is Ashavan (1964), Mehari (1967), Reindeer (1970), Moss Trooper (1975), Valentinian (1982), Almaarad (1987), Al Maheb (1990), Classic Cliché (1997), Arctic Owl (1998), Kayf Tara (1999), Persian Punch (2000), Darasim (2003), Gold Metallist (2004), Alcazar (2005), Schiaparelli (2009), Jukebox Jury (2011), Joshua Tree (2012), Protectionist (2014), Alex My Boy (2015), Nearly Caught (2016), Marmelo (2017, 2019). 

The Prix Kergorlay-Grand Prix de Deauville double
 

This double triumph has been achieved on many occasions. The following 12 horses have won both races in the same year: Bivouac (at 4 years of age, 1872), Castillon (at 4 years of age, 1881), Fourire (at 3 years of age, 1899), Maximum (at 3 years of age, 1902), Turenne (at 3 years of age, 1904), Maintenon (at 3 years of age, 1906), Punta Gorda (at 5 years old, 1907), Dark Diamond (at 3 years of age, 1925), Astéroïde (at 4 years of age, 1926), Bounteous (at 4 years of age, 1962), Miss Dan (at 4 years of age, 1971), Almaarad (at 4 years of age, 1987). On four occasions meanwhile, horses have won the Prix Kergorlay one year followed by the Grand Prix the next: Nougat (at 3 years of age, 1875, at 4 years of age in 1876), Galette (at 3 years of age, 1892, at 4 in 1893), Tullamore (at 3 years of age 1919, at 4 in 1920) and Getaway (aged 4 in 2007 and aged 5 in 2008). Winner of the Grand Prix de Deauville in 2009, Jukebox Jury also won the Prix Kergorlay in 2011.

The Prix Kergorlay-Prix du Cadran double
 

This double success, in contrast, has proved more elusive. On only seven occasions have both been won by the same horse in one year (at the age of four): Revigny (1873), La Française (1911), Prédicateur (1913), Marsyas (1944), Ciel Etoilé (1950), Sought Out (1992), Molesnes (1994). Five horses have won the Prix Kergorlay one year before following up with the Prix du Cadran the next: Sibérie (at 3 in1888, at 4 in 1889), Sauge Pourprée (at 3 in 1908, at 4 in 1909), Astéroïde (at 4 in 1926, at 5 in 1927), Silex (at 3 in 1953, at 4 in 1954), Holdthasigreen (at 6 in 2018, at 7 in 2019). Winner in 2020, Call the Wind had won the Cadran two years earlier, in 2018.

Florian de Kergorlay (passed away in October 1910)
 

”A master sportsman,” are the words used by F.Laffon to describe the Comte de Kergorlay in his Dictionary-yearbook published in 1896, who went on to add that “he [the Comte] was one of the most knowledgeable men of our age when it came to horses.” Without ever racing a horse himself, Comte Florian de Kergorlay was one of the most influential figures on the turf racing scene towards the end of the 19^th century. So much so that the daily paper Le Jockey said this of him: “[He is] a worthy successor to Baron de la Rochette, and the upholder of the honourable ideals that were behind the formation of the Société d'Encouragement. Nevertheless, M. de Kergorlay was also able to bring about progress without sacrificing tradition or the values of the past.”

Named as a deputy member of the Société d'Encouragement committee in 1878, he was made a founder member in 1890. From 1885-1896 he was also the commissioner of horse racing’s governing body where he held the role of “first commissioner” for six of those years (1890-91 and 1893-96). What is more, from 1880-1904 he was commissioner of the Deauville racing association, and also went on to take the Presidential role after the passing of Comte Hocquart de Turtot in autumn 1884. It is for this reason that the Comte Florian de Kergorlay’s name was given to one of the avenues running nearby the Deauville hippodrome.

Owners
 

• Paul Aumont (6 wins): Revigny (1873), Basquine (1876), Mademoiselle de Senlis (1883), Sibérie (1888), Nativa (1890), Floréal (1891).
• Alexandre Aumont (5 wins): La Française (1911, 1912), Isola Bella (1924), Deiri (1931), La Souricière (1933).
• Marcel Boussac (5 wins): Grillemont (1923), Marsyas (1944), Ardan (1945, 1946), Macip (1965).
• William K. Vanderbilt (4 wins): Turenne (1904), Maintenon (1906), Sea Sick (1909, 1910).
• Guy de Rothschild (4 wins): Ciel Etoilé (1950), Pont Levis (1956), Céladon (1963, 1965).
• Frédéric de Lagrange (3 wins): La Reine Berthe (1865), Nougat (1985), Castillon (1881).
• Henri Delamarre (3 wins): Vertugadin (1866), Clotho (1869), Bivouac (1872).
• Edmond Blanc (3 wins): Fripon (1886), Saxon (1901), Génial (1905).
• Edouard de Rothschild (3 wins): Prédicateur (1913), Innoxa (1929), Fog Horn (1932).
• Godolphin (3 wins): Classic Cliché (1997), Kayf Tara (1999), Schiaparelli (2009).

Trainers
 

• Henry Jennings (9 wins): Ruy Blas (1867), Dutch Tar (1868), L’Aspirant (1870), Revigny (1873), Montargis (1874), Basquine (1876), Giboulée (1877), Mourle (1879), Arbitre (1880).
• André Fabre (5 wins): King Luthier (1986), Top Sunrise (1989), Raintrap (1993), Getaway (2007), Sober (2023).
• Fred Carter (4 wins): Mademoiselle de Senlis (1883), Sibérie (1888), Nativa (1890), Floréal (1891).
• George Cunnington (4 wins): Brisolier (1887), Boissière (1893), La Française (1911, 1912).
• Robert Denman (4 wins): Fourire (1899, 1900), Saxon (1901), Génial (1905).
• William Duke (4 wins): Turenne (1904), Maintenon (1906), Sea Sick (1909, 1910).
• Geoffroy Watson (4 wins): Ciel Etoilé (1950), Pont Levis (1956), Céladon (1963, 1965).
• Hughie Morrison (4 wins): Alcazar (2005), Nearly Caught (2016), Marmelo (2017, 2019).
• Thomas-Richard Carter (3 wins): Vertugadin (1866), Clotho (1869), Bivouac (1872).
• Tom Jennings (3 wins): La Reine Berthe (1865), Nougat (1985), Castillon (1881).
• Thomas Cunnington (3 wins): Escogriffe (1884), Prix Fixe (1889), Riposte (1897).
• William Webb (3 wins): Café Procope (1885, dead-heat), Le Sagittaire (1896), Ex Voto (1903).
• Lucien Robert (3 wins): Keror (1922), Dark Diamond (1925), Fog Horn (1932).
• Claude Halsey (3 wins): Deiri (1931), La Souricière (1933), Khasnadar (1937).
• Charles Semblat (3 wins): Marsyas (1944), Ardan (1945, 1946).
• Charles-William Bartholomew (3 wins): Bounteous (1962), Pardallo (1968), South Gale (1984).
• John Cunnington Jr (3 wins): Waylay (1966), Homeric (1972), Valuta (1973).
• Said Bin Suroor (3 wins): Classic Cliché (1997), Kayf Tara (1999), Schiaparelli (2009).
• Alain de Royer Dupré (3 wins): Kassani (1996), Américain (2010), Verema (2013).

Jockeys

• Arthur Watkins (4 wins): Vertugadin (1866), Ruy Blas (1867), Dutch Tar (1868), L’Aspirant (1870).
• George Stern (4 wins): Saxon (1901), Génial (1905), Sauge Pourprée (1908), Grillemont (1923).
• Jacques Doyasbère (4 wins): Marsyas (1944), Ardan (1945, 1946), Lavarède (1951).
• Maurice Philipperon (4 wins): Waylay (1966), Homeric (1972), Valuta (1973), Tipperary Fixer (1981).
• Cash Asmussen (4 wins): King Luthier (1986), Top Sunrise (1989), Turgeon (1991), Sought Out (1992).
• Olivier Peslier (4 wins): Molesnes (1994), Ponte Tresa (2008), Alex My Boy (2015), Call the Wind (2020).
• Alfred Carratt (3 wins): Revigny (1873), Montargis (1874), Basquine (1876).
• William Johnstone (3 wins): Dark Dew (1934), Prince Achille (1925), Bey (1948).