Magne 3yo Fillies Hurdle race: Angela du Berlais at the top of her game

October 20, 2022, Auteuil Racecourse (Paris). - More than a year after Magalen Bryant passed away, her colours still fly high over Auteuil with a new success of Angela du Berlais (Great Pretender) in the €120,000 Magne 3yo Fillies Hurdle race (Gr3), a step closer to the €175,000 Haras d'Etreham Magalen Bryant 3yo Fillies (Gr2). The filly had been beaten in her every previous race, last time out in the Chambly Hurdle won by Dreammy Bell (Masterstroke), kept fresh for the big one since then and out of the way today.

Angela du Berlais will now try to emulate her stablemate Hawai du Berlais (Martaline), winner of both the Magne and the Bournosienne last season for the same silks.

This time, My Kalissy (Coastal Path), winner of the Finot Pouliches 3yo Fillies Hurdle race  (Listed), took several lengths until the second last jump and faded after that. Caught up by Angela du Berlais, who had been trailing the leader from a distance, she was also outstayed by Villa Rica (Cokoriko), who had come from last in the back straight, following Angela du Berlais. As for Cour Suprême (Doctor Dino), who also made progress with these two, she fell at the last hurdle. 

Angela du Berlais put six lengths between her and Villa Rica in a matter of strides, eight and a half ahead of My Khalissy, third. Etoile du Berlais (Great Pretender), however, was only a distant 4th at 30 lengths.

Angela du Berlais is by the Haras de la Hetraie's sire Great Pretender (King’s Theatre),  who gained a sound reputation with the likes of Greaneteen or Bénie des Dieux, two multiple Gr1 winners.

The winning dam Nikita du Berlais (Poliglote), also bred by Jean-Marc Lucas at Haras du Berlais, won a few Group races at Auteuil and finished second in one Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil 2012 (Gr1) won by Thousand Stars (Grey Risk). At stud, Nikita du Berlais already did well with Matilda du Berlais (Martaline), a dual Listed winner who also placed three times in Groupe Hurdle races at Auteuil.

Angela du Berlais' second dam Chica du Berlais (Cadoudal) foaled an army of performers, who also dragged lots of attention at the sales such as the great Bonito du Berlais (Trempolino), bought for €70,000 as a yearling in 2012 by Agence FIPS. Atlanta du Berlais (Poliglote), a full sister to Nikita, was purchased for €92,000 by BLM Bloodstock for Rahinston Stud at the online Auctav agency last March 2022.