Tag: Francis-Henri Graffard

Frankel’s Candala Burns Bright At ParisLongchamp

It is 16 years since The Aga Khan enjoyed the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches-G1 Prix de Diane double with Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) and there was a genuine sense at ParisLongchamp on Sunday that he has a live prospect for a repeat. While the afternoon's G3 Prix de la Grotte winner Candala (Fr) (Frankel {GB}–Candarliya {Fr}, by Dalakhani {Ire}) can not yet be placed in the same bracket as that former luminary, the manner of her re-entry suggests that she is going to be one of the season's leading lights among her sex. Anchored with only the slow-starting G1 Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Rose Bloom (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) behind early by Mickael Barzalona, the 29-10 favourite who was last seen winning a Chantilly conditions event in September by four lengths delivered a telling surge in the straight to overhaul the 13-1 shot Minoushka (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) close home for a short-neck success, with the G3 Prix des Reservoirs winner Tulipa Chope (Fr) (Born To Sea {Ire}) a length away in third.

“I was impatient to see her back at the races, but equally I was not in too much of a hurry as the ground has been very bad so far and also it took her some time to come in her coat and blossom,” explained trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, who had earlier saddled the owner-breeder's Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) to success in the G3 Prix Noailles. “So a nice day like today with drier ground was ideal for a seasonal debut and it was the plan to use waiting tactics, as I know she can quicken. She had run well here first time out last year, won well on her second start and had always showed us good things. I'd imagine the Poule d'Essai will be next. She has every right to be at the start and it will be a test, but we also think that she'll stay further.”

According to France Galop, the winner's finishing splits were 11.94, 10.98 and 11.41 confirming that she has the acceleration to win the course-and-distance mile Classic in four weeks' time, which is notable considering her stamina-packed pedigree that points to her being much more of a Diane or Oaks filly. The early animator Cetera (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who was in front of Candala when they were second and third behind the unbeaten TDN Rising Star Bauhinia (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) on their debuts over this track and trip in August and who had been subsequently beaten four lengths by the Aga Khan homebred at Chantilly, set only moderate fractions. She was much slower than the Fontainebleau winner Ramadan (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) throughout, making it all the more meritorious that Candala was able to shut down that gap and hit the line hard.

Pedigree Notes
Candala, who becomes the 95th group winner for her illustrious sire, is the fourth foal out of the smart Candarliya whose expoits included successes in the Prix de Royallieu when it held group 2 status, the G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil and the G3 Prix Minerve as well as a runner-up placing in the G1 Prix Vermeille. Tried as a stayer later in her career, she had the stamina to be placed in the G2 Prix Kergorlay twice and the G3 Prix de Barbeville and has produced the listed-placed Carini (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) who stayed a mile and a half despite being by his fast sire.

Candarliya is a full-sister to the listed scorer Canndera (Fr) and a half to the Laurel Turf Cup, Cape Henlopen S. and Listed Prix la Moskowa winner Canessar (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) who was also runner-up in the GII Belmont Gold Cup Invitational. The third dam Caribbeandriftwood (Woodman) is connected to the G2 Sandown Mile S. winner and G1 Prix d'Ispahan runner-up Wixim (Diesis {GB}).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE LA GROTTE-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-14, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:44.21, vs.
1–CANDALA (FR), 126, f, 3, by Frankel (GB)
     1st Dam: Candarliya (Fr) (MGSW & G1SP-Fr, $534,189), by Dalakhani (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Candara (Fr), by Barathea (Ire)
     3rd Dam: Caribbeandriftwood, by Woodman
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-H H Aga Khan; B-Haras De S A Aga Khan SCEA (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Mickael Barzalona. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, €62,000. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Minoushka (GB), 126, f, 3, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Mouille Point (GB), by Motivator (GB).
1ST BLACK-TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE. (€170,000 Ylg '22 ARQOCT). O-Ecurie des Charmes & Kin Hung Kei; B-Le Thenney & Pearl Champs Elysees (GB); T-Carlos & Yann Lerner. €16,000.
3–Tulipa Chope (Fr), 126, f, 3, Born To Sea (Ire)–Tulipe Rouge (Fr), by Panis. (€5,000 Ylg '22 OSASEP). O-Alain Jathiere; B-Alain Chopard & Cedric Boutin (FR); T-Stephane Wattel. €12,000.
Margins: SNK, 1, NO. Odds: 2.90, 13.00, 3.50.
Also Ran: Cetera (Ire), Sparkling Plenty (Fr), Julica (Fr), Rose Bloom (Ire), Monteille (GB), Nevercry (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Calandagan Outpoints Noailles Rivals in Paris

Francis-Henri Graffard trainee Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}–Calayana {Fr}, by Sinndar {Ire}) finished 3-4-of-a-length behind Bright Picture (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) in Saint-Cloud's Listed Prix Francois Mathet last month and exacted revenge on that rival in Sunday's G3 Prix Noailles at ParisLongchamp.

The Aga Khan's homebred gelding was out twice as a 2-year-old, following up an Aug. 12 debut third at Deauville with a facile 10-length tally at Chantilly in October. Calandagan tucked in at the tail of the field after breaking from the outside stall and was urged closer once into the home straight. Making headway to launch his challenge with 300 metres remaining, the 13-5 second favourite gained an edge soon after and found extra under continued rousting inside the final furlong to defeat Bright Picture by an ultimately comfortable 1 3/4 lengths. Francois Mathet third Trafalgar Square (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) made it a gelding trifecta and ran on well in the closing stages to finish 1 1/2 lengths adrift in third.

“He had come on a lot from his first run this year and I was expecting a good performance,” revealed Graffard. “It was the plan to ride him [from behind] like that, as he can be keen, but he also has a strong acceleration. I like how he behaved when he was challenged by the favourite [Bright Picture], he dug in and found more. I have no idea what will be next. He is a gelding so Classics are not for him, but he is a Group winner now and that is a good point.”

Pedigree Notes
Calandagan, who becomes the 23rd pattern-race scorer for his sire (by Galileo {Ire}), is the second foal and leading performer from two winners produced by G3 Prix Minerve second Calayana (Fr) (Sinndar {Ire}), herself a granddaughter of Listed Prix Isola Bella second Clodovina (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}). Clodovina, in turn, is the dam of GI Belmont Derby Invitational runner-up Canndal (Fr) (Medicean {GB}). She is also kin to G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning sire Clodovil (Ire) (Danehill), GSW GI Arlington Million third Colombian (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) and to the dam of G1 SA Derby hero Aragosta (SAf) (Rafeef {Aus}). The January-foaled homebred bay is half to a 2-year-old filly by New Bay (GB) and a yearling filly by Zarak (Fr).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX NOAILLES-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-14, 3yo, 10 1/2fT, 2:13.56, vsf.
1–CALANDAGAN (IRE), 128, g, 3, by Gleneagles (Ire)
1st Dam: Calayana (Fr) (GSP-Fr), by Sinndar (Ire)
2nd Dam: Clariyn (Fr), by Acclamation (GB)
3rd Dam: Clodovina (Ire), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (IRE); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Stephane Pasquier. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-1, €70,500. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Bright Picture (Fr), 128, g, 3, Intello (Ger)–Lucy The Painter (Ire), by Excellent Art (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€72,000 Ylg '22 ARQOCT). O-Wertheimer & Frere; B-J P Carrington (FR); T-Andre Fabre. €16,000.
3–Trafalgar Square (Fr), 128, g, 3, Kendargent (Fr)–See You Always (GB), by Siyouni (Fr). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€80,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Ecurie Hugo et Pierre Pilarski & Gousserie Racing; B-Ecurie X (FR); T-Patrice Cottier. €12,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, 1HF, 2. Odds: 2.60, 1.30, 16.00.
Also Ran: Casapueblo (Ire), Sibayan (Fr), Black Run (Fr), Golden West (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Verry Elleegant Dies From Foaling Complications

The 2021 Australasian Horse of the Year Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) has passed away due to foaling complications, announced Chris Waller via X on Sunday evening.

The 11-time Group 1 winner tallied the 2021 G1 Melbourne Cup to a venerable career and had been sent to France to race for conditioner Francis-Henri Graffard. After four winless outings in the Northern Hemisphere in 2022, including appearances in the G1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet, G1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu, and her final jump in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S., the four-time champion had been retired and bred to Sea The Stars (Ire).

“It is incredibly sad that we pass on the news on behalf of the ownership group that Verry Elleegant has passed away due to complications giving birth to her foal,” said Waller.

“The news is just filtering through to stable staff now and other close connections who are coming to terms with the tragic news. She was in fantastic hands on a farm who did all they could for her, and we would like to thank them for their efforts which we will be forever grateful for.”

The post Verry Elleegant Dies From Foaling Complications appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Frankel’s Darkaniya Prevails In Baden-Baden Feature

Francis-Henri Graffard trainee Darkaniya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}–Daryakana {Fr}, by Selkirk), who ran fifth in last month's G1 Prix Jean-Romanet, added to a first black-type win in July's Listed Prix de la Pepiniere and doubled a her stakes tally with victory in Saturday's G2 T von Zastrow Stutenpreis at Baden-Baden.

The 9-5 favourite lobbed along in seventh passing the judge first time and bounded forward to stalk the leaders in fourth along the backstraight. Inching into second rounding the home turn, she was shaken to to seize control appoaching the final furlong and stayed on strongly under a late drive to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths from Kolossal (Ger) (Outstrip {GB}). Sophomore filly North Reliance (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}) fared best of the remainder and finished a half-length back in third.

“I allowed her time to find her feet at first,” explained winning rider Bauyrzhan Murzabayev after notching a first pattern-race win in Germany for His Highness The Aga Khan since Kartajana (Ire) (Shernazar {Ire}) annexed 1991's G1 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen at Munich. “There was absolutely no pace, but that did not really matter as she does not tend to pull. I sent her forward in the final turn and soon realized that Kolossal was my main opponent. She fought gamely and ran on well although I might have hit the front a little too soon.”

Pedigree Notes

Darkaniya is the seventh of 10 foals and one of five winners from as many runners produced by G1 Hong Kong Vase victrix and G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud third Daryakana (Fr) (Selkirk). The February-foaled homebred, whose dam is a daughter of G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Daryaba (Ire) (Night Shift), is a half-sister to G1 Prix Ganay-winning sire Dariyan (Fr) (Shamardal) and GII Knickerbocker S. and GIII Monmouth S. winner Devamani (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}). She is also kin to stakes-winning G3 Prix Fille de l'Air third Dariyza (Fr) (Dawn Approach {Ire}), Listed Grand Prix de Clairefontaine victor Darabad (Fr) (Dansili {GB}), the unraced 2-year-old filly Darylakha (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Sea The Stars (Ire).

Saturday, Baden-Baden, Germany
T VON ZASTROW STUTENPREIS-G2, €70,000, Baden-Baden, 9-2, 3yo/up, f/m, 12fT, 2:37.86, gd.
1–DARKANIYA (FR), 131, f, 4, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Daryakana (Fr) (G1SW-HK, GSW & G1SP-Fr, $1,372,923), by Selkirk
2nd Dam: Daryaba (Ire), by Night Shift
3rd Dam: Darata (Ire), by Vayrann (Ire)
1ST GROUP WIN. O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Bauyrzhan Murzabayev. €40,000. Lifetime Record: SW-Fr, 10-4-0-1, €116,430. *1/2 to Dariyan (Fr) (Shamardal), G1SW-Fr, G1SP-HK & GSP-UAE, $872,592; Devamani (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), MGSW-US, $560,208; Dariyza (Fr) (Dawn Approach {Ire}), SW & GSP-Fr; and Darabad (Fr) (Dansili {GB}), SW-Fr, $145,558. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Kolossal (Ger), 131, m, 5, Outstrip (GB)–Kolosseum (Ger), by Samum (Ger). (€22,000 Ylg '19 BBAGS). O-Stall Blue Diamond; B-Gestut Karlshof (GER); T-Carmen Bocskai. €15,500.
3–North Reliance (Ger), 123, f, 3, Reliable Man (GB)–North Queen (Ire), by Desert King (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Michael Wachowitz; B-Gestut Wittekindshof (GER); T-Marcel Weiss. €8,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, HF, NK. Odds: 1.80, 4.90, 28.80.
Also Ran: Drawn To Dream (Ire), Weracruz (Ger), Princess Zelda (Ger), Mythicara (Ire), Ultima (Ger), View Zabeel (Ire).

 

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