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Weekly Round-Up of French Racing and Trotting - 26th October 2021.
This week's round-up includes one of the feature races of the year at Caen, Black Type action from Saint-Cloud and Listed races from Deauville...
Date | Monday 18th October |
Venue | Compiègne |
Race | Listed Prix Vatelys (3450m) |
Type | Steeplechase. Three-year-olds |
Winner | Gibralfaro |
Jockey/Driver | Geoffrey-Gilles Vibert |
Trainer | François Nicolle |
Breeding | Prince Gibraltar X Marmoom Flower |
Second | Iamastar |
Third | Bahiosun |
The François Nicolle-trained three-year-old took the step up to Listed company in his stride when running out a ready winner of the Prix Vatelys (3450m). Held up in rear under a patient Geoffrey-Gilles Vibert the pair began to make steady headway weaving through rivals before drawing away in the closing stages. The son of Prince Gibraltar remains completely unexposed over fences and should have plenty more to offer. |
Date | Monday 18th October |
Venue | Compiègne |
Race | Listed Prix Roger Saint (3800m) |
Type | Steeplechase. Four-year-olds |
Winner | Starlet du Mesnil |
Jockey/Driver | Bertrand Lestrade |
Trainer | François Nicolle |
Breeding | No Risk At All X Scarlett du Mesnil |
Second | Placenet |
Third | Hermès de Mée |
The daughter of No Risk At All made it six wins from nine career starts when running out a ready five-and-a-half length winner of the Prix Roger Saint (3800m). Always travelling well under Bertrand Lestrade the four-year-old showed a nice turn of foot putting distance between his rivals up the home straight. Unbeaten in two outings over fences, a step up in grade looks likely for this promising filly given she had contested the G1 Prix Alain du Breil (3900m) when hurdling earlier this year. |
Date | Tuesday 19th October |
Venue | Deauville |
Race | G3 Prix des Réservoirs (1600m) |
Type | Two-year-olds |
Winner | Rosacea |
Jockey/Driver | Théo Bachelot |
Trainer | Stéphane Wattel |
Breeding | Soldier Hollow X Relizane |
Second | Queen Trezy |
Third | Batz |
Rosacea made it three wins from four career starts when running out a cosy one length winner of the G3 Prix des Réservoirs (1600m) at Deauville. Patiently handled by jockey Théo Bachelot the daughter of Soldier Hollow picked up smartly under hands and heels once the gaps appeared. The Stéphane Wattel-trained filly looks to have plenty more to offer and it would be no surprise to see her stepping up in grade soon. |
Date | Tuesday 19th October |
Venue | Deauville |
Race | Listed Prix Zeddaan (1200m) |
Type | Two-year-olds |
Winner | Honey Sweet |
Jockey/Driver | Cristian Demuro |
Trainer | Karl R. Burke |
Breeding | Adaay X Sweet Sienna |
Second | Hellomydarlin |
Third | Feel Your Power |
Honey Sweet led home a one two for owner Nick Bradley when running out a cosy winner over Hellomydarlin in the Listed Prix Zeddaan (1200m). The pair controlled the race from start to finish but it was the Karl R. Burke-trained filly who proved stronger at the line. This success was a second in a Stakes race for sire Adaay. |
Date | Wednesday 20th October |
Venue | Deauville |
Race | Listed Prix Isonomy (1600m) |
Type | Two-year-olds |
Winner | Mister Saint Paul |
Jockey/Driver | Théo Bachelot |
Trainer | Etienne & Grégoire Leenders |
Breeding | Dariyan X Elusive Kay |
Second | Saving Grace |
Third | Chancellery |
Mister Saint Paul sprung a surprise winning the Listed Prix Isonomy (1600m) at Deauville. The Etienne & Grégoire Leenders-trained filly recorded her first career success at the fifth time of asking when running out a ready one-and-a-quarter length winner. Always well positioned by jockey Théo Bachelot the daughter of Dariyan showed a good attitude seeing off runner-up Saving Grace. Dariyan currently stands at Haras de Bonneval for a fee of €8,000. |
Date | Wednesday 20th October |
Venue | Deauville |
Race | G3 Prix Vulcain (2500m) |
Type | Three-year-olds |
Winner | Darzan |
Jockey/Driver | Christophe Soumillon |
Trainer | Mikel Delzangles |
Breeding | Le Havre X Darkazinia |
Second | Pouvoir Royal |
Third | Timour |
The drop back in trip appeared to do the trick for the Aga Khan owned Darzan as he ran out a ready one-and-three-quarter length winner of the Prix Vulcain (2500m). Positioned just off the pace by jockey Christophe Soumillon the three-year-old gelding travelled strongly before showing a likeable attitude in the closing stages. There should be plenty more to come from this son of Le Havre who looks sure to improve with age. Le Havre currently stands at Montfort et Preaux for a fee of €40,000. |
Date | Thursday 21st October |
Venue | Auteuil |
Race | G3 Haras d'Etreham - Prix Magne (3600m) |
Type | Three-year-olds hurdle (fillies) |
Winner | Hawaï du Berlais |
Jockey/Driver | Pierre Dubourg |
Trainer | Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé |
Breeding | Martaline X Hilton du Berlais |
Second | La Chenevière |
Third | Matilda du Berlais |
Hawaï du Berlais followed up her stylish debut success in the Listed Prix Finot (Pouliches) (3600m) at Auteuil with a cosy victory in the G3 Haras d'Etreham - Prix Magne (3600m) over the same course and distance. The Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé daughter of Martaline stayed on strongly under hands and heels riding. There was plenty to like about her display on this second career start and she remains open to a good deal of improvement. Martaline is a top-class sire of jumps horses and currently stands at Haras de Montaigu for a private fee. |
Date | Saturday 23rd October |
Venue | Saint-Cloud |
Race | G3 Prix Perth (1600m) |
Type | Three-year-old plus |
Winner | Magny Cours |
Jockey/Driver | Mickaël Barzalona |
Trainer | André Fabre |
Breeding | Medaglia d'Oro X Indy Five Hundred |
Second | Century Dream |
Third | Brentford Hope |
The Godolphin-bred Magny Cours went one better than his promising second in the G2 Prix Dollar (2000m) last time out when winning the G3 Prix Perth (1600m). Settled towards the rear of the field the six-year-old made good headway before snugly overhauling pacesetter Century Dream late on. Magny Cours is a half-brother to five winners. Medaglia d'Oro was an outstanding dirt performer and currently stands at Jonabell Farm, Kentucky (USA) for approximately €86,000. |
Date | Saturday 23rd October |
Venue | Saint-Cloud |
Race | G3 Prix Belle de Nuit (2800m) |
Type | Three-year-old plus (fillies) |
Winner | Control Tower |
Jockey/Driver | Cristian Demuro |
Trainer | Nicolas Clément |
Breeding | Youmzain X La Tour Rouge |
Second | Joie de Soir |
Third | Lubiane |
Following a solid effort in the G1 Prix de Royallieu (2800m) at Longchamp Control Tower returned to winning ways in the G3 Prix Belle de Nuit (2800m). Held up early under jockey Cristian Demuro the daughter of Youmzain stayed on powerfully in the closing stages putting an impressive six-lengths between her and the field. Three-time G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up Youmzain currently stands at Glenview Stud (IRE) for a private fee. |
Date | Saturday 23rd October |
Venue | Saint-Cloud |
Race | G3 Prix de Flore (2100m) |
Type | Three-year-old plus (fillies) |
Winner | Sweet Lady |
Jockey/Driver | Ioritz Mendizabal |
Trainer | Francis-Henri Graffard |
Breeding | Lope de Vega X High Heel Sneakers |
Second | Jupyra |
Third | Anasia |
Sweet Lady followed up her good second in the G3 Prix Bertrand de Tarragon (1800m) at Chantilly when going one better to land the G3 Prix de Flore (2100m). Switched wide by jockey Ioritz Mendizabal having been held up early, the daughter of Lope de Vega ran on strongly for a one-length success. Top sire and multiple Group One winner Lope de Vega currently stands at Ballylinch Stud (IRE) for a fee of €125,000. |
Date | Sunday 24th October |
Venue | Longchamp |
Race | Listed Prix de Saint-Cyr (1400m) |
Type | Three-year-old (fillies) |
Winner | Miss Louna |
Jockey/Driver | Olivier Peslier |
Trainer | Frédéric Rossi |
Breeding | Goken X Pearlred |
Second | Almeida Girl |
Third | Wooturn |
Miss Louna recorded a first stakes success when running out a narrow winner in a thrilling renewal of the Listed Prix de Saint-Cyr (1400m). The Frédéric Rossi-trained three-year-old showed great determination and battling qualities under an all-action Olivier Peslier who had to be at his very best to help aid the daughter of Goken home. Goken was a classy sprinter on his day and currently stands at Haras de Colleville (FR) for a fee of €15,000. |
Date | Tuesday, October 19, 2021 |
Venue | Vincennes |
Race | R4 – G3 Prix Phact (2700m) |
Type | Three-year-old mounted |
Winner | Iberik de Mongochy |
Jockey/Driver | François Lagadeuc |
Trainer | Pierre Louis Desaunette |
Breeding | Un Amour d'Haufor x Rayonnante |
Second | Idaho a la Bruyere |
Third | Isabella du Parc |
Iberik de Mongochy made it three wins from three starts in mounted races, with a comfortable victory at his first attempt in Group company. The Pierre Louis Desaunette-trained three-year-old settled in rear before hitting the front at the end of the back straight. He maintained a comfortable margin ahead of his rivals and was in no danger thereafter. The son of Un Amour d'Haufor hit the line in a kilometre time of 1'14"9 to win with plenty to spare. |
Date | Tuesday, October 19, 2021 |
Venue | Vincennes |
Race | R5 – G3 Prix Timocharis (2700m) |
Type | Three-year-old walk up |
Winner | Instinct d'Am |
Jockey/Driver | Gabriele Gelormini |
Trainer | Hansen Erik Bondo |
Breeding | Bold Eagle x Timba Madrik |
Second | I Love Me |
Third | Ibra Meslois |
Three-year-old colt Instinct d'Am produced a career-best performance to land a first Group victory. He was always handily placed, against the pegs in second, before throwing down a strong challenge to the long-time leader I Love Me approaching the home straight. The son of Bold Eagle gained the lead in the final strides and put a disappointing disqualification in the G3 Prix Kurse (2100m) firmly behind him. His best runs to date have come tackling the longer distances of 2700m and 2825m of the Vincennes racecourse. |
Date | Wednesday, October 20, 2021 |
Venue | Vincennes |
Race | R1 – G3 Grand National du Trot Paris-Turf (2750m) |
Type | Five-to-ten-year-old walk up |
Winner | Gout Baroque |
Jockey/Driver | Alexandre Abrivard |
Trainer | Thierry Raffegeau |
Breeding | Offshore Dream x Joie Baroque |
Second | Fly Speed |
Third | Dayan Winner |
Gout Baroque maintained his consistent record for this campaign delivering a hard-fought victory under a determined drive from Alexandre Abrivard. The Thierry Raffegeau-trained colt sat midfield before making a move towards the front exiting the back straight for the final time. He was fourth on entry to the home straight, with his confident driver letting him stride to the front at the 200m marker. Engaged in a duel under maximum pressure, he managed to just get the better of Fly Speed at the line, with the pair pulling clear of rivals. A fine fifth in the G1 Sulky 5 ans finale – Criterium des 5 ans (3000m) on his penultimate outing, Gout Baroque was a winner in Group Two company over 2850m in May. This latest was a tenth career win. The promise of further successes is within reach for this improving five-year-old. He will return to Vincennes for the final of this competition on Sunday, December 5, however faces the likes of Crack Money, Fire Cracker and Bugsy Malone. |
Date | Saturday 23 October 2021 |
Venue | Caen |
Race | R8 – G3 Prix de la Ville de Caen (4400m) |
Type | International driven for five- to ten-year-olds |
Winner | Fakir du Lorault |
Jockey/Driver | François Lecanu |
Trainer | Mickaël Charuel |
Breeding | Vaillant Cash x Native du Lorault |
Second | Echo de Chanlecy |
Third | Bugsy Malone |
One of the biggest races of the year at Caen went to six-year-old, Fakir du Lorault who came with a strong late effort after the marathon trip of 4400m. He kicked clear inside the final 200m and won impressively delivering an eleventh career success following up his grass Craon triumph. |