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News In Brief of French Racing and Trotting - 2nd November 2021.
This week, the News In Brief has plenty of International developments including the Breeders' Cup Meeting and Hong Kong Entries. Alongside, domestic news with Deauville and Cabourg featuring.
Breeders' Cup Meeting
In the G1 Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (1600m) France is represented by Malavath (Mehmas) who won the G2 Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte (1200m) at Chantilly last month. She is raised to 1600m for the first time with trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard, stating he believes she will get the trip well on the quick track and surface. France's strongest chance at the two-day meeting may come from G1 Prix de l'Opera (2000m) winner Rougir (Territories) for Cedric Rossi, who is having a stellar season. The three-year-old filly competes in the G1 Breeders' Cup filly & Mare Turf (2200m).
Hong Kong Entries
Entries have been made for the Hong Kong International races, to be staged at Sha Tin on December 12. France is no stranger to success in the G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m), winning with Jim And Tonic (Double Bed) in 1999, Pride (Peintre Celebre) in 2006 and Vision d'Etat (Chichicastenago) in 2009. This season's impressive G1 Champion Stakes (2000m) winner Sealiway (Galiway) is set to head the French challenge. The improving three-year-old also has the option of contending the G1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m), with other candidates such as the Alain de Royer-Dupre pair of Valia (Sea The Stars) and Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor), alongside the Godolphin-owned Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro). Sweet Lady (Lope de Vega), Bubble Gift (Nathaniel), Monty (Motivator) and Eudaimonia (Vision d'Etat) could also take part.
St Mark's Basilica
Coolmore announced the arrival of their new stallion - four-time Group One winning three-year-old champion - St Mark's Basilica (Siyouni). The winner of the two French Colts Classics, the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (1600m) and G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) will stand for a fee of €65,000 and is the most expensive ever newcomer to join the Coolmore Stud.
Ambition
The Xavier-Thomas Demeaulte-trained Ambition (Dubawi), who ran ninth in the G1 Prix de l'Opera (2000m), is on target to compete for one final time before a new career as a broodmare. She will head to the G3 Prix Fille de l'Air (2100m) at Toulouse on November 11.
Mister Saint Paul
Impressive winner of the Listed Prix Isonomy (1600m) at Deauville two weeks ago, Mister Saint Paul (Dariyan) could race in the Listed Prix Herod (1400m) at Chantilly on November 19 if the ground is testing.
Purplepay
Daughter of the Aga Khan's exciting freshman sire, Zarak (Dubawi), Purplepay finished third in the G1 Critérium International (1600m) behind Angel Bleu (Dark Angel). She will be offered at the Auctay Flash Sale on November 4. The Lisa Lemiere Dubois-bred two-year-old was originally sold to Jean-Claude Rouget for €100,000 at Arqana's Select Yearling Sale last season. The youngster is a granddaughter of a half-sister to dam of top-flight winners Most Improved (Lawman) and Ectot (Hurricane Run).
Bellharbour Music
Narrow G3 Prix Daphnis (1600m) winner at Deauville in August, Bellharbour Music (Mshawish) was due to run in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein (1600m) at the 'Arc' meeting but was an absentee owing to ground concerns. He went through the sale ring but was bought back for €550,000 with the aim to compete in Dubai during the winter.
Bobbymurphy
Frédéric Rossi has reported his progressive three-year-old, Bobbymurphy, has had a small setback. He expects the Intello colt to recover in time for a return to Cagnes-sur-Mer at the start of next year.
Ecurie D
The son of Infinitive, out of a Coktail Jet mare, was an excellent winner of the $650,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot at the Meadowlands racetrack. This five-year-old is now two from two since arriving in the US. Ecurie D, trained by Ake Svanstedt, overcame trouble in-running to win comfortably in a mile time of 1'09"6. He joins the list of great European winners of this contest, including Bold Eagle (2019), Commander Crowe (2014) and Equinox Bi (2007).
Yoann Lebourgeois
After recovering quicker than anticipated following being assaulted in front of his home, the leading rider returned to action with success in the fourth race at Cabourg last week (October 28) when steering Ghostbuster (Niky) to victory.
Cabourg Trotting Juveniles
After qualifying at Grosbois on September 10 with the quickest two-year-old time in France this season, Jushua Tree (Bold Eagle) did not disappoint on debut. The Jean-Michel Bazire-trained youngster won with plenty in hand at Cabourg in a kilometre time of 1'15"3. Jeegha Pride (Charly du Noyer) impressed with an all-way-way victory in the fillies equivalent. Both talented juveniles are descendants of super sire Ready Cash.
