Woodshauna signs a French victory in the Prix Jean Prat
Run over 1,400 meters on the straight track at Deauville Racecourse, the Prix Jean Prat (Group 1) is a race that attracts breeders from all over the world. And for good reason, Too Darn Hot, the winner in 2019, has become one of Europe’s best young stallions, as well as in Australia. This success in both Hemispheres is very rare. It naturally draws interest, and many owners wish for their colts to have their names added to the list of winners of the first Group 1 of the Deauville program.
On Sunday, July 6, on the Normandy coast, it was Woodshauna who claimed the 2025 edition with great courage under the colors of her American owner John Stewart (Resolute Racing), trained by Chantilly based Francis-Henri Graffard, and ridden by the jockey Christophe Soumillon.
Woodshauna is a great achievement for a small breeder from Western France, the Haras du Magouet (Loire-Atlantique) of Marie and Patrick Lemarié, who made his trade of as a car dealer.
Woodshauna will be back on August 10 in Deauville for the Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest - Fonds Européen de l’Élevage (Group 1), during the Deauville Barrière Meeting!
Quotes from connections
Francis-Henri Graffard (Chantilly Training Centre), trainer of Woodshauna (1st)
« This is a colt who keeps improving. I decided to skip Ascot to prepare for this race. Every time he moved up in class, he responded well, and with style. He is very well mentally, increasingly handsome, and getting stronger. Christophe Soumillon, his jockey, says he still has a lot of speed. The race, having been boxed in for a long time, allowed him to unleash his acceleration. He’s fast, and he can quicken!
It’s magnificent for John Stewart, the new owner, who is fantastic for my stable. He respects his horses and sets himself goals. I hope this will make him want to stay in Europe. The horse is entered in the Prix Maurice de Gheest. We’ll see how he comes out of this race, but we can try this challenge. He really improves with racing, but I’ve always liked him. »
Christopher Head (Chantilly Training Centre), trainer of Maranoa Charlie (2nd)
« I’m delighted with his performance. I haven’t seen the times yet, but this is by far the best he has ever done in his career. He loves this track. With the owners, we have decided to target the City of York Stakes (Gr2, 1,400m) on August 23 at York. He showed today that he knows how to pick up at the end of the race. He’s really tough, with an incredible mentality.
I still think he’s one of the best horses I’ve ever trained. I’m eager to see him win his Group 1 because he fully deserves it. And in the long term, he’ll keep improving. The colts by Wootton Bassett are really impressive over time. »
Aidan O’Brien (Ireland), trainer of The Lion In Winter (3rd)
« The horse ran very well, we’re very happy. The Lion In Winter has a lot of speed. Now, we have two options: the Sussex Stakes (Group 1) or here in Deauville on the mile [The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques Le Marois, editor’s note]. »