There are many different routes to a championship race meeting, even sometimes via what originally appeared to be an unpromising avenue.
“It's really the story of a mare I shouldn't have bought, a yearling I couldn't sell and a claimer that no one wanted to claim,” says Jocelyn Targett, owner-breeder of The Saudi Derby runner Jacinda.
Based in Britain, Targett races most of his horses in France and is the creative force behind the marketing for the Darley stallions. It is a connection to that role which first brought Jacinda's dam Beraymi to his attention.
He recalls: “I bought her dam from Darley and she was stakes-placed for Andre Fabre. She's by Manduro out of an interesting mare who is one of the 20-odd daughters of Dubai Millennium and out of Cape Verdi, one of the greats. If you're a breeding boffin like me, you look back into the deep family and she is actually descended from Kincsem, through an indirect female line.”
Beraymi had plenty to recommend her on paper, but was physically more challenging. However, her offset knees didn't stop her winning twice, including the first time she raced for Targett and Marseille-based trainer Jerome Reynier. Retired to stud, she visited Aclaim in what would transpire to be her sole season.
“Out popped an absolute carbon copy of her mum, though not as dark in color,” Targett continues.
Unfortunately the inherited traits included less-than-perfect knees.
“None of the sales companies wanted to take the filly and then her dam died a few months after foaling Jacinda from a horrible colic, so there was an extra emotional attachment as she was the only foal,” he adds.
Jacinda followed her dam to Reynier's stable, starting out by finishing midfield in a Marseille maiden followed by back-to-back victories in claimers without being claimed.
“Then we sent her to Italy for a Listed race. This was all during the Covid years and I hadn't even seen the filly since she had left Britain. Jerome's jockey Antonio Orani had ridden in the Palio, so he knew his way round a tight little Italian track like Varese and she ended up finishing second.”
More black type was earned in Listed company in France before Jacinda returned to Italy for the Group 2 Premio Dormello, again finishing second.
“I was on my way back from a wedding in Paris, so we pulled over on the Peripherique [ring road] to watch it on the phone. She hit the front a bit too early and was well beaten by the winner but had her excuses and we thought she should have a crack at something else.”
A trip to Riyadh was of particular appeal to Targett, who was the creative director of the original launch of The Saudi Cup.
“It is an absolute joy to be back here and see what a fabulous transformation they have wrought on an already magical place,” he says.
“When the entries were due in early January and I suggested it to Jerome, he sent me a photo of his horsemen's booklet. He had written 'Jacinda' next to the Saudi Derby. I think we have both started to wonder if we are slightly nuts as, looking at the race now, there are some big strong colts that we are up against but she has a very good temperament. It's what you can't see that makes her a racehorse.”
He adds: “Racing is about so much more than winning. I've been in it long enough to know that winning is a rarity. You can make all sorts of plans when you're arranging matings, but as a breeder you get what you're given. And I'm a big believer in keeping the faith pretty much come what may. It can be a long and costly road to travel but hugely rewarding when it comes off.”
The post ‘It’s What You Can’t See That Makes Her A Racehorse’: Filly Jacinda Takes On Colts In Saudi Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
