The September 2024 Maiden Winners

BLUE ISLAND (f2), (IRE) by Blue Point ex Beyond the Cries (Galileo)

Prix de Toutevoie (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1 600m/1m), September 21, 2024, Chantilly

Owner: Écurie des Charmes

Trainer: C&Y.Lerner

Breeders: Haras d’Étreham, Écurie des Charmes

Rider: Ronan Thomas

Quickly taking the lead in this €50,000 maiden race contested by 15 fillies, Blue Island (Blue Point) dominated effortlessly in the final stages. Accompanied until then by Aqua Mirabilis (Churchill), she galloped away unchallenged to leave the favourite Tajlina (Kingman), who had raced in midfield from her wide draw in stall 9, to finish well 3.5 lengths behind.

She finished nearly a length ahead of the 3rd-placed Golden Alda (Golden Horde), who had a good run on the rail from stall 4.

Blue Island was bought for €145,000 at the Arqana August sales last year. Her sister by Mehmas will go through the ring at the Deauville yearling sales in October.

KIRCHNER (c2), IRE by Pinatubo ex Kambura (Literato)

Prix de Villebon (Unraced 2-year-old colts and gedlings, 1,600m/1m), September 21,  2024, Chantilly

Owners: Daniel-Yves Trèves, Laurent Dassault, Écurie Bernard Weill, Free Man Racing

Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget

Breeders: James F. Hanly, Trevor C. Stewart, Howard Anthony Stroud

Rider: Cristian Demuro

After a slow start and being caught flat-footed, Kirchner (Kingman) was still a long way back as they turned for home, while the pacesetter and favourite Millar (Kingman) was attempting, and succeeding, to make a break for it. He didn't let up as he headed for the post, but Kirchner, in the middle of the track, managed to get up and take it by almost half a length, just ahead of Darius Cen (Persian King), who was third after a tricky passage - he was keen early on - in the final strides.

Kirchner was bought for £85,000 as a yearling at the Tattersalls sales last year by Oceanic Bloodstock and his trainer, Jean-Claude Rouget. He is out of Kambura (Literato), winner of the Critérium de Lyon (L), and a sister to the good performers Ximb (Septième Ciel), Welcome Millenium (Kendor) and Verba (Anabaa).

AL JAFARA (f2), GB by Pinatubo ex Predawn (Fastnet Rock)

Prix de la Forterelle (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,800m/9f), September 16, 2024, Chantilly

Owner: Mansour Aguel

Trainer: Hedi Ghabri

Breeder: V. I. Araci

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Fourth on her debut on this track but over a shorter mile just nine days before this second start, Al Jafara (Pinatubo) once again displayed a beautiful turn of foot in the final straight only this time, no one could resist her. The runner-up Mistysea (Goken) had already taken over from the pacesetter Emmanuelle (Lawman) when the winner swooped down on her to win comfortably by a length at the post. The favorite Rosa Gallica (Telecaster), held up towards the rear, finished well in 3rd place, two lengths further back.

Al Jafara was sold for £15,000 as a yearling at Tattersalls and then privately for €37,000 at the Arqana breeze-up sales last May. The dam Predawn (Fastnet Rock), a winner of one race, is a full-sister to the Oaks (Gr1) winner Qualify (Fastnet Rock). The fourth dam Media Luna (Star Appeal) is the ancestress of a multitude of champions.

There is a colt foal born in 2023 by Too Darn Hot, and Predawn was subsequently covered by Oasis Dream.

NITOI (c2), USA by Siyouni ex Lady Zuzu (Dynaformer)

Prix de la Maniguette (Maiden 2-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,800m/9f), September 16, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Wertheimer&Frère

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Wertheimer&Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Nitoi (Siyouni) started as the favourite despite being a newcomer against colts, who, for the most part, had already run. And he obliged pretty readily, making all the running, even though Bellagio (Siyouni), who had quickly recovered from a stumble at the start, challenged him to the line, finishing 2 1/2 lengths behind in second.

Naked Memories (Mehmas) was the best of the rest, finishing six lengths further back in third.

Nitoi is a half-brother (same dam, different sire) to the multiple Group 1 winner Junko (Intello). Wertheimer & Frère purchased their dam, the US Grade 3-placed Lady Zuzu (Dynaformer), a sister to the Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Optimizer (English Channel), in foal to War Front for $2,350,000 at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

She has since had a colt by Frankel, now a 4-year-old gelding, who finished sixth over 2,400 meters at Saint-Cloud on his only start on the flat before being sold for €38,000 to John Daniel Moore at the Arqana Summer Sale. He has subsequently run twice over hurdles without success.

A daughter of War Front purchased at the same time as Lady Zuzu, who was carrying her, won one race and was sold first by Wertheimer & Frère, then by Haras d'Étreham, in December 2021 at Tattersalls, in foal to Persian King, for 115,000 £ to Chantilly Bloodstock Agency (Gérard Larrieu). A filly was born in 2022, and another in 2023. Both are bred by Haras d'Étreham.

MUSIQUE MAESTRO (g3), FRA by Kapgarde ex Sania Marceau (Martaline)

Prix Finot - Poulains (3-year-old colts and geldings unraced over jumps, Hurdles, 3,600m/2m2f), September 14, 2024, Auteuil

Owner: Mrs Patrick Papot

Trainer: Joël Boisnard

Breeders: Écurie Cap Orne, Pascal Noue

Rider: Gabin Meunier

This second group in the Prix Finot completed the 2m2f of the hurdle course 2.6 seconds faster than the first, and as before, three colts found themselves battling it out at the last hurdle. This time, however, the last attacker, Musique Maestro (Kapgarde), had the final say for the Papot Family silks. In the previous group, the same owner had fallen with a well-placed colt, Galactico, ridden by Johnny Charon. The unfortunate jockey, still in pain, was replaced here by Gabin Meunier.

The prominent leader of the race, Aguellid (Goliath du Berlais), who tended to drift to his right when jumping, was still leading in the final turn, taking in his wake Saint Baco (Cokoriko), always pointed there, and Neverchangedoctor (Doctor Dino), who came by with a strong run in the turn. The leader gradually let go while Musique Maestro, ridden with great patience, grappled with the other two at the last hurdle. It was, therefore, in a fight, in extremis, that Musique Maestro took a head from Neverchangedoctor, Saint Baco bowing by half a length in 3rd place, three lengths ahead of a brave Aguellid.

Sania Marceau (Martaline), the winner's dam, did not race. Still, she is out of the good Avenue Marceau (Enrique), a Gr3-winner and Gr1-placed over hurdles at Auteuil, but also of a winner of the Grand Steeplechase d'Enghien (Gr2), and 2nd dam of the champion Gala Marceau (Galiway), winner of the Prix Alain du Breil (Gr1).

After Musique Maestro, her 2nd foal, Sania Marceau also produced a Roman Candle filly and a No Risk At All colt.

KURASSO BLUE (g3), FRA by Masked Marvel ex Speedy Blue Girl (Anabaa Blue)

Prix Finot - Poulains (3-year-old colts and geldings unraced over jumps, Hurdles, 3,600m/2m2f), September 14, 2024, Auteuil

Owners: Philippe Georges Dumas, Yannick Fouin

Trainer: Yannick Fouin

Breeder: Yannick Fouin

Rider: Baptiste Le Clerc

Fifth for his flat debut this summer over 1m4f at Clairefontaine, in a race for beginners where Galactico (Muhtathir), also at the start here, finished 8th, Kurasso Blue (Masked Marvel) won from start to finish, without ever really seeming threatened. From the beginning, he travelled with Trèfle Volant (Almanzor) a few lengths ahead of the main group, particularly Sherzal (Zelzal) and Galactico, who fell off the 2nd last bend. Owned by his trainer and breeder Yannick Fouin and Philippe Georges Dumas, the winner mastered the situation when Sherzal came by between the last two obstacles. He finally won by two and a half lengths over Trèfle Volant, who had at one point seemed also dominated by Sherzal after the last hurdle but recovered well to take a neck from his attacker.

Born in April, Kurasso Blue is out of Speedy Blue Girl (Anabaa Blue), a mare bought in a claiming race at Pau by Yannick Fouin, who entrusted her to Jean-Luc Pelletan. After a few failures, she won at Mont-de-Marsan and then for her return over Auteuil hurdles. She is out of Speedgirl (Monsun), an unraced full sister to the very good stayer Speedmaster (Monsun), out of the Darley mare Salsaparilla (Shirley Heights).

At stud, Speedy Blue Girl produced four foals before Kurasso Blue, including Rhum Bleu (Montmartre), who won for the 1st time for his 18th attempt on the steeplechase at Wissembourg before being exported to Poland. He had finished 4th much earlier in the Aguado 3yo Hurdle race (Gr3). There are also two unraced fillies out of Speedy Blue Girl by Motivator, born in 2019 and 2020.

SPINELLO (3-year-old gelding), FRA by Cracksman ex Copying (Choisir)

Prix Kasteel (Maiden for 3-year-olds, 3,000m/1m7f), Friday, September 13, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Gérald Laroche, Jean-Louis Quiniou, Mario Baratti

Trainer: Mario Baratti

Breeders: Écurie Haras du Cadran, SCEA Bissons

Rider: Cristian Demuro

Four-time runner-up, including twice at Saint-Cloud, Spinello (Cracksman) found the winning way on her second attempt over 1m7f. She prevailed in a close battle with Baal Howard (Ectot), who took second place along the rail by half a length, while Darabukkah (Zarak), hampered by the winner near the post as he was making progress, did not run badly for his comeback.

Spinello cost €30,000 as a yearling at Arqana, where PB Bloostock bought her. Her yearling brother by Earthlight is entered in the October sales in Deauville.

VILLA CASTELLO (3-year-old filly), GB by Frankel ex Household Name (Zamindar)

Prix Topyo (Maiden for 3-year-olds, 2,000m/1m2f), Monday, September 9, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Al Shira’aa Racing

Trainer: Pascal Bary

Breeder: Ctsse de la Warr

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

Quickly well-placed in the slipstream of the leaders, in particular Four White (Justify), Villa Castello (Frankel) slipped inside her at the entrance to the straight and quickly took the lead. Still attacked in the middle of the track by the other favourite of the race, Tyra (Lope de Vega), she resisted until the end, isolated towards the rail, and won by a head. Four lengths behind finished 3rd Acheron (Advertise), who was running for the second time like the 2nd.

Villa Castello was sold for £115,000 as a foal at Tattersalls, then £425,000 the following season as a yearling to Al Shira’aa. Her youngest brother by Ardad is in the catalogue of the Tattersalls Ireland September sale. The dam Household Name (Zamindar) is a sister to Martaline and Coastal Path, of Juddmonte origin, therefore.

JOVIALITÉ (2-year-old filly), USA by Medaglia d’Oro ex Juanita (Mineshaft)

Prix Fast Fox (Unraced 2-year-olds, 1,300m/6½f), September 9, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Blu Racing

Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

Breeder: Coteau Grove Farms

Rider: Cristian Demuro

Jovialité (Medaglia d’Oro) put up a dazzling performance in this mixed race for unraced 2-year-olds over 6½ furlongs, where fifteen runners had been confirmed before two of them were withdrawn. The representative of Blue Racing started well despite her wide draw in stall nine and quickly joined Félix aux Ormes (Kodiac), who had started even wider from stall 13.

The two leaders battled it out for a while in the final straight before Jovialité pulled clear in the closing stages to win by six lengths from the favourite Starlord (Too Darn Hot), who was always seen behind the leaders on the rail and who took a short neck from Félix aux Ormes. Also always behind the leaders, Zalari (Kodiac) finished 4th, nearly two lengths ahead of Siècle d’Or (Lope de Vega), who came from a long way back to finish nicely (best time over the last furlong).

Jovialité failed to find a buyer at $225,000 as a yearling at Keeneland, but French agent Hubert Guy bought her for that price six months later at Ocala. Her dam Juanita (Mineshaft) is a dual Gr.2 winner in the USA and already the dam of a dual winner who was Listed-placed in Canada.

LA DO RE (f3), FRA by Zarak ex La Ciotat (Le Havre)

Prix Pleben (Maiden 3-years-olds, 2,400m/1m4f), September 6, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Écurie Seyssel, Haras de Saint-Voir

Trainer: Philippe Decouz

Breeder: Arnaud de Seyssel

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

The race was led by Foxtrot Zulu (Saxon Warrior) and the favourite Never Give In (Churchill), with the other fancied runner, Mr l’Apothicaire (Kodiac), beaten as they turned into the final straight. Foxtrot Zulu made a bold bid for victory and resisted the anticipated challenge from Never Give In, even gaining the upper hand briefly. However, after having to navigate around Mr l’Apothicaire, La Do Re (Zarak) found her stride and relentlessly closed on Foxtrot Zulu, eventually overtaking him to win by nearly two lengths. A length further back, Best Night (Night Wish) finished strongly to deny Never Give In third place, who was ultimately beaten by almost two lengths.

La Do Ré's dam, La Ciotat (Le Havre), was purchased for €42,000 as a yearling and won two races at Lyon. She descends from a family associated with the Aga Khan Studs, which also produced Diyakalanie (Ashkalani), third in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks), and Dilek (Sendawar), third in the Prix Jean Prat (Gr1).

Following La Do Ré, La Ciotat has produced a 2-year-old filly by Tornibush and a colt by Cloth of Stars.

YOGA MASTER (f2), (GB) by Persian King ex Pure Zen (Dr Fong)

Prix Ravinella (Maiden 2-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1m), September 6, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: André Fabre

Breeder: Haras d’Étreham

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Having finished second twice on this course in May and June, over six and seven furlongs respectively, Yoga Master (Persian King) had to dig deep to overcome the front-running debutant Ginger Ale (Shaman), ultimately winning by a head in a thrilling finish.

The third-placed horse, Champagne Dancer (Persian King), led the also-rans, over two lengths behind, after making a tentative challenge in the centre of the track.

Yoga Master was purchased for €85,000 as a yearling by Stroud Coleman at Deauville. She is the first foal out of Pure Zen (Dr Fong), a Listed winner at 2 and subsequently third in the Prix Thomas Bryon (Gr3). She finished second in the Prix de Sandringham (Gr2) at 3, beaten just a head by Obligate. Pure Zen was later bought back for £500,000 at the London sales on the eve of Royal Ascot and then again for £200,000 in 2021, two years later, in foal to Yoga Master.

Pure Zen was covered by Sea the Stars in 2023.

EXPOSURE (g2), GB by Expert Eye ex Photographic (Oasis Dream)

Prix Kendor (Maiden 2-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m), September 6, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owner: Juddmonte

Trainer: Henri-François Devin

Breeder: Juddmonte

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

Third on his debut over seven furlongs at Dieppe after being slowly away from the stalls, Exposure (Expert Eye) gained his revenge in style here, winning by a length from the favourite Chauncey Gardiner (Sottsass), who challenged him throughout the straight but was ultimately well held. Another good length back in third was Golden Brown (Persian King), who made his bid along the rail after tracking the two leaders. Green Cape (Lope de Vega) finished fourth ahead of Al Aali (City Light), who was slowly away but kept on well to the line.

Gelded in March, Exposure was bred by his owner, Juddmonte, as was his Bated Breath sister, who is entered in the Tattersalls Ireland yearling sales on September 24th. Their dam, a winner of her first two races, was covered again by Bated Breath this year. She is also the dam of Shutter Speed (Dansili), winner of her first three races, culminating in the Musidora Stakes (Gr3), before finishing fourth in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks), her penultimate start.

SPRING LANTERN (f3), IRE by Frankel ex Rosa Imperial (Pivotal)

Prix de la Ville de Lamorlaye (Maiden 3-year-olds, 1,200m/6f), September 3, 2024, Chantilly

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: Henri-Alex Pantall

Breeder: Godolphin

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Having finished sixth on her debut at Dieppe in June, behind Halva (Kodiac), whom she faced again over a shorter trip, Spring Lantern (Frankel) was the subject of several entries and subsequent withdrawals, sometimes at the eleventh hour. However, the wait proved worthwhile as the Godolphin filly overwhelmed her rivals with a decisive turn of foot at the quarter-mile marker, propelling her from last to first alongside Hantano (Dubawi). She sustained her effort to win by over three lengths from the gelding Hantano, who had been searching for his maiden victory since June and was racing for the fifth time. Baileys Bachelor (Supplicant) ran a promising race to finish third, having looked full of running for much of the contest but making his effort later and less persistently than the first two. Halva, who had led most of the race, finished fourth, over two lengths adrift.

The winner, trained in France by Henri-Alex Pantall for Godolphin, is out of Rosa Imperial (Pivotal), a Listed winner and third in the Prix Rothschild (Gr1) over the Deauville straight mile. Spring Lantern is her first foal. Rosa Imperial was covered by Dubawi in 2023.

A sister to Rosa Imperial by Oasis Dream is set to be offered for sale at the Goffs Orby Sale this autumn. Their fourth dam is the Golden Slipper (Gr1) winner Bint Marscay (Marscay).