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News In Brief of French Racing and Trotting - 5th August 2021.
It has been another busy week in French racing and trotting including further International success for Face Time Bourbon in Belgium, a French trained winner at the Glorious Goodwood Festival (UK), plus much more…
Face Time Bourbon
This time it was Mons racecourse in Belgium that hosted Face Time Bourbon's latest feature race victory and his sixteenth Group One success when drawing clear in style once again to remain, clearly, the best Trotter in Europe. There was drama prior to the running of the G1 Grand Prix de Wallonie (2300m) on Sunday where the heavy rain meant the autostart car could not be used as it was deemed to be at risk of skidding or colliding.
Quest the Moon
It has been hinted that Quest the Moon will make his comeback in the class two Prix du Logis (2000m) at Deauville this week after almost a year off the track. After running in the G1 German Derby (2400m) finishing fourth in 2019 and G1 Dallmayr-Preis third, he was last seen eleven months ago at Baden-Baden in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden (2400m) when sixth of eight. The multiple Group Two winner is hoping to show that ability is still there and to keep the dream alive of tackling higher-level targets in the future.
Inferno Piper
Inferno Piper put his name in the Enghien recordbook on Saturday breaking the 2875m record, only one week later than when Izoard Védaquais managed the same yet brief title. The Vincent Martens three-year-old posted a very smart kilometre rating of 1'13''5, replacing the week-long time of 1'13''7 in the Class A Prix du Roule (2875m). One possible target could be the G1 Critérium des 3 Ans at Vincennes next winter.
Glorious Goodwood Festival (UK)
There was five days of top-quality action on the South Downs of the UK at Goodwood with plenty of French interest.
Audarya
Despite only finishing fifth of six in the G1 Nassau Fillies Stakes (2000m) last Thursday, Audarya still may head to the G1 Prix Jean Romanet (2000m) at Deauville later this month before possible long-term goals including the G1 Prix de l'Opéra (2000m) at Longchamp and the Breeders 'Cup in the USA.
Lady Bowthorpe
Lady Bowthorpe who won the G1 Nassau Fillies Stakes (2000m) looks likely to contest the same Deauville race as Audarya running in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet (2000m) on Sunday 22 August, as part of the Deauville summer carnival.
Away He Goes
Away He Goes produced a career best effort when second in the G1 Goodwood Cup (3200m) last Tuesday and may well head to Deauville on Sunday 22 August to the G2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) before further International exploits to Australia for the G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November and then Dubai.
Wonderful Tonight
Wonderful Tonight continued her winning run securing a four-timer when winning on Saturday in the G2 Lillie Langtry Fillies and Mares Stakes (2800m). The daughter of Le Havre was ridden by William Buick (who was married 24 hours later). The G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m) remains the main target and Olivier Peslier has been confirmed to ride Wonderful Tonight in the Autumn highlight.
Suesa
Suesa was a dominating three length winner of the G2 King George Stakes (1000m) on Friday to give Francois Rohaut a notable triumph with this win being the first for a French trained horse to win this Group Two since 1956. She looked impressive and her career stands at five wins from six career starts.
French Trotter European Tour
The French Trotter European Tour returns in 2021 after having a year break due to Covid-19. This series will be conducted in five different countries:
29 August - Victoria Park Grand Prix - Wolvega - Netherlands
14 September- Prix du Président - Avenches - Switzerland
26 September - Balearic Grand Prix - Son Pardo - Spain
10 October - Gelsenkirchen Grand Prix - Germany
23 October - Grand Prix de la Toussaint - Mons – Belgium