Tag: Deauville

Deauville: All Eyes on Ace Impact in the Guillaume D’Ornano

Some water has passed under the bridge since we last had the privilege of seeing Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}), but all that has really happened has been the strengthening of his aura and it is with great anticipation that Deauville welcomes him back from his mini-break in Tuesday's G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano. While the clock suggested at the time that Gousserie Racing and Ecuries Serge Stempniak's representative had produced something special in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club, subsequent events have proven that his performance in that 10 1/2-furlong Chantilly Classic was the real mccoy.

Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), who got closest to him at a respectable 3 1/2-length deficit, beat all bar Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) on Sunday, the fourth home Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}) produced a display out of the top drawer himself in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris and the fifth Epictetus (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) managed to overturn Nostrum (GB) (Kingman {GB}) at Goodwood, so the Jockey Club form looks at least the equal of the Derby and even possibly better at this stage.

Jean-Claude Rouget is charting a path to the Arc, with the potential of a trip to Leopardstown, and Gousserie's Pauline Chehboub is hoping the dream continues. “Ace Impact is in good form and should run well tomorrow,” she said. “We are targeting some exciting group ones in the autumn, so tomorrow's race is important.”

Joseph and Aidan O'Brien provide a trio of opponents headed by Ballydoyle's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), who met with a setback in the spring and missed the Classics as a result. While he will probably need the outing, it is worth remembering that he beat Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) in the Listed Criterium du FEE at this track 12 months ago and this could be the start of a big autumn for him too. Joseph saddles Jassim Bin Ali Al Attiyah's G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. winner Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who is even more lightly-raced at this stage of his career while if Gestut Karlshof's Straight (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}) is the one who dismissed Mr Hollywood (Ire) (Iquitos {Ger}) in the 11-furlong G2 Union-Rennen at Cologne in June and not the one who subsequently flopped in the G1 Deutsches Derby he is interesting in this.

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Observations: TDN Rising Star Alcantor Back for Deauville Test

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Insights features TDN Rising Star Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}) in a Deauville Conditions test.

14.33 Deauville, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, c/g, 7 1/2fT
Baron Edouard de Rothschild's ALCANTOR (FR) (New Bay {GB}), a half-brother to G2 Union-Rennen winner Boscaccio (Ger) (Mount Nelson {GB}), looked a class act when elevated to 'TDN Rising Star' status going seven furlongs at Saint-Cloud in June, but lacked a finishing kick behind subsequent G3 Prix de Cabourg third Havana Cigar (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) over six at Chantilly in early July. The March-foaled bay, who hails from the family of dual G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}), was withdrawn from a one-mile contest at Clairefontaine earlier in the month and sidesteps Thursday's Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage at this venue. He faces a stiff task in his quest for redemption and is the only one of six contenders to have not won last time out.

15.00 Nottingham, Mdn, £6,850, 2yo, f, 6f 18yT
Godolphin homebred CRYSTAL OF TIME (IRE) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is out of the stakes-winning Important Time (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and thus a half-sister to, and Charlie Appleby stablemate of, last term's GI Saratoga Derby Invitational hero and recent G1 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen victor Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Her four rivals include George Boughey trainee Rose Branch (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who is out of a full-sister to G1 Oaks heroine Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}).

15.10 Dundalk, Mdn, €15,000, 2yo, 8f (AWT)
Aidan O'Brien trainee CAPULET (Justify) is a son of G2 Kilboy Estate S. victrix and G1 Nassau S. runner-up Wedding Vow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), herself a full-sister to G1 Derby hero Serpentine (Ire). He opens up in a contest won last year by the stable with subsequent G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud third and G1 Irish Derby and G1 Grand Prix de Paris second Adelaide River (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Opposition includes the twice-raced Huxley (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a half-brother to G1 Prix Ganay-winning sire Cloth Of Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who ran fourth behind the 'TDN Rising Star' display of subsequent G2 Superlative S. winner City Of Troy (Justify) at the Curragh last month.

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Frankie Makes It Eight In The Jacques le Marois On Frankel’s Inspiral

It had to happen and thankfully it did. Frankie's final ride at Deauville was one for the memory store on Sunday, as one of the world's finest of all time engineered a super-smooth eighth victory in the G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois out of Cheveley Park Stud's Rolls Royce Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}–Starscope {GB}, by Selkirk). Showing why he is and has been so prominent in his trade for so long, the Italian judged the pace set by Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) to a tee as he anchored the Gosdens' 4-year-old in rear early.

Only delivered when it was necessary and not a second before, Inspiral was able to cruise to that G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up passing the furlong pole and was soon beyond recall for her own second edition. Surprisingly an 8-1 shot, perhaps because of doubts about her performance at a rain-soaked Goodwood and about the 11-day turnaround from the G1 Sussex S., she was in a class of her own here en route to a comfortable 1 1/4-length verdict over Yeguada Centurion's 2-1 favourite as last year's runner-up Light Infantry (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) again made the frame the same margin away in third.

This was also a remarkable fourth consecutive win for the Clarehaven-Dettori axis, with Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) having also brought up consecutive successes in 2020 and 2021. “She's a fantastic filly and this is my last race at Deauville, so to finish with a win like this is incredible,” the rider said. “I was very easy on her at Goodwood, as this was always the target and she showed what a true champion she is. I've won every race here and 19 group ones, so I have great memories–some wonderful days and wonderful nights!”

 

Even before she showed a distaste for the mud at Goodwood, Inspiral had failed to spark in Ascot's G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on similar ground with only a narrow defeat to Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot in between offering hope that she retained the kind of ability that had seen her dazzle in the G1 Coronation S. at the previous Royal meeting. This was categoric proof that she not only retained that level of proficiency, but can also be seen as a career-best as she left some of this year's mile Classic protagonists trailing as well as the impressive G1 Prix Jean Prat hero Good Guess (GB) (Kodiac {GB}).

While Big Rock was able to tick off regular sectionals of around 11.5 seconds until two out, the extra fuel that Frankie had saved throughout the first three furlongs served him well as the Head colt began to feel the pinch. Swallowing up his advantage with splits of 11.34, 11.08 and 11.36 between the four and the one, she was able to coast to the line with the high-class 3-year-old having used up all his speed. “She needs a good pace and not soft ground, and on her conditions she got to work today. When she's good, she's very good and this is the stuff of dreams,” Dettori added.

Gosden Sr is looking at the Breeders' Cup Mile for the winner and said, “To win this great race twice with Palace Pier, twice with this filly and of course with Kingman is a great honour and very special. I like it because it's run on a straight, flat and fair track and usually there are no hard-luck stories. Inspiral can be brilliant on her day and was pretty fresh–she's only run twice this year–and came here in top order.”

“She can grab the bridle and the pace was all on the far side, which worried us as she was drawn one but she's been given a great ride as she's ended up in stall 12 effectively and come around the long way in the end. She got left at Ascot and can play about when that happens. When Frankie took her to the front he looked after her and maybe we will take her to Santa Anita, even though it is a tight track for her.”

Christopher Head said of Big Rock, “He has run a very good race and been beaten by a better horse. There are no excuses and he ran big. There is no disgrace being beaten by this top filly and we'll stick to the plan and head to the [G1] Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.”

Pedigree Notes

Starscope, who was runner-up in the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S., had produced just the listed-placed middle-distance performer Celestran (GB) (Dansili {GB}) prior to Inspiral but has now delivered Cheveley Park with another illustrious runner in the red, white and blue. She is a daughter of Moon Goddess (GB) (Rainbow Quest), also the dam of the Listed Rosemary S. winner Solar Magic (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) but more importantly a half-sister to the operation's G1 Eclipse S. and G1 Juddmonte International-winning sire Medicean (GB). Also connected to the G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. winner Mondreise (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) and the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero and leading sire Caro (Ire), her 2-year-old colt by Siyouni (Fr) is named Megastar (GB), while she has a yearling son of Ulysses (Ire) and a 2023 full-sister to Inspiral to follow.

Sunday, Deauville, France
PRIX DU HARAS DE FRESNAY-LE-BUFFARD JACQUES LE MAROIS-G1, €1,000,000, Deauville, 8-13, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:36.62, g/s.
1–INSPIRAL (GB), 128, f, 4, by Frankel (GB)
      1st Dam: Starscope (GB) (MG1SP-Eng, $251,626), by Selkirk
      2nd Dam: Moon Goddess (GB), by Rainbow Quest
      3rd Dam: Mystic Goddess, by Storm Bird
O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Frankie Dettori. €571,400. Lifetime Record: Champion 2yo Filly-Eur, MG1SW-Eng, 10-6-2-0, €2,193,120. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Big Rock (Fr), 125, c, 3, Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire)–Hardiyna (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). O/B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (FR); T-Christopher Head. €228,600.
3–Light Infantry (Fr), 131, c, 4, Fast Company (Ire)–Lights On Me (GB), by Kyllachy (GB). (€25,000 Ylg '20 ARQDOY; £82,000 2yo '21 GOFTY). O-Never Say Die & Light Infantry Partnership; B-Barbara Moser (FR); T-David Simcock. €114,300.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 7.80, 2.10, 9.00.
Also Ran: Onesto (Ire), Triple Time (Ire), Erevann (Fr), Good Guess (GB), Angers (Fr), Hi Royal (Ire), Life In Motion (Ire), Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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The Curragh: “Hopefully We Can Get Revenge.” Unquestionable Set For Phoenix Rematch

The Curragh stages Europe's first Group 1 contest for the current crop of 2-year-olds on Saturday and it is fair to say that a Keeneland Phoenix S. without the anticipated presence of River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is up for grabs. While Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore contingent opted to send the G2 Coventry S.-winning 'TDN Rising Star' to Deauville for the Prix Morny, the way is clear for another 'TDN Rising Star' son of that sire to step into his place. Unquestionable (Fr) has the obstacle of yet another Wootton Bassett colt in Bucanero Fuerte (GB) to overcome and he couldn't quite manage that in the course-and-distance G2 Railway S. last month, but this is the Phoenix and O'Brien that we are talking about.

Ballydoyle's commander-in-chief has almost made this race his private property since 1998, with a sequence of 17 winners. Remarkably, the gap between Sioux Nation in 2017 and Little Big Bear (Ire) last term was the only time in that period that he had gone more than a year without collecting and the Railway has always been a race to sharpen his prospective Phoenix colt. Ryan Moore has enjoyed even more success than usual on the stable's big guns in Ireland in 2023 and he said on his betfair blog, “This lacks a stand-out. Only a short-head separated Bucanero Fuerte and Unquestionable in the Railway and hopefully we can get revenge after our colt had to miss Goodwood because of the worsening ground.”

Other than Bucanero Fuerte, Royal Ascot's Coventry also featured Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) who was just 3/4 of a length behind having been sent for home some way out. Bronsan Racing and Theresa Marnane's G3 Marble Hill S. winner has been given a freshener since then and trainer Jessica Harrington issued a positive update on the £1.1-million Goffs London sensation. “Hopefully he'll run a good race and we don't get too much rain between now and then so we have a bit of nice ground on the day. He's won on soft, but I'd prefer better ground as he's a good-moving horse,” she said.

No filly has won this since La Collina (Ire) (Strategic Prince {GB}) in 2011, but the unbeaten Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) had some smart fillies behind when capturing the G3 Albany S. for the Fowler-Medallion Racing-Weston-Reeves collective and there is no definitive marker as to how the two sexes stand up. “She was in control the whole way in the Albany and did everything you'd like, so you'd have to respect the form and she seems quite versatile,” jockey Oisin Murphy said.

 

Sweet Solera Up For Grabs

While Ascot stages its longstanding Shergar Cup with its alternative appeal, Newmarket quietly gets on with the business of helping to sort the 2-year-old pecking order. Like the Phoenix, the G3 Molson Coors Sweet Solera S. also lacks a standout candidate but Godolphin's four-length course-and-distance winner Wild Goddess (GB) (Camelot {GB}) fits the bill with her connections and pedigree as she tackles the Listed Star S. second and third Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). The latter is back on more suitable ground, having been third behind Porta Fortuna in the Albany and we'll know more what that form means by late afternoon on Saturday.

At Haydock, there is an intriguing blend of youth and old talent in the 10-furlong G3 Rose Of Lancaster S. with the impressive Listed Lyric Fillies' S. winner Midnight Mile (Ire) (No Nay Never) taking on Shadwell's unpredictable Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) with weight-for-age on her side.

 

Inspiral Confirmed For Marois Defence

   John and Thady Gosden have given the green light for Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) to attempt back-to-back successes in Sunday's G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville following her last-of-five effort in the G1 Sussex S. She will encounter her G1 Queen Anne S. conqueror Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and also Yeguada Centurion SL's G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), as well as the G1 Prix Jean Prat-winning course specialist Good Guess (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) in a competitive 11-runner affair.

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