Christophe Ferland's stable had not been firing on all cylinders during the summer months, but gave notice of a return to form with Shalromy's Listed Prix Matchem victory at Saint-Cloud on Friday, and the trainer's upturn in fortunes continued after Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}–Dancequest {Ire}, by Dansili {GB}) annexed Saturday's G2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay at ParisLongchamp.
Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's homebred 3-year-old went untested as a juvenile and had run second in all three prior black-type starts, including a second to the reopposing Gallerist (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}) in August's G3 Prix de Lutece over the same 15-furlong course and distance when last seen. Positioned behind the pacesetting Kahraman (Fr) (Shamalgan {Fr}) for the most part, he eased by that rival with 500 metres remaining and kept on in resolute fashion under a drive inside the final quarter-mile to hold the closers, headed by Harbour Wind (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), by 3/4-of-a-length for a first black-type success of any kind. Shembala (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) was a short-neck away in third.
Pedigree Notes
Double Major becomes the second pattern-race winner out of Listed Prix de Liancourt third Dancequest (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), whose first was G3 Prix de Guiche victor Flop Shot (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}). She is also the dam of the stakes-placed Veritas (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), the unraced 2-year-old filly Tyra (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a yearling filly by Dubawi (Ire) and a weanling colt by Lope De Vega (Ire). Dancequest is a half-sister to G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Plumania (GB) (Anabaa) and G2 Prix de Royallieu victrix Balladeuse (Fr) (Singspiel {Ire}). The latter is the dam of G1 Prix Vermeille winner Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who produced this year's Listed Prix Melisande victrix Left Sea (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Plumania has four black-type performers to her credit headed by the G2 Prix du Muguet scorer Plumatic (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The March-foaled homebred bay's second dam Featherquest (GB) (Rainbow Quest) is kin to G1 Prix Lupin-winning sire Groom Dancer (Blushing Groom {Fr}) and hails from the family of G1 Prix Vermeille-winning champion Indian Rose (Fr) (General Holme), G1 Prix Ganay-winning sire Vert Amande (Fr) (Kenmare {Fr}) and G1 Grand de Paris hero Le Nain Jaune (Fr) (Pharly {Fr}).
Saturday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX CHAUDENAY-G2, €200,000, ParisLongchamp, 9-30, 3yo, 15fT, 3:16.45, g/s.
1–DOUBLE MAJOR (IRE), 128, g, 3, by Daiwa Major (Jpn)
1st Dam: Dancequest (Ire) (SP-Fr), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Featherquest (GB), by Rainbow Quest
3rd Dam: Featherhill (Fr), by Lyphard
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Christophe Ferland; J-Maxime Guyon. €114,000. Lifetime Record: 8-3-4-0, €185,700. *1/2 to Flop Shot (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), GSW-Fr, $264,611; and Veritas (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), SP-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Harbour Wind (Ire), 128, g, 3, Nathaniel (Ire)–Topaz Clear (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Moyglare Stud Farm (IRE); T-Dermot Weld. €44,000.
3–Shembala (Ire), 122, f, 3, Cracksman (GB)–Shebella (Ire), by Dubai Destination. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (IRE); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €21,000.
Margins: 3/4, SNK, 2. Odds: 6.10, 1.90, 6.60.
Also Ran: Sevenna's Knight (Ire), Gallerist (Fr), Rubis Vendome (GB), Wida (Fr), Kahraman (Fr), Dschingis Star (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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