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News In Brief of French Racing and Trotting - 5th May 2021.
This week's news-in-brief covers updates on the Elitloppet, stallion success for Wings of Eagles and the death of champion On The Go...
Vichy
Vichy reopened its doors on Monday and looks ahead towards a summer festival of racing. A flagship site of the French equestrian scene with forty annual meetings, including twenty two for trotting races, with a principal Speed Cup confirmed. There will be two qualifying races over 1609m with the first six from each heat qualifying for the €46,000 final.
Laura Vanska
Having held a trainer's licence since the end of 2020, Finland's Laura Vunsko has saddled her fourth runner and first winner in the shape of Baptisia. The three-year-old filly opened her account in the Prix Auchan Wissembourg (Maiden) at the second time of asking. She was ridden by Augustin Madamet, who became a professional on April 28th at Saint-Cloud.
Pads
To give the public eye more information, pads will now appear in the race program, from 1 May. As of 28 April the trainer is required to declare if the horses of his stable will participate in races by being shod, tackled, or unshod.
Trophée Vert
The next round of the Trophée Vert series took place on Sunday at Rambouillet where the barefooted, eight-year-old Détroit Ace found success. Clearly the change of surface for the Damien Lecroq trained gelding proved significant. A potential future target could be the Provincial Grand Prix on the grass and left-handed which could suit Détroit Ace.
Elitloppet
There was further updates on the Elitloppet which takes place on Sunday 30 May in Sweden where Jean-Michel Bazire's Dorgos de Guez could feature after accepting an invite last week. He will arrive having only ever made one attempt at the 1600m distance when sixth in the 2019 G2 Prix de Washington at Enghien. Dorgos de Guez has earnt almost a million euros.
Dominik Cordeau
Trotting trainer Dominik Cordeau has passed away aged 62. He will be fondly remembered for his successful career including a second placed finish in the G1 Prix d'Amérique (2400m). However, he was also president of the Angoulême Racing Society, where we worked hard to improve flat and jumps tracks, now recognized for their quality by professionals.
G1 Prix Saint-Alary (2000m)
The Nick Bradley-owned pair Fev Rover and Mystery Angel will look towards the G1 Prix Saint-Alary (2000m) at Longchamp on 24 May. Fev Rover finished fourth in the G1 1000 Guineas Stakes (1600m) at Newmarket (UK) on Sunday whilst Mystery Angel provided her trainer George Boughey with his first black-type success when taking out the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes (2000m).
Duhail
Duhail produced a career best when taking out the G2 Prix du Muguet (1600m) at Saint-Cloud on Saturday. The four-year-old gelding may look towards the G1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) (UK) at Royal Ascot or the G1 Sussex Stakes (1600m) (UK) at Goodwood.
Wings Of Eagles
Epsom Derby winner Wings Of Eagles, enjoyed his first success as a stallion when his daughter Jolienene obliged at the second time of asking at Nimes. The two-year-old finished third on her debut at Marseille prior to going two better this time around. The Charley Rossi-trained filly is out of the Hanoumma mare Bomba and was conceived when Wings Of Eagles stood at Haras de Montaigu. Wings Of Eagles is a son of 2011 Epsom Derby victor Pour Moi and Poule d'Essai des Pouliches third Ysoldina.
Auquainville Stud
Emmanuel Trussardi, who runs the Auquainville stud farm in Normandy, broke the news of two new arrivals. Pride of Love (Siyouni) has given birth to a product by Cloth of Stars. The broodmare is set to visit Almanzor at some stage this year.
Meanwhile, the mother of Pride of Love, Alexandrina, has produced a colt by Almanzor. Alexandrina has notably produced Kings Sock's runner-up in the G1 Prix Alain du Breil (3900m) at Auteuil and Mango Tango, second in the G2 Prix de Pomone (2500m) at Deauville. Alexandrina will visit Sottsass in 2021.
Augustin Madamet
Augustin Madamet won his 85th race in his career last week at Saint Cloud on Wednesday when steering Flawless Lady to success in the Prix de Ma Beauté handicap. Augustin Madamet had caught the eye in pony races before joining the ranks of gentlemen-riders in 2018 when he won the Golden Whip.
On The Go
The champion On The Go has been retired. Xavier Papot confirmed that the horse was retiring due to recurring lung problems. On The Go was successful in both the G1 Prix Maurice Gillois (4400m) and G1 Grand Steeple-chase de Paris (6000m). The horse was then kept off the track with injury for almost two years. Since his successful return to the hurdles at Fontainebleau on February 18th, 2020, he has not been able to cross the line in front.
Antoine Griezmann
The French international footballer and owner Antoine Griezmann has become a new ambassador for the PMU. The footballer will be a guest star of the next PMU commercial, which is scheduled to air in June. He will also look to promote both trotting and thoroughbred racing throughout the season.
