Prix du Comté de Nice (L) : Mallorca takes over Rivera leadership

Sunday, December 25th, Cagnes-sur-mer. – 6yo mare Mallorca (Falco) prevailed in the Prix du Comté de Nice (L), an important prep race for the Winter Gold Cup on the Riviera, the Grand Prix de la Ville de Nice (Gr3), for her second race only this season over there. Kept close to the pace most of the 4,200 metres chase (2 miles and 5 furlongs) she left the field temporarily without reaction when her rider Ludovic Philipperon let her go in the final turn. They never had to look back since she won by two lentghs over a fast closing Le But (Muhtathir), a short neck in front of long-time leader Karelcytic (High Rock). The favourite My Maj (Majorien) looked outpaced in the final stages and had to settle for a fourth place three lengths behind the trio.

The winner is trained by Patrice Lenogue for owner Hubert de Waele, who had claimed her € 12,005 back in June 2013 when she finished 3rd over hurdles at Auteuil. She was only 3yo back then. Her dam, Red Vixen (Agnes World) was bred by Darley in Ireland but won only one race out of 20 runs, over at Wolverhampton. Her 3rd dam is the champion filly Escaline (Arctic Tern), winner of the 83 French Oaks and the 82 Critérium de Saint-Cloud.