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News In Brief of French Racing and Trotting - 24th February 2021.
This week's news-in-brief includes entries for the French Classics, a first foal for De Bon Coeur and French success abroad...
Gran Premio Mario Locatelli
Last year's G1 Grand Prix d'Amérique (2700m) fifth, Vitruvio could finish no better than eighth in the G3 Gran Premio Mario Locatelli (1650m) at Milan. The Alessandro Gocciadoro trained son of Adrian Chip was never in contention and looked a shadow of himself. Victory went to the eight-year-old Deimos Racing with Zaccaria Bar finishing second and Vincero Bar back in third.
Yannick Henry
The remarkable winter season of Yannick Henry's stable continued as they took home the Prix de La Gacilly (2850m) thanks to Fantasia de Ligny. This was the stables' tenth winner which is quite remarkable for a yard consisting of only ten horses.
Van Beethoven
Haras de Grandcamp's new stallion Van Beethoven was on show at Compiegne racecourse to potential breeders this week. A free visit was drawn on the day and the winners were Panorama Bloodstock.
Paul's Saga
The David Cottin trained seven-year-old mare Paul's Saga failed to bring home the goods when runner-up in the Listed St Marys Land Mares' Hurdle (4200m) at Warwick (UK) on Monday. The French raider had to settle for second but still performed creditably behind Dan Skelton's improving mare Molly Ollys Wishes.
Intellogent
Intellogent bounced back to winning ways on Tuesday when producing a comfortable success in the class two Prix de Chauvry (1900m) at Chantilly. Held-up early by Stephane Pasquier the pair made their challenge down the outside to take it up 100m from the line. The son of Intello had not crossed the line in front since G1 victory in 2018 renewal of the G1 Prix Jean Prat (1600m) at Deauville.
Le Trot Payments
Eight million euros have been allocated as a single bonus for French trotters. A €750 fee will be paid to owners for each French trotter aged 3-10 years that have run between May 11th and December 31st, 2020. The horse will not have earned more than €12,000 over the whole of 2020. A €90 will bonus will be paid to the breeders of these horses.
Castle
The Christophe Ferland trained Castle remained unbeaten when tackling the turf for the first time in the class three Prix des Glycines (2400m) at Cagnes-Sur-Mer last week. Always positioned well by Pierre-Charles Boudot the colt quickened smartly off a slow pace giving the impression there was plenty more to come. He is the the son of Frankel and is out of the mare Plumania, winner of the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m) and the G2 Prix Corrida (2000m). The mare by Anabaa also finished runner-up in the G1 Prix Vermeille (2400m) twice, and third in the G1 Prix de Diane (2000m).
Maxime Guyon
Maxime Guyon's skills were seen to best effect when providing Devious Company with a perfectly timed ride to win the Al Biddah Mile (G2 – Local) in Doha. Held up patiently off the pace, Maxime Guyon found a scene up the inside to score by a length over the French bred Pom Malpic. Thunderstone finished third.
Mishriff
The G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) winner Mishriff added to his already superb CV when storming to victory in the world's richest race, The Saudi Cup (1800m). The son of Make Believe had a perfect trip round in third, tracking the American duo, and when David Egan pulled his mount to the outside turning for home the result was inevitable. It was a momentous moment for the 21-year-old Newmarket (UK) based rider, who previously missed out riding the champion in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) and in the G2 Prix d'Or Guillaume d'Ornano (2000m).
Call The Wind
Call the Wind was unable to defend his title of the Long-Distance Turf Handicap (3000m) when looking a shadow of himself after leading at a steady pace. The Freddy Head trained son of Frankel was beaten turning for home and was eased down in the home straight. One would hope he can bounce back to somewhere near his best when next seen and continue an already brilliant career.
Marion Lemonner
Marion Lemonnier recorded her first win as a trainer when Habibi won last Friday at Graignes. Following a driving career recording 81 winners, she has turned her talents to training and this win was recorded with only her second race starter. She currently has three horses in training.
French Classic Nominations
France-Galop has received 864 nominations for the six Group One Classic generation races – representing a decrease of 15%, except the Grand Prix de Paris which is down 5%. The first of the Classic races, the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (1600m) saw 103 entries whilst the fillies equivalent, found 130 horses were nominated. G1 Criterium International (1600m) and European Two-Year-old of 2020 Van Gogh, trained by Aiden O'Brien headed a strong book of names for the colts.
Atalante
Following an impressive debut victory at Chantilly in January, connections have high hopes for the filly Atalante with an ambitious programme including the G1 Prix St-Alary (2000m) and Classic G1 Prix Diane (2100m) on her spring programme. She is expected to return to the track in early March in a Conditions race and if she measures up could follow a traditional Classic race trial programme.
Tasmania & Frontgate
Two promising Wertheimer Brother owned three years-olds will return to the track with feature races targeted. Tasmania rounded off last season with a second in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac (1600m) and will be given more time before a planned mid-April reappearance on the racetrack in preparation of a Classic campaign. Frontgate, a listed placegetter, is not expected to be tried over longer journeys and kept for races around 1400m.
De Bon Coeur
Winner of 11 Group races over hurdles at Auteuil, De Bon Coeur has given birth to a filly by Doctor Dino after being bred and born at Saint-Voir Stud-Farm in West France. In turn, her dam – Santa Bamba – is in foal to Hazard and expected to give birth before the end of the month. She will then be mated to No Risk At All for the upcoming season. Her now three-year-old De Bonne Grace is in training with Francois Nicolle.
