Tag: Aurelien Lemaitre

Fontainebleau Success For Le Havre’s Ramadan

Gifted an ideal lead in Sunday's G3 Prix de Fontainebleau, Aurelien Lemaitre took full advantage to steer Nurlan Bizakov's Ramadan (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}–Raushan {Ire}, by Dalakhani {Ire}) to success in the key G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains trial. Race-fit having registered a five-length success in the Listed Prix Omnium II at Saint-Cloud last month, the Christopher Head-trained homebred who had been fourth in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud last term ticked off honest fractions on the front end before kicking in early straight.

Getting the jump on the returning TDN Rising Star Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) there, the 6-4 favourite had extra to give as that chief market rival paid late for having to accelerate harder to close. At the line, Ramadan had 3/4 of a length to spare over him, with the same margin back to the re-opposing Omnium runner-up Grey Man (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who narrowed the gap between him and the winner. The sectionals were faster at every step than the Grotte, suggesting that the winner made it a relative test by French trial standards.

“The better the ground, the better the horse, I would say,” Bizakov said. “It is emotional for me, because he is by Le Havre, who is no longer with us and I bought the mare from Lady O'Reilly, who is no longer with us. For sure he deserves to be in the Poulains and we'll go there with an open mind. He'll stay the Jockey Club distance too.”

Before taking part in the 10-furlong Criterium de Saint-Cloud, Ramadan had beaten the same owner's Narkez (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) at Chantilly in September and that Andre Fabre trainee has subsequently gained a TDN Rising Star tag and heads to Newmarket for Wednesday's nine-furlong Listed Feilden S. Bizakov was not ruling out the prospect of running both in the Poulains. “They are with different trainers, so I might end up with two horses running,” he added. “We'll see what happens on Wednesday and make a plan.”

Trainer Yann Barberot was happy with the effort of the G3 Prix la Rochette winner Beauvatier and said, “It was an excellent performance for his first time over a mile on very soft ground. The winner had the benefit of a previous run and was not for catching after leading.”

Pedigree Notes
Ramadan's dam Raushan, a 400,000gns Tatts Book 1 purchase who stayed a mile and a half, gave an instant return on that pay-out by producing as her first foal the Listed Fleur de Lys S. winner and G3 Hoppings S. runner-up Rasima (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}). Out of Lady O'Reilly's smart Chiang Mai (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), who captured the Blandford S. when it was staged as a group 3 and was runner-up in the G2 Prix Jean de Chaudenay, she is a full-sister to the triple group-winning Chinese White (Ire). Her career highlights included success in the G1 Pretty Polly S. and the Blandford in its current guise as a group 2 event, before producing the G3 Supreme S. runner-up Misty Grey (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).
The third dam is the renowned Eljazzi (Artaius), responsible for the G1 Prix de Diane heroine Rafha (GB)
(Kris {GB}) who in turn achieved notoriety as the dam of the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup hero and significant sire Invicible Spirit (Ire) and his G3 Princess Royal S.-winning half-sister Acts Of Grace (Bahri) who in turn threw Make Believe's triple top-level scorer Mishriff (Ire). Rafha's Listed Empress S.-winning daughter Massarra (GB) (Danehill) also proved herself an excellent producer with six black-type winners including Galileo's G2 Superlative S.-winning sire Gustav Klimt (Ire). Raushan's 2-year-old filly is by Showcasing (GB).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE FONTAINEBLEAU-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-14, 3yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:43.18, vs.
1–RAMADAN (FR), 128, c, 3, by Le Havre (Ire)
     1st Dam: Raushan (Ire), by Dalakhani (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Chiang Mai (Ire), by Sadler=s Wells
     3rd Dam: Eljazzi (Ire), by Artaius
1ST GROUP WIN. O-Nurlan Bizakov; B-Sumbe (FR); T-Christopher Head; J-Aurelien Lemaitre. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0, €99,975. *1/2 to Rasima (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), SW & GSP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Beauvatier (Fr), 128, c, 3, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Enchanting Skies (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire).
TDN Rising Star. (€160,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Philippe Allaire & Haras d'Etreham; B-Ecurie des Monceaux, Qatar Bloodstock Ltd & Mme Barbara M Keller (FR); T-Yann Barberot. €16,000.
3–Grey Man (Fr), 128, c, 3, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Top Toss (Ire), by Linamix (Fr). (€39,000 RNA Wlg '21 ARQDEC; €60,000 RNA Ylg '22 ARQOCT). O-Julien Dubois & Jean-Philippe Dubois; B-Ecurie Skymarc Farm; T-Patrice Cottier. €12,000.
Margins: 3/4, 3/4, SNK. Odds: 1.50, 1.70, 14.00.
Also Ran: Zabiari (GB), Metropolitan (Fr), Ten Horns (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Churchill’s Blue Rose Cen Back On Top In The Opera

Yeguada Centurion's Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}–Queen Blossom {Ire}, by Jeremy) had failed to fire in two starts after notching a Classic double in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane, but was pitch-perfect in Sunday's G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines at ParisLongchamp to secure for a fourth elite-level triumph in game fashion.

Last term's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine was supported down to favouritism in the betting market and broke on the lead from the inside stall before accepting a tow in third in this “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf next month. Slipping to fourth at halfway, the crowd's 17-10 pick made smooth progress out wide in the straight to regain control entering the final furlong and ran on strongly under a late drive to hold the rallying effort of Jackie Oh (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by a neck. Lumiere Rock (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), another who raced to the fore, finished one length adrift in third.

“This filly is incredible,” beamed trainer Christopher Head. “The season has been long and difficult for her, but she has always responded well. I am delighted to have the chance to train her and this win really means something to me. She has known combats like this and to see her shine again at this level is incredible. Aurelien Lemaitre succeeded in moving her to the outside because it can be a little treacherous on the rail. It was a beautiful ride and a beautiful race. We ran her in the [G1] Prix Vermeille in order to see her ability at the [12-furlong] distance. We now know what her limit is and we have her in a good position for us to make a plan for next year. Her last two outings did not worry me and we have seen her tested at Goodwood and over 2,400 metres. Her owner loves a challenge and we will discuss the next step, but she could be entered for the Breeders' Cup.”

Owner Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals added, “For me, this win is very special and the understanding with Christopher Head is perfect. There is lots of discussion between us and we are perpetually dissatisfied. He started as a trainer when I threw myself into it as a breeder and we have grown together.”

Reflecting on the effort of runner-up Jackie Oh, Aidan O'Brien said, “We are very happy and the filly performed really well. She will be seen next at Ascot over 12 furlongs [in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares].”

Lumiere Rock's jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle was satisfied with the run of his filly and added, “She ran well over a the 10-furlong distance, which she appreciated, but she would have perhaps preferred softer ground. She's achieved Group 1 black type and that is perfect.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Blue Rose Cen is the lone representative of G3 Park Express S. and fellow GIII Santa Barbara S. victrix Queen Blossom (Ire) (Jeremy), herself the leading performer out of the G3 Silver Flash S. third Mark Of An Angel (Ire) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}). Mark Of An Angel is a granddaughter of multiple South African winner Grey Angel (GB) (Kenmare {Fr}), whose exploits include two Grade 3 victories and running seond in the G1 Gosforth Park Fillies & Mares Challenge. The January-foaled bay hails  from the family of GI Arlington Washington Futurity hero Well Decorated (Raja Baba) and the prolific sire Distinctive (Never Bend).Queen Blossom has a weanling colt by Frankel (GB) to come.

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE L'OPERA LONGINES-G1, €500,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:03.71, g/s.
1–BLUE ROSE CEN (IRE), 123, f, 3, by Churchill (Ire)
1st Dam: Queen Blossom (Ire) (GSW-Ire & US, $220,859), by Jeremy
2nd Dam: Mark Of An Angel (Ire), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire)
3rd Dam: Dream Time (GB), by Rainbow Quest
O/B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (IRE); T-Christopher Head; J-Aurelien Lemaitre. €285,700. Lifetime Record: 12-8-1-0, €1,589,850. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Jackie Oh (Ire), 123, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Jacqueline Quest (Ire), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Triermore Stud, Mrs J Magnier & M Tabor; B-C O P Hanbury (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €114,300.
3–Lumiere Rock (Ire), 123, f, 3, Saxon Warrior (Jpn)–Last Gold (Fr), by Gold Away (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (55,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Michael O'Flynn; B-The Last Partnership (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €57,150.
Margins: NK, 1, HF. Odds: 1.70, 11.00, 8.30.
Also Ran: Al Husn (Ire), State Occasion (GB), Excellent Truth (Ire), Jannah Rose (Ire), Darkaniya (Fr), Stay Alert (GB), Muskoka (Ger), Rogue Millennium (Ire). Scratched: Crown Princesse (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Sea Silk Road Too Good For Royallieu Rivals

Sunderland Holding's G1 Yorkshire Oaks fifth and G1 Prix Vermeille third Sea Silk Road (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Oriental Magic {Ger}, by Doyen {Ire}) added to her victory in June's G3 Pinnacle S. with a decisive three-length triumph for a career high in Saturday's G1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu at ParisLongchamp.

Employing patient tactics off the tempo in rear for most of the 14-furlong stamina test, the 38-5 chance made smooth headway on the bridle in the straight to seize control entering the final furlong and powered clear of toiling rivals thereafter to easily outpoint 97-1 outsider Diva Donna (Fr) (Cima De Triomphe {Ire}) by open water. La Mehana (Fr) (Al Wukair {Ire}) was best of the remainder and finished 1 1/2 lengths adrift in third. Connections also won this contest last year with Sea La Rosa (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

“[Owner] Mrs Tsui decided to keep her in training this year and she was right to do so as the filly is having a magnificent season,” said Maureen Haggas. “Last year, she was still very immature, but she has made big strides forward this season. She has strengthened up, won a Group 3 race before being placed in a Group 1, and today she has won her Group 1. She really picked up at the finish, but has sometimes tended to prick her ears and idle once she hits the front. We're going to discuss the next step together, but I suppose she could be retired to stud. You can't improve on a Group 1 win. It's very emotional because she was bought as a yearling by John Clarke, who passed away this year. This win is dedicated to his memory and we're all very emotional.”

Julien Carayon was delighted with the performance of runner-up Diva Donna and commented, “You had to take a leap of faith and she put in a very, very good performance. Nobody wanted her when she came up for sale this summer [her owners bought her back for €55,000]. People don't look at performances, they focus too much on pedigrees. She's a very good mare and we're now going to head to the [Oct. 29 G1] Prix Royal-Oak [back here].”

Reflecting on the effort of third-place finisher La Mehana, Jean-Claude Rouget added, “We're pleased because we were backing her up again following a two week interval and my horses aren't used to that. However, La Mehana had come out of her previous race in very good order and we knew that good ground was the order of the day. Despite the soft ground in the [G2] Prix de Pomone at Deauville last time, the filly still managed to finished fifth against the same opposition. We reasoned that a place was within her compass and she proved very brave in a race in which no quarter was asked for or given. She helped set the race up by racing prominently, but she likes to run that way and dominate. She's a really good filly.”

Pedigree Notes
Sea Silk Road, who becomes the 20th Group 1 winner for her sire, is one of three winners from as many runners produced by Listed Winterkonigin-Trial and G3 Grosser Preis von Lotto Hamburg third Oriental Magic (Ger) (Doyen {Ire}). Oriental Magic is kin to G2 Gerling-Preis and G3 Deutsches St Leger victor Oriental Eagle (Ger) (Campanologist) and MGSP G2 Prix Kergorlay second Oriental Fox (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}). The March-foaled bay's stakes-winning second dam Oriental Pearl (Ger) (Big Shuffle) is kin to three black-type performers and a full-sister to the dam of MGSW G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Grosser Preis von Baden placegetter Oriental Tiger (Ger) (Tiger Hill {Ire}). Oriental Magic has the unraced 2-year-old filly Next Trick (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}) and a yearling full-sister to Sea Silk Road to come.

 

Saturday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX DE ROYALLIEU-G1, €300,000, ParisLongchamp, 9-30, 3yo/up, f/m, 14fT, 2:57.06, g/s.
1–SEA SILK ROAD (IRE), 131, f, 4, by Sea The Stars (Ire)
      1st Dam: Oriental Magic (Ger) (SW & GSP-Ger, SP-Fr), by Doyen (Ire)
      2nd Dam: Oriental Pearl (Ger), by Big Shuffle
      3rd Dam: Orange Bowl (Ire), by General Assembly
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (190,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Sunderland Holding Inc; B-Kildaragh Stud (IRE); T-William Haggas; J-Aurelien Lemaitre. €171,429. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, 12-4-2-2, €446,004. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Diva Donna (Fr), 131, m, 5, Cima De Triomphe (Ire)–Grande Synthe (Fr), by Dunkerque (Fr). GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Julien Carayon & Mme Marielle Alexandre; B-GFA Du Pont Rouge (FR); T-Julien Carayon. €68,580.
3–La Mehana (Fr), 131, f, 4, Al Wukair (Ire)–Oceanie (Fr), by Dansili (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€55,000 RNA Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Mlle Selina Fernandez-Shaw Alvarez & Noir Et Or Elevage SA; B-Noir Et Or Elevage SA (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €34,290.
Margins: 3, 1HF, SNK. Odds: 7.60, 97.00, 19.00.
Also Ran: Rue Boissonade (Fr), Mimikyu (GB), Alpenblume (GB), Shamida (Ire), Melo Melo (GB), Poptronic (GB), Ottery (GB), Thunder Roll (Ire), Baiykara (Fr), Library (Ire), Sumo Sam (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Banner Weekend For Justify As TDN Rising Star Ramatuelle Downs Robert Papin Rivals

Hot on the hooves of 'TDN Rising Star' City Of Troy notching an impressive tally in Newmarket's G2 Superlative S., Christopher Head trainee and 'TDN Rising Star' Ramatuelle embellished her sire Justify's banner weekend with a spectacular performance in Sunday's G2 Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly.

The February-foaled €100,000 Arqana August graduate went postward as a heavily favoured 2-5 chance, returning off a wide-margin triumph over the six-furlong course and distance in last month's G3 Prix du Bois, and was swiftly into stride to occupy a prominent role here. Last to come off the bridle after halfway, she cruised into an outright lead approaching the final furlong and eased clear of toiling rivals with the minimum of fuss in the closing stages to hit the line with an impressive four-length advantage from G2 Railway S. third His Majesty (Ire) (No Nay Never). The hitherto undefeated Classic Flower (GB) (Calyx {GB}) was 3/4-of-a-length further adrift in third.

Ramatuelle became US Triple Crown hero Justify's fifth 'TDN Rising Star' when powering to an Apr. 11 debut success over five furlongs at this track, but was denied by 'TDN Rising Star' and subsequent Listed Prix Roland de Chambure victor Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in a May 28 conditions test upped to six furlongs at Saint-Cloud in her penultimate outing.

“She is so good, she behaves like an older filly and is a true professional already,” Head explained in the aftermath of collecting a first win in the contest, which stemmed the flow of nine consecutive overseas winners. “She is not the most physically impressive filly, but it is the engine that matters most. I am very lucky to train her and very grateful to the partners. I don't really know if she will stay further, but that's not the point at the moment. We shall now concentrate on the [Aug. 20 G1] Prix Morny and will do our best to get her there in great shape. It is another very exciting challenge.”

NBA All-Star Tony Parker and part-owner added, “It was a great win and I'm very happy for the whole team. Her number one quality is her calmness. She's been super calm every time I have come to see her and she looks like she knows exactly what she's going to do. The coach has done a great job, we have a plan and we're sticking to it. It was her third race here and she's very comfortable on this track. Now it's on to the Prix Morny next month.”

Reflecting on the performance of third-place finisher Classic Flower, Pauline Chehboub said, “We are delighted with that run. She is a massive filly and we had to slow her down in her training due to sore shins. She needed the race and now needs further. We will see her back in action at Deauville, she is in the [G3] Prix Six Perfections and [G3 Prix du] Calvados later this month, but options might come too soon.”

 

Pedigree Notes
Ramatuelle, one of her sire's 10 pattern-race winners, is the first of three foals produced by G2 Goldene Peitsche and G3 Summer S. victrix Raven's Lady (GB) (Raven's Pass). She is a full-sister to a weanling colt and half to a yearling filly by Uncle Mo. Raven's Lady is out of an unraced half-sister to G1 Prix d'Ispahan-winning sire Best Of The Bests (Ire) (Machiavellian), G2 Dante S. third Dunhill Star (Ire) (Danehill) and the dam of MGSW G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Prince Of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}). The February-foaled chestnut's third dam, G3 Fred Darling S. winner Sueboog (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), is a half-sister to the dam of GSW G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Prix Jean Prat runner-up Shaanmer (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) and stakes-winning GI Garden City Breeders' Cup H. second Nordican Inch (GB) (Inchinor {GB}).

Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX ROBERT PAPIN-G2, €130,000, Chantilly, 7-16, 2yo, 6fT, 1:09.55, gd.
1–RAMATUELLE, 125, f, 2, by Justify
1st Dam: Raven's Lady (GB) (GSW-Eng & Ger, $238,499), by Raven's Pass
2nd Dam: Pivotal Lady (GB), by Pivotal (GB)
3rd Dam: Sueboog (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
(€100,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Infinity Nine Horses, Ecurie des Monceaux, Hollymount Stud France SC, Chun Wai Kwok, Arthur Hoyeau, Mme Ilse Smits & Clement Tropres; B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (KY); T-Christopher Head; J-Aurelien Lemaitre. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, €145,900. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–His Majesty (Ire), 128, c, 2, No Nay Never–Czabo (GB), by Sixties Icon (GB). (325,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Smith, Magnier, Tabor, Westerberg & Brant; B-Newstead Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €28,600.
3–Classic Flower (GB), 125, f, 2, Calyx (GB)–Crown Of Flowers (GB), by Garswood (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (45,000gns Wlg '21 TATFOA). O-Gousserie Racing & Jean-Etienne Dubois; B-Petches Farm Ltd (GB); T-Patrice Cottier. €13,650.
Margins: 4, 3/4, 3HF. Odds: 0.40, 4.20, 4.50.
Also Ran: Myconian (Ire), Balsam (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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