Torquator Tasso sprang a huge surprise with victory for Germany in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris on Oct. 3. Trainer Marcel Weiss had said in the build-up he had been hoping for a place "with a perfect race and perfect conditions" but the 2020 German Horse of the Year exceeded his expectations, rallying stoutly on the outside to gain the lead nearing the finish. He won by three-quarters of a length in a final time of 2:37.62 for 1 1/2 miles on at turf course rated as heavy.
Month: October 2021
Abbaye Glory For Hot Streak’s A Case Of You
Fast-becoming renowned for his lethal finishing kick, Gary Devlin's A Case of You (Ire) (Hot Streak {Ire}) had just missed out in the G1 Flying Five but the line was there in time for him in Sunday's G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines, a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar in November.
Having only his second start at this five-furlong trip, the 3-year-old who was supplemented following his Curragh flourish on Irish Champions Weekend needed every centimetre of it to break the heart of the runaway Air de Valse (Fr) (Mesnil Des Aigles {Fr}) and prevail by a short head. Kept in the hunt by Ronan Whelan racing amongst the pack early, the 10-1 shot matched his rider's tenacity in carving out enough space to begin his pursuit of Corine Barande-Barbe's ParisLongchamp specialist who had shrugged off Winter Power (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) on the front end passing two out. It was desperate stuff entering the closing stages, with the 48-1 looking set to cling on but the star of the Adrian McGuinness yard pointed his head out for the mirror and had it there marginally ahead for the judge. Nothing else was able to close out of the main bunch and there was a yawning five-length margin back to Glass Slippers (GB) (Dream Ahead), who had won this in 2019 and was second last year, while the 5-2 favourite Suesa (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) was a laboured fifth. “When he was second in the Flying Five he was my first ever runner in a group 1 and we supplemented him for this race last week because I knew he'd improve,” trainer “Ado” explained. “He was a three-grand yearling and a very cheap horse–I just can't believe it.”
Coming to the fore when taking The Curragh's re-arranged G3 Anglesey S. in October for trainer John McConnell, A Case of You the G3 Goffs Lacken S. showed he was no flash-in-the-pan on his seasonal return when comprehensively accounting for the subsequent black-type scorers Logo Hunter (Ire) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) and Mooneista (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) in a six-furlong conditions event at Dundalk Mar. 19. Last of 12 trying an extra furlong in the Listed Ballylinch Stud 2000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown Apr. 11, the bay had the eventual G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Laws of Indices (Ire) (Power {GB}) back in fourth reverting to six in the G3 Lacken S. at Naas May 16. Only 11th in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot June 18, he was third after a break in The Curragh's G3 Phoenix Sprint S. Aug. 8 before his late show against Romantic Proposal (Ire) (Raven's Pass) in the Sept. 12 Flying Five.
“He's just got better and better and I think he'll be a very good horse next year,” McGuinness said. “He's thriving and I knew he was right today–he wasn't when he ran in the Commonwealth Cup. I have a good sprinter that won the other night and he can't lay up with this horse. Ronan's a world-class jockey and I told him not to panic, as I knew he'd stay really well. He'll be better on better ground and we'll definitely look at the Breeders' Cup. It's either that or we put him away and look at Dubai in the spring–he's definitely going to travel.”
Barande-Barbe had to suffer the dejection of losing out so late in the game, having looked certain to prevail with her homebred Air de Valse whose efforts over this strip include a win in the 2020 G3 Prix du Petit Couvert when she had beaten last year's Abbaye hero Wooded (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). “It is so frustrating to lose by so little, as to win a group 1 race changes the life of a trainer,” she said. “I'm so proud of my filly–Longchamp is her garden.”
A Case of You, who becomes the first group 1 winner for his Haras d'Annebault-based sire, is out of Karjera (Ire) (Key of Luck) who is a full-sister to the Listed Rochestown S. winner Akanti (Ire) and to Lock and Key (Ire) who was placed in the GIII Las Cienegas H., the G3 Brownstown S., G3 Round Tower S. and G3 International S. From the family of the GII Delaware H. winner Summer Wind Dancer (Siberian Summer) and the GIII All American H. and G3 Diomed S.-winning sire Bluegrass Prince (Ire), Karjera's unraced 2-year-old filly by Alhebayeb (Ire) is named Ali Babes (Ire).
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE L'ABBAYE DE LONGCHAMP LONGINES-G1, €350,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-3, 2yo/up, 5fT, :58.02, hy.
1–A CASE OF YOU (IRE), 131, c, 3, by Hot Streak (Ire)
1st Dam: Karjera (Ire), by Key of Luck
2nd Dam: Lock's Heath, by Topsider
3rd Dam: Lock's Dream, by Youth
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€3,000 RNA Ylg '19 GOFSPT). O-Gary Devlin; B-Limestone and Tara Studs (IRE); T-Adrian McGuinness; J-Ronan Whelan. €199,990. Lifetime Record: MGSW & G1SP-Ire, 10-5-1-2, $345,390. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Air de Valse (Fr), 133, m, 5, Mesnil des Aigles (Fr)–Air Bag (Fr), by Poliglote (GB). O/B/T-Corine Barande-Barbe (FR). €80,010.
3–Glass Slippers (GB), 133, m, 5, Dream Ahead–Night Gypsy (GB), by Mind Games (GB). O/B-Bearstone Stud Ltd (GB); T-Kevin Ryan. €40,005.
Margins: SHD, 5, SHD. Odds: 10.80, 48.00, 5.60.
Also Ran: Mo Celita (Ire), Suesa (Ire), Ponntos (Ire), O Trasno (Fr), Winter Power (Ire), Lady In France (GB), Romantic Proposal (Ire), Pradaro (Fr), Wild Majesty (Ire), Dandalla (Ire), Berneuil (Ire). Scratched: Urban Beat (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
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Territories’ Rougir Takes The Opera On The Line
Le Haras de la Gousserie's 3-year-old Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) ran third in last year's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac, following up with a win in Deauville's Oct. 20 G3 Prix des Reservoirs, but was winless in six outings this term. Lining up for Sunday's G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines at ParisLongchamp coming back off a narrow defeat when third in August's G2 Prix de la Nonette, the 23-1 outsider continued the theme of long-priced winners on the Bois de Boulogne venue's card with a last-gasp thrust to deny G1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine Grand Glory (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) in a bobbing finish for a career high. This campaign has not been without its notable moments for the March-foaled chestnut, with a third in the July 18 G3 Prix Chloe at Chantilly and a fourth in the Aug. 3 G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville the stand-out efforts so far. Rougir employed patient tactics and settled in rear for most of the 10-furlong contest. Last of 14 turning for home, she made relentless headway under pressure in the straight to challenge out wide approaching the furlong marker and would not be denied under a late drive to nail Grand Glory on the line in a thrilling finish.
“It's my first Group 1 win, it's a moment I'll cherish forever and I'll certainly celebrate it,” beamed winning trainer Cedric Rossi. “She has been unlucky in some of her races, but she has never disappointed us in any way and today was the right day to win.”
Heading Stateside for a trip to Del Mar's Breeders' Cup meet is now on the cards for the winner, with the conditioner explaining, “This race has a “Win And You're In” ticket for the [GI] Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and, if she's well, she'll definitely go there.”
Haras de la Gousserie's Pauline Chehboub had added cause for celebration with the operation's representatives Skazino and Sealiway adding lustre to the weekend with fine performances in defeat in the G1 Prix du Cadran and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, respectively. “What a marvellous filly she is and she left her heart out on the track like she always does,” she said. “Rougir never runs a bad race, whatever the ground. Sometimes she has missed by a little and today the nose was in our favour. The whole family is here and she has capped a memorable weekend for us. Skazino ran well in Saturday's Cadran and it was a great performance by Sealiway in the Arc after such a long break. We are hoping to go to the Breeders' Cup next month.”
Maxime Guyon had registered just one prior win in the contest, that coming with Shalanaya (Ire) (Lomitas {GB}) in 2009, and the rider was in jubilant mood afterwards. “That went well!” he said. “Her trainer told me the ground wouldn't be a problem, but we were badly drawn and had to be patient. I would like to thank connections for trusting me again, as I didn't give her the best of rides [when a four-length eighth] in the French Guineas. It's magic and I am really happy for Cedric [Rossi] too. The filly really deserved that.”
As is so often the way in these ding-dong encounters, Gianluca Bietolini trainee Grand Glory was in front just before and just after the line, but the camera doesn't lie. Nonetheless, she outstripped her seventh in last year's renewal and a trip abroad might yet be on the cards before the paddocks beckon. “Grand Glory has run yet another huge race,” said Bietolini. “We won the Prix Jean Romanet by a nose and today we were beaten by one. That's the magic of racing and there are no excuses. This will be her last year in training and we will have a look at where she goes next. She has been invited to run in the [G1] Japan Cup, but nothing has been decided for the moment.”
Edouard Monfort was delighted with the run of 49-1 outsider Eudaimonia, who weaved a scenic passage from rear and stayed on to deny last term's G1 Prix Jean Romanet and GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) by a neck for third in the dying strides. “We have looked after Eudaimonia all year,” the trainer admitted. “With the help of John Hammond, racing manager for her owner, we have been able to keep her fresh all year. She didn't have ideal conditions for her first two runs of the year so we didn't force her. Today was the big day and we were glad that the rain came. We chose this race over the [Listed] Prix Dahlia and the [G2] Prix Dollar and it was the right decision to do so. She is a lovely mare who has improved massively. That was a proper race, there are no excuses for anyone and she deserved that. The front pair are two very good horses and well done to them, but I am also very proud of Eudaimonia. She is entered [in the G2 Premio Lydia Tesio] in Italy next month and if the ground is soft, we will have a look. There is also the [Oct. 17 G2] Prix du Conseil de Paris [back here] and we will see how she comes out of this. We might even think about travelling abroad with her this winter. Why not?”
Rougir, originally named Lune de Printemps (Fr), is the third of four foals and becomes the first Group 1 winner for her second-crop sire. Her dam, Listed Prix Coronation runner-up Summer Moon (Fr) (Elusive City), has produced the twice-raced 2-year-old gelding Lunaire (Fr) (Recorder {GB}) and is the leading performer bred from G3 Prix de Royaumont runner-up Kalatuna (Fr) (Green Tune). Rougir's third dam, Listed Prix Comte Gaston d'Oultremont victrix Kalasinger (Chief Singer {Ire}), is the best horse out of Kasala (Blushing Groom {Fr}). Kasala is a full-sister to Listed Prix de la Theve winner Kadissya, herself the dam of three stakes winners, headed by G1 Epsom Derby and G1 Irish Derby-winning sire Kahyasi (Ire) (Ile de Bourbon). Kasala is also kin to G3 Premio Roma Vecchia victrix Karkisiya (Caro {Ire}) as well as to the dam of G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine and G1 Irish St Leger runner-up Key Change (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}).
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE L'OPERA LONGINES-G1, €500,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-3, 3yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:11.15, hy.
1–ROUGIR (FR), 123, f, 3, by Territories (Ire)
1st Dam: Summer Moon (Fr) (SP-Fr), by Elusive City
2nd Dam: Kalatuna (Fr), by Green Tune
3rd Dam: Kalasinger (Fr), by Chief Singer (Ire)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€11,000 Wlg '18 ARQDEC; €55,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Le Haras de la Gousserie; B-Jan Krauze (FR); T-Cedric Rossi; J-Maxime Guyon. €285,700. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 13-4-1-3, €457,640. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Grand Glory (GB), 128, m, 5, Olympic Glory (Ire)–Madonna Lily (Ire), by Daylami (Ire). (€18,000 Ylg '17 AROCT). O-Albert Frassetto, John d'Amato & Mike Pietrangelo; B-Elevage Haras de Bourgeauville (GB); T-Gianluca Bietolini. €114,300.
3–Eudaimonia (Fr), 128, m, 6, Vision d'Etat (Fr)–Elenya (Ire), by Lawman (Fr). (€14,000 Ylg '16 BBAGS). O-Mrs Rebecca Philipps; B-Ecurie M Tschopp & Haras de Grandcamp EARL (FR); T-Edouard Monfort. €57,150.
Margins: NO, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 22.90, 6.20, 49.00.
Also Ran: Audarya (Fr), Thundering Nights (Ire), Zeyaadah (Ire), Sibila Spain (Ire), Incarville (Fr), Ambition (GB), Joan of Arc (Ire), Palmas (Ger), Burgarita (GB), Ikat (Jpn), Babylone (Fr). Scratched: Penja (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
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Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award Renamed For ‘Doc’ Richardson
In conjunction with the sixth annual Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards presented by Godolphin, this year's Community Award has been renamed the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award presented by Churchill Downs.
The announcement was made following the sixth race Saturday at Churchill Downs as the track hosted a Celebration of Life for Richardson, the distinguished Louisville surgeon who was an owner, breeder and widely-respected leader in the horse racing industry. He died Sept. 7 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., from complications due to a breakthrough COVID infection at the age of 76.
The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, which will take place Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. in the Keeneland Entertainment Center, recognize and reward the outstanding talent, diligence and commitment of the farm and racing stable staff who are at the heart of the sport.
The Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award presented by Churchill Downs recognizes those who have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the Thoroughbred industry, and in particular, to the greater good of the sport. This could include those who support the breeding and racing staff or have made an outstanding contribution to the wider Thoroughbred community.
Dr. Richardson chaired the Community Award committee and helped select this year's winner and runner-up by the first panel which met in August: Nicholas Caras of the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy and Diana Pinones of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, respectively. The winner will receive $7,500 and $2,500 to their charity of choice. The runner-up will be awarded with $2,500.
Ideal candidates for the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award should work either for or with a charitable organization, or as part of the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred business for which they work. Nominees for this award do not need to be directly employed in the Thoroughbred industry.
Qualities for nominees include
· Commitment, dedication and enthusiasm
· Propensity to work hard
· Evidence of a desire to improve and progress skills and knowledge
· Team spirit approach in the workplace
· Willingness to learn with examples of involvement in industry events and activities
Eligible candidates include, but are not limited to, those employed in Thoroughbred aftercare; backstretch programs; education related initiatives; racetrack or farm chaplaincy; etc.
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