May 2023 Maiden Winners

 

APAX (g3), FRA by Guignol ex Arctica (Iffraaj)

Prix Cadet Roussel (Maiden 3-year-old Colts & Geldings, 1,400m/7f), May 28, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Sandro V. Gianella

Trainer: Henri-Alex Pantall

Breeder: Appapays Racing Club

Rider: Maxime Guyon

A favourite for his return after being gelded, ten days after finishing at Compiegne in his fifth attempt, Apax (Guignol) finally managed to get his nose ahead of the competition. He had never finished further than 4th to date, having only run in Compiegne and Saint-Cloud.

Fifth along the rail in the early stages, he finished the strongest to overtake Austral (Zelzal), who had previously taken the lead over the leading Gaillard (Recoletos) with Case Money (Showcasing). Always in a good position, Tremblant (Shamardal) took third place at the end of a long acceleration.

Apax is the fifth foal out of Arctica, bought for €1,500 at 2 at the Baden-Baden sales by Appapays Racing Club, the colt's breeder. This dam also produced the good Amellata (Pomellato), a Listed winner on the sprint at Baden-Baden. The 2-year-old by The Grey Gatsby is declared in training with Henri-Alex Pantall, and his own sister was born in 2022.

Apax is in the Arqana summer sale catalogue in July, as is Amellata.

 

PERCUSSION (f3), FRA by Siyouni ex Power of the Moon (Acclamation)

Prix Calandria (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 1,400m/7f), May 28, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Haras Voltaire

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Haras Voltaire

Rider: Bauyrzhan Murzabayev

Eleventh in Saint-Cloud then fifth in Compiegne after being entered in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1), Percussion (Siyouni) had just finished second in a previous maiden on the same course, 23 days earlier, beaten by a head by a stablemate of André Fabre.

Here, she almost missed the first step as the photo-finish result was only made official after a long wait and she was declared the winner, a nose ahead of the fast-finishing Montjica (Zoustar). Well positioned behind the leader Pierrefitte (Dariyan), Percussion had to work hard to gain the upper hand, then she resisted the challenged launched by the favourite Liwa Oasis (Lope de Vega), by the rail, before finally undergoing a last assault from Montjica, who took a long time to find the right pace even though she had travelled behind the leaders. Pierrefitte stayed on in fourth, a good length behind this leading trio.

Bred by her owner, Haras Voltaire, Percussion did not find a buyer at the Deauville sales, as a yearling, for €150,000. However, her younger full brother was sold to Blandford Bloodstock at the last Arqana breeze-ups for €420,000.

It's the family of a good Lagardère bloodline which gave Amilynx and Amiwain, then Zinzibérine and her colt Zanzibari for the breeding estates of the Fabres, the dam Power of the Moon (Acclamation) having been bred by Jean-Pierre Dubois. She placed in Listed event before producing a German 1,000 Guineas (Gr2) winner in 2022, Txope (Siyouni), whose cross has been reproduced four times before sending the mare to Hello Youmzain, which resulted in a filly born last year.

 

VOODOO MAGIC (f2), FRA by Wootton Bassett ex Fille du Septembre (Choisir)

Prix du Passage de l’Ancre (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,300m/6.5f), May 25, 2023, ParisLongchamp

Owners: Écurie J.-L. Tepper, Oceanic Bloodstock

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeders: La Motteraye, Gérard L. Ferron

Rider: Coralie Pacaut

As with the males of the Prix de la Cité du Figuier, a favourite Wootton Bassett beginner trained by Jean-Claude Rouget prevailed. Placed behind the leaders, Voodoo Magic (Wootton Bassett) elbowed with Spirituale (New Bay) 2 out between the pace-setter Blue Ribbon (City Light) and Miss Cuba (Havana Grey). Once the way was clear, she was able to accelerate to put herself out of reach while Spirituale could not quite recover from the incident. However, coming from the rear, Rumpleteazer (Seabhac) finished strongly to take second place, three weeks after taking third on her debut in a claiming race at Fontainebleau...

Her trainer purchased Voodoo Magic for €170,000 at the Deauville yearling sales. She is the second foal out of Fille du Septembre (Choisir), a winner on her 2-year-old debut on the all-weather at Dundalk, but unable to get back on the podium thereafter despite eight attempts at 2 and 3 years… She was sold in foal to Expert Eye (the resulting filly from this union is still a maiden) in 2019 at Tattersalls for £88,000 to Blandford Bloodstock. Her dam Rocking (Oasis Dream) also won a single race at 2 years old, but she is the second dam of the French 2,000 Guineas (Gr1)-placed San Donato (Lope de Vega), and it is the family of the excellent Superstar Leo (College Chapel) and One Master (Fastnet Rock).

A Persian King filly was born last year.

 

 

 

ZABIARI (c2), (GB) by Wootton Bassett ex Zaridiya (Duke of Marmalade)

Prix de la Cité du Figuier (Maiden 2-year-old Colts & Geldings, 1,300m/6.5f), May 25, 2023, ParisLongchamp

Owner: S. A. Aga Khan

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeder: S. A. Aga Khan

Rider: Cristian Demuro

There were eight starters, five of whom were newcomers in what was to be a bumpy race, with one of the riders being suspended for swerving in the last straight. That said, it seems that everyone had the chance to show their worth and the success of the favourite, albeit a beginner, Zabiari (Wootton Bassett), bodes well for the continuation of his career.

Long in last place, bumped going into the straight while moving forward, the colt still decisively dominated in the last hundred yards by overtaking Gentleman Beauty (Masar), who had had a good trip behind the leaders.

Will Scarlet (Masar), also a beginner and still quite green in his ways, finished strong to snatch second place from Gentleman Beauty, a length and a half behind the winner.

Zabiari is the fourth foal out of Zaridiya (Duke of Marmalade), who has previously produced a Pau and Landivisiau winning mare and herself won twice in Bordeaux before taking second place in the Prix des Lilas (L).

Zaridiya also produced a filly by Showcasing born in 2022. She was then sold for €50,000 to Joseph Burke at the Arqana breeding sales, in-foal to Mohaather. Her third dam is the second dam of the champion, Zarkava.

 

ZARWARA (f3), FRA by Medaglia d’Oro ex Zaramiya (Frankel)

Prix Timandra (Unraced 3-year-old Fillies, 2,400m/1m4f), May 23, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Fabio Manservigi, Salvatore Alioto

Trainer: Gianluca Bietolini

Breeder: Barronstown Stud

Rider: Rosario Mangione

They were eleven at the start, and the two leaders took the first two places. Zarwara (Medaglia d’Oro) won easily, although by only a length, over Orofina (Australia), who had travelled along her from the start. The third-placed Kathina (Magnetic Jim) is the only filly to make up some ground in the last straight, coming back at the last moment to take third place from Queen Zara (Zarak), who had made progress by the rail, and Juana Ines (Lope de Vega), who ran outside the leaders without cover all the way.

Zarwara is the first foal out of Zarkamiya (Frankel), a daughter of the champion mare Zarkava who won at the Listed level and finished third in the Prix Vermeille (Gr1). She also gave a Siyouni filly born in 2022.

 

GOLIATH (g3), GER by Adlerflug ex Gouache (Shamardal)

Prix Pot Au Feu (Unraced 3-year-old Colts & Geldings, 2,400m/1m4f), May 23, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Philip Baron von Ullmann

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Gestüt Schlenderhan

Rider: Bauyrzhan Murzabayev

They were five at the start of this 3-year-old beginners race over 1m4f. After travelling in fourth position in this single line of runners, Goliath (Adlerflug) took the upper hand at one furlong out over the leading Caregiver (Literato), who never let go and finished a good length behind the winner. Of the other three, only Roatan (Authorized) made some impression and took third place, more than three lengths behind, still.

Goliath was bred by his owner. He is the first foal out of Gouache (Shamardal), a Listed winner over 9 furlongs at 4 in Germany. His dam Guantana (Dynaformer) won at the same level before also giving several good winners, and she is a sister of Guignol (Cape Cross), double Group 1 winner. It is also the family of Guadalupe (Monsun).

 

LOUISE PROCTER (f2), FRA by Siyouni ex Create A Dream (Oasis Dream)

Prix La Belle II (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,200m/6f), May 23, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: White Birch Farm

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeder: St Elias Stables LLC

Rider: Cristian Demuro

The fillies' race seemed a bit more selective than the colts' a few minutes earlier, but that's probably also because they were ten at the start, rather than six... The favourite Louise Procter (Siyouni) still almost lost because of the race conditions as this stablemate of Havana Cigar was boxed in behind the leaders until 100 yards out. At the same time, Concertation (Churchill) had already flown away. At the price of a great effort, Louise Procter, bound to be boxed in with her #1 draw, finally had to do a lot to win by a nose. Louise Procter was bought for €360,000 at the Deauville yearling sales in August. Her dam, Create a Dream (Oasis Dream) won at Ascot, where she also finished 4th in the Albany Stakes (Gr3) before taking fourth place in a Group 3 race at Belmont Park.

She is out of Anabaa’s Creation (Anabaa), whose sister Starlet’s Sister notably gave the champions Sottsass, My Sister Nat and Sistercharlie.

Louise Procter is her third foal.

 

 

 

HAVANA CIGAR (c2), GB by Havana Grey ex Speculating (Xtension)

Prix Hunyade (Unraced 2-year-old Colts & Geldings, 1,200m/6f), May 23, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: White Birch Farm

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeder: Josh Cameron

Rider: Cristian Demuro

Placed last in a race that none of the six beginners wanted to lead, the favorite Havana Cigar (Havana Grey) gained ground at the turn and came by the frontrunner Stormygo (Goken) at the 300-yards mark before taking the lead to win by two lengths. Gold Index (Night of Thunder) stayed on in third, a good length behind, after tracking the second-place horse. It is worth noting the encouraging performance of the fourth-place finisher Palazzo (War Front), who recovered after being outpaced in a tricky race.

Havana Cigar was purchased as a weanling for £21,000 at Tattersalls, where he changed hands again in October the following year, bought for £150,000 by Oceanic Bloodstock for White Birch Farm. Two months later, a weanling by Showcasing was sold for £60,000, again at Tattersalls. Havana Cigar is the first foal out of Speculating (Xtension), an unraced mare and a sister to good performers who also did well at stud.

 

WISE GIRL (f3), FRA by Recoletos ex Darma (Danehill Dancer)

Prix de la Calèche des Impératrices (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 2,400m/1m4f), May 19, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Yeguada Centurion

Trainer: Christopher Head

Breeder: Yeguada Centurion

Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

Second for her debut against a competitive field in October over 9 furlongs and then in late April, already over 1m4f after a good return on the all-weather, Wise Girl (Recoletos) took the lead here, initially travelling in the middle of the course with Espérance (Dubawi) behind her, and she was never really threatened thereafter, pulling away at the beginning of the home straight in front of Espérance and Saltwell (Australia), who had also followed her in the race. She eventually won by four lengths, Saltwell securing a clear second place, more than five lengths ahead of Sea Salinas (Sea the Stars), who came from the back to finish well in her seasonal return.

Wise Girl is the seventh foal out of an Aga Khan mare, Darma (Danehill Dancer), a sister to Jockey Club winner Darsi who won her first assignment at 2 in the coveted Prix de Toutevoie, and was entered in the spring classics but never raced thereafter. At stud, she has initially given a Listed-placed filly by More Than Ready, then a City Zip filly who won a Listed race and was placed in Group races. She was then sold in foal to Zarak for €40,000 to Gérard Larrieu in Deauville in 2018, and the resulting foal, Sabio Cen, has won twice in his only starts at 2 and 3 years old and has just finished sixth in the Prix Ganay, then 9th in a Listed race. Wise Girl herself was bought back for €105,000 at the yearling sales in Deauville in August 2021, but her Zarak yearling brother was knocked down for €40,000 as a yearling to Gérard Larrieu in October 2022, again in Deauville.

 

ZARIR (c3), IRE by Frankel ex Zarshana (Sea the Stars)

Prix de la Berline du Duc Bourbon (Maiden 3-year-old Colts and Geldings, 2,400m/1m4f), May 19, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: S. A. Aga Khan

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: S. A. Aga Khan

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Eighth for his debut in April over 1m2f on this same course, Zarir (Frankel) had to fight here to win by less than a length over the favourite, Barbate (Frankel), who finished well after waiting a bit too long behind the leaders. Zarir, for his part, had travelled alongside Axiome (Dubawi), who had taken the lead after changing hands, about 2,000 metres out. In the final straight, Zarir gradually got the better of Axiome, then resisted the assault of his stablemate Djerbanni (Iffraaj). Eventually, Zarir held firm in front of a strong-finishing Barbate, less than a length ahead of Djerbanni, who just edged out Axiome.

Zarir is the fourth foal out of the good mare Zarshana (Sea the Stars), sister to the great Zarkava, winner of the Prix Minerve (Gr3) and placed in the Prix de Royallieu (Gr2), already the dam of a Listed-placed filly in Ireland. A two-year-old son of Too Darn Hot and Zarshana is in training with Francis-Henri Graffard.

 

DANCE SIOUX (f2), IRE by Sioux Nation ex Dancing Around (Iffraaj)

Prix du Mont de Po (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,000m/5f), May 19, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Laghi France

Trainer: Pascal Bary

Breeder: Laura Flood

Rider: Cristian Demuro

A good third for her debut over 6 furlongs, a distance she might have found too long as she lost second place in the final hundred metres, Dance Sioux (Sioux Nation) took a brilliant revenge here, especially as she managed to take a better start. She joined the leading Paradisiacal (Siyouni) - there were only fillies in the race - at the 2-furlong marker and dominated easily this filly, who had also started her career over 6 furlongs but finishing well, contrary to here, where she barely held onto second place, two lengths behind the winner, threatened in the end by the newcomer Employ (Caravaggio).

Dance Sioux was sold for €50,000 as a yearling to Alessandro Marconi at the Goffs Sporstman's Sale. Her unraced dam is a sister to the good Hong Kong horse Rewarding Hero (Exceed and Excel). A full sister to Dance Sioux is following...

 

GARBO (f3), FRA by Reliable Man ex Ragazza Mio (Generous)

Prix Lunadix (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 2,000m/1m2f), May 16, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Fair Salinia Ltd

Trainers: P&J Brandt

Breeder: Fair Salinia Ltd

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Second on her debut on the Deauville all-weather in December, Garbo (Reliable Man) made a very good impression when taking third place at ParisLongchamp in a strong field. This time, Fair Salinia's homebred filly started fast to take the lead alongside Firyali (New Bay) despite her 7 draw. Getting into the straight, the two leaders were in contention when coming from the rear and diving towards the rail, Caelestis (Dubawi) took the edge in a few strides and seemed to be the winner for a long time. However, Garbo's stamina allowed her to find enough energy to overcome her and win by almost a length while Caelestis held on in second in a photo finish to beat a brave Firyali.

Amneris (Dubawi) finished well from the rear in fourth place, less than a length behind. A tight finish but certainly a good field.

Garbo hails from a beautiful family since her second dam Via Saleria (Arazi) is a sister to Poliglote, who gave a Gr1 winner in Australia, and is also the second dam of the very good stayer Called to the Bar (Henrythenavigator). Garbo's dam, Ragazza Moi (Generous), won two races and produced a Gr3 and Listed-placed individual. After Garbo, she gave another Reliable Man filly born in 2022.

Garbo is entered in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1).

 

CASSIUS (c3), FRA by Toronado ex Calcia (Rock of Gibraltar)

Prix Mendez (Maiden 3-year-old maiden colts and geldings, 2,000m/1m2f), May 16, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Tom Erik Kjeseth

Trainer: P&J Brandt

Breeder: Stall Eos

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Constantly outpaced for his debut over the mile at Compiègne, Cassius (Toronado) raced much closer to the pace here as he travelled behind the early leaders Eyvann (Lope de Vega) and French Glory Day (French Fifteen). He managed to slip between them going into the straight but took a long time to get the better of Eyvann, who held on to second place, beaten by just under a length. Coming from far back, Validatos (Recoletos) dived to the rail to begin a long effort that brought him to take third place, four lengths behind the leading duo.

Cassius is the first foal out of the maiden mare Calcia (Rock of Gibraltar), who was offered for sale at Arqana in 2019 in foal to this colt but did not find a buyer at €50,000. She is the daughter of a winner in Norway, Chiquette (Selkirk), sister of Holy Moon (Hernando), dam of the champion Sea of Class (Sea the Stars), and of three Gr1 and Gr2 winners in Italy.

 

MAGYAR DANCE (f3), (GER) by Al Wukair ex Macellya (Testa Rossa)

Prix Praline (Unraced 3-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1m), May 12, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Mrs Robert G. Ehrnrooth

Trainer: Laura Vanska

Breeder: Élevage Haras de Bourgeauville

Rider: Augustin Madamet

Fast out of the stalls but soon held up on the heavy ground, Magyar Dance (Al Wukair), who started at 36/1, travelled in fifth position and began to move forward early in the last straight. About 300 yards out, she overtook the leader Aristocrazy (Kingman) and was never challenged after that. However, Aristocrazy barely kept the second place as the favourite Andraste (Saxon Warrior) closed fast after having long travelled at the rear, missing by a short head. Also well-fancied, Prophétie (Kingman), a sister to the champion Persian King, was never in contention in the last stages.

Magyar Dance is out of Macellya (Testa Rossa), a filly placed in the Prix Thomas Bryon (Gr3) and, consequently, at 2, in the Miesque Stakes (Gr3) at Hollywood Park. She raced three times at 3, winning only one race, and made one appearance at 4.

She went back to the USA afterwards but did not succeed at stud. Brookdale Farms bought her for $5,000 at Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic Sale, in foal to Super Ninety Nine, in 2016. The colt she was carrying was born in France and was bred by the Breeding Haras de Bourgeauville. He failed three times.

Magyar Dance is her first winner in Europe. A Recoletos filly was born in 2022.

 

MUNROH (c3), (GB) by Lope de Vega ex Impressionnante (Danehill)

Prix Kashmir II (Unraced 3-year-old Colts & Geldings, 1,600m/1m), May 12, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

The joint favourite and quickly setting the pace in this 7-runners maiden, Munroh (Lope de Vega) dominated the final stages and won comfortably by over two lengths. He finished ahead of Big Star (Al Wukair), who had led the field with him. Big Star barely held on to second place against Notability (No Nay Never), who had taken a bad start in this slowly-run race and didn't have to make much effort to keep up with the small field, and Quest for Love (French Fifteen), who had travelled behind the leaders.

Munroh is the ninth foal out of Impressionnante (Danehill), who won the Prix de Sandringham and finished second in the Prix Rothschild (Gr1) for the Wertheimer family. Thus, he is a brother to Intello (Galileo), winner of the Prix du Jockey Club and a popular sire. A filly by Night of Thunder was born in 2022.

 

BEAUVATIER (c2), FRA by Lope de Vega ex Enchanting Skies (Sea the Stars)

Prix du Coq Chantant (Unraced 2-year-old colts and geldings, 1,000m/7f), May 9, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Philippe Allaire

Trainer: Yann Barberot

Breeders: Écurie des Monceaux, Qatar Bloodstock Ltd, Barbara M. Keller

Rider: Christophe Soumillon

Born on February 1st, the supplemented Beauvatier (Lope de Vega) was the favourite in this €50,000 maiden race with Kumite (Dark Angel), who started inside him with his 6 draw in this €50,000 maiden. The representative of Philippe Allaire indeed let the leaders go at the beginning of the race to come back along the rail in the last two furlongs and take a clear advantage over them in a few strides. He then pulled away to win by more than five lengths on the bit, while Kumite finished second after closing in in the centre aif the course.

The colt was purchased as a yearling in Deauville by his trainer Yann Barberot for €160,000. He was consigned by his co-breeder, Écurie des Monceaux. He is the first foal out of Enchanting Skies (Sea the Stars), a winner of the well-sought maiden Prix de Chaillot from a German family, that of Elle Danzig, sister to Beauvatier's third dam and winner of Group 1 and the German Oaks. A Siyouni filly was born last year.

 

FLERS (f2), FRA by Dream Ahead ex Flag Day (Pivotal)

Prix de la Mère Marie (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,000m/5f), May 9, 2023, Chantilly

Owner: Gérard Augustin-Normand

Trainer: Maurizio Guarnieri

Breeder: Finanza Locale Consulting SRL

Rider: Cristian Demuro

fast ahead of her eight rivals, Flers (Dream Ahead) repelled every attack before going on to increase her lead in the last furlong to win by three lengths over Paradisiacal (Siyouni), who finished well after travelling slightly behind along the rail. Also racing for leading French owner Gérard Augustin-Normand, Laulne (Starspangledbanner) looked like a potential threat- when she moved forward along the rail two out. Yet, she eventually faded to finish in third place, beaten by a short neck.

Flers was sold as a weanling for €14,000 at the Arqana sales before being presented again as a yearling and again by Grandchamp, who sold her this time for €30,000 to John Hammond and Federico Barberini. Shortly after, Chili Flag (Cityscape), a 3-year-old sister to Flers, was sold for €140,000 to Mandore after winning two races at 2 and 3 years old at La Teste and Dax, also under the training of Maurizio Guarnieri. Their dam, the unraced Flag Day (Pivotal), is out of the champion Blue Duster (Danzig), a full sister to Zieten, and a Group 1 winner at 2, whose dam Blue Note (Habitat) had won the Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr1).

 

BEHATI (f3), FRA by Le Havre ex Beyargal (Bernstein)

Prix Luth Enchantée (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 1,400m/7f), May 5, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Mrs André Fabre

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Ecurie Peregrine SAS

Rider: Malone Favriaux

Fourteen fillies took the start of this maiden race, while there were only nine in the male race a few minutes earlier. Yet the colts ran about one second faster than the fillies... The battle was indecisive for a long time. Still, it turned in favour of Behati (Le Havre), who beat her stablemate Percussion (Siyouni) by a head after already overtaking her as the tote favourite seconds before the start.

Ridden by an apprentice, Behati had a seven-pound weight advantage, which may have contributed to her victory after travelling alongside Nightcall (Expert Eye) despite her 11 draw. Percussion ran in second place in the third lane with no cover, outside of two fillies that did not keep up in the end. On the other hand, Pierrefitte (Dariyan) managed to briefly take the lead over the first two furlongs out. Still, in the end, Behati surged back and recorded the third-best time over the last furlong in 12'36", compared to 12' 29" for Percussion and moreover, 12' 04" for Levante Breeze (Siyouni), who came from last place along the rail to secure a promising 5th place on her debut.

Entered last year in the well-known maiden Prix de la Cascade at Longchamp and then in the also notable Prix Douve, Behati finally started her career with an eighth-place finish at Saint-Cloud over 1,500 meters. Second over 7 furlongs for her return, at Compiègne - where she beat Percussion more convincingly than today- Behati is from the American mare Bayargal (Bernstein), winner of four races, including the Prix Petite Étoile (L) after finishing second behind the great Trêve in May of her 3-year-old year at Saint-Cloud...

Bayargal has given seven foals, including Raging Blaze (Iffraaj), who won two Class 5 races this season in Hong Kong over 6 furlongs at the tight Happy Valley track. A filly by Waldgeist was born in 2022.

 

LE FREINAY (c3), (IRE) by Harry Angel ex Tara’s Force (Acclamation)

Prix Noir et Or (Maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings, 1,400m/7f), May 5, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Écurie Delloye

Trainer: Gianluca Bietolini

Breeder: Framont Ltd

Rider: Rosario Mangione

Eighth for his debut in November at Fontainebleau over 9 furlongs in a race in which the now classic hope Big Rock finished second, Le Freinay did not reappear and returned over a significantly shorter trip here. He travelled behind the leaders Naval Academy (Dark Angel) and Alijan Moon (Sea the Moon), and caught up with them two out before easily dominating thereafter. The favourite Kizmambo (Zoustar) followed him until then and finished a good length behind after threatening him for a long time. At a short head, Alijan Moon proved quite brave, more than two lengths ahead of Naval Academy.

Le Freinay was purchased for 40,000 € as a yearling at the October Arqana sales by Marco Bozzi Bloodstock. His younger sister by Ten Sovereigns sold for 110,000 € at the same sales last year, when bought by Avenue Bloodstock for Michael Vincent Magnier. Tara's Force (Acclamation), Le Freinay's dam, finished seventh in her two outings, which took place 400 days apart in Great Britain when she was 2 and 3 years old. She was put up for sale seven times and was sold six times, at prices ranging from 15,000 £ (at 5, in foal to Exceed and Excel) to 40,000 € (as a weanling).

 

LES PAVOTS (f2), IRE by No Nay Never ex Sparrow (Oasis Dream)

Prix des Closeaux (Unraced 2-year-olds, 1,200m/6f), May 4, 2023, Chantilly

Owners: Craig Bernick, Haras d’Étreham

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeder: Coolmore Stud

Rider: Tony Piccone

In this race gathering eight debutantes with only one male taking part and only featuring, Les Pavots (No Nay Never) took the lead right away in the centre of the course with Dance Sioux (Sioux Nation) on her outside and Anielska (Ivawood) on her inside, that is, on the stands' side. They just passed these, and then Les Pavots and Dance Sioux took off, but the former clearly dominated the latter while, after being held up, another well-fancied filly, Freville (Gleneagles), moved forward. Detached by more than three lengths to finish, Les Pavots achieved a clear victory, while Fréville took a good length over Dance Sioux at the very end. The fourth-placed Spirituale (New Bay) bet the field by more than four lengths.

Les Pavots was bred by Coolmore, and she is very well-bred. She is out of the Gr3-placed Sparrow (Oasis Dream), who gave the handsome Sir Dragonet (Camelot), winner of the Vase (Gr3) at Chester and the Cox Plate (Gr1) at Moonee Valley in Melbourne... Sparrow also has a yearling by Camelot.

 

GRAND SON OF CALYX (c2), IRE by Calyx ex Asawer (Darshaan)

Prix Royal Hampton (Maiden 2-year-olds, 1,200m/6f), May 1st, 2023, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Fabio Manservigi, Salvatore Alioto

Trainer: Gianluca Bietolini

Breeder: Barronstown Stud

Rider: Rosario Mangione

Fourth in the Prix du Début, on this course but over 4 1/2 furlongs, about 40 days earlier, Grand Son of Calyx (Calyx) this time clearly dominated in the last furlong after, as for his first steps, waiting at the rear. The Irish colt left his closest rivals four lengths behind, the debutante Grade Maker (Goken) never giving up after travelling close to the pace.

Another beginner, the third-placed Tanis (Zelzal), barely held on for the podium after a good run by the rail and with a 5lbs-allowance. Starzo Fal (Starspangledbanner) narrowly missed third place after a strong final effort.

Grand Son of Calyx was purchased for 38,000€ as a yearling at the Tattersalls sales in Ireland by Marco Bozzi Bloodstock. He is out of Asawer (Darshaan), third in the 2005 Ribblesdale Stakes (Gr2) and a Listed-winner later over 1m2f. She had been bought for 600,000 pounds as a yearling by Shadwell and then sold €80,000 at 12 to Barronstown Stud, the breeder of Grand Son of Calyx. This colt is only her third winner and her ninth foal to date.