Saxon Warrior Coolmore prix Saint-Alary: Tawkeel, our new princess

Sunday, June 14, Chantilly. - The Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1), postponed by a month late and moved to Chantilly over 10 furlongs instead of ParisLongchamp, consecrated a filly now unbeaten in four races who left her best rivals at 5 lengths with no excuse whatsoever.

Her name is Tawkeel (Teofilo). She was bred by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's Shadwell Stud, is trained by Jean-Claude Rouget (already winner of the Prix Ganay, the other Group 1 on the card), and was running for the first time on turf.
She had won last time out by a head over Wangari, who won the Prix Finlande (L) since then.

This time, she travelled near the leading group, made her move gently going off the bend and ran away without any opposition. Magic Attitude (Galileo), who was a bit keen and had to move early, was very brave to keep second place in front of the favourite Solsticia (Le Havre), rather workmanlike all the way but beaten by a head only for second place. Vaucelles (Le Havre) finished well in fourth at one length, coming from the rear.
Tawkeel is the first foal out of Rafaadah (Oasis Dream), winner at 2 of the Grand Critérium de Bordeaux (L) and herself foaled by the good mare Joanna (High Chaparral), a Prix du Calvados (Gr3) winner at 2, who went on to win the Prix de Sandringham (Gr3) and the Prix de la Porte Maillot (Gr3) after finishing 3rd in the French 1,000 Guineas (Gr1).

She's in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1) and will probably be one of the French classic's favourites on July 5th.