The 3-5 favourite American Flag had no excuses in fifth in a renewal cut to nine after KHK Racing's TDN Rising Star Knight (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) was a withdrawal at the start. “We were hoping to finish in the first five, so to win is unbelievable,” Schutz said. “I was also hoping for more rain. He had worked well in the company of my other horses, but I don't necessarily have much to go on. I have been in France for seven years now and I hope that this victory will mark a new turning point in my career. I need to speak to the jockey and the owner, but he's in the [G1 Prix du] Jockey Club and that looks like the most logical target.”

Confined to maiden and conditions events prior to the Fontainebleau, Marhaba Ya Sanafi made his debut over nine furlongs here in October and followed a fourth there with a win at a mile on Chantilly's Polytrack the following month. Back with another win over that same course, distance and surface when nosing out the Fabrice Chappet-trained Bless (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}) in March, the bay didn't appear to have any excuses as American Flag rushed by late in his first black-type test and was understandably overlooked. Finding improvement as the Fontainebleau winner possibly under-performed, his inherent stamina was telling late on as Isaac Shelby stepped beyond seven furlongs for the first time.

Brian Meehan said of the runner-up, “We were a bit frustrated by the lack of pace, especially in the first part of the race. He hasn't shown the full extent of his talent yet. The best is yet to come, especially in races where there will be more pace. We are thinking of Royal Ascot, and in particular the St James's Palace Stakes.” Alessandro Botti is also bound for the Royal meeting with Breizh Sky. “My horse ran on well, but I think the draw maybe cost us a better placing,” he said. “I don't think he will stay further and the [G3] Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot will be next.”

A 33/1 shock in the French 2000 Guineas!

Marhaba Ya Sanafi edges out Isaac Shelby to take the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains at @paris_longchamp for @mickaelbarzalon and Andreas Schutz… pic.twitter.com/Ui1AmQl9LP

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 14, 2023

Pedigree Notes
Marhaba Ya Sanafi becomes the second top-level and 10th group winner for his sire, whose progeny show a marked preference for this type of testing ground. The unraced dam, who is also responsible for a 2-year-old filly by Acclamation (GB), was a 58,000gns purchase by Rabbah Bloodstock at the 2016 Tatts December Sale but has already been re-sold as Duncan McGregor presciently snapped up a bargain at €16,000 at the most recent edition of Goffs November. Danega hails from a distinguished Jim Bolger family which features the aforementioned G1 Irish Derby hero Soldier Of Fortune and the G1 Gran Criterium winner and Irish Derby runner-up and successful jumps sire Sholokhov (Ire) (Sadler's Wells).

The second dam is the G3 Noblesse S. winner and G2 Lancashire Oaks runner-up Danelissima (Ire) (Danehill), who produced the G3 Ballysax S. runner-up Fergus McIver (Ire) by Sadler's Wells and is a full-sister to the G3 Railway S.-placed Daneleta (Ire). She is in turn responsible for Bolger's G1 Dewhurst S.-winning sire Intense Focus (Giant's Causeway) and is the ancestress of the G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy) and last year's G3 Flame of Tara S. scorer Aspen Grove (Ire) (Justify) and Listed Washington Singer S. winner Victory Dance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
EMIRATES POULE D'ESSAI DES POULAINS-G1, €650,000, ParisLongchamp, 5-14, 3yo, c, 8fT, 1:38.56, vsf.
1–MARHABA YA SANAFI (IRE), 128, c, 3, by Muhaarar (GB)
1st Dam: Danega (GB), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Danelissima (Ire), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Zavaleta (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Jaber Abdullah; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Andreas Schutz; J-Mickael Barzalona. €371,410. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, €417,610. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Isaac Shelby (GB), 128, c, 3, Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Kentucky Belle (Ire), by Heliostatic (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (£92,000 Ylg '21 GOFFUK). O-Wathnan Racing; B-Elaine Chivers (GB); T-Brian Meehan. €148,590.
3–Breizh Sky (Fr), 128, c, 3, Pedro The Great–Anna Danse (Fr), by Anabaa. (€14,000 RNA Ylg '21 ARAUG). O-Alain Jathiere, Louis Baudron, Alessandro Botti, Giuseppe Botti & Ecurie Elag; B-Haras des Evees, Daniel Cherdo & Mme Claudie Cherdo (FR); T-Alessandro & Giuseppe Botti. €74,295.
Margins: SNK, 2, HD. Odds: 26.20, 4.40, 27.00.
Also Ran: Valimi (Fr), American Flag (Fr), Good Guess (GB), Kubrick (Ire), Hans Andersen (GB), Kendly (Fr). Scratched: Knight (Ire). Video, sponsored by TVG.

The post Poulains Glory For Muhaarar’s Marhaba Ya Sanafi appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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This colts' Classic appears to be Isaac Shelby (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire})'s to lose, after his G3 Greenham S. romp at Newbury. The Wathnan Racing runner is set to lock horns with the Coolmore partners' G3 2000 Guineas Trial S. winner Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}) among others, and, with only 10 runners, the draw is of minimal concern in Paris.

BREIZH SKY (FR), Pedro The Great–Anna Danse (Fr) (Anabaa)
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner: Alain Jathiere, Louis Baudron Et Al
Breeder: Haras des Evees, D & Mme C Cherdo
Trainer: Alessandro & Giuseppe Botti
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Placed at Group 1 level at two, he is the best of four winners for his dam. From the family of G1 German Oaks winner Toskana Belle (Fr) (Shamalgan {Fr}), this listed scorer could emerge with a piece of the spoils.

Nice prospect! Breizh Sky under Christophe Soumillon takes the Prix Roland de Chambure and makes it two from two for Alessandro & Giuseppe Botti @fgdeauville pic.twitter.com/gtESeCNR1N

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 10, 2022

MARHABA YA SANAFI (IRE), Muhaarar (GB)–Danega (GB) (Galileo {Ire})
Owner: Jaber Abdullah
Breeder: Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd.
Trainer: Andreas Schutz
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Second dam Danelissima (Ire) (Danehill) won the G3 Noblesse S., and this colt's extended family features Group 1 winners Intense Focus (Giant's Causeway) and Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy). Led early in the G3 Prix de Fontainbleau, but this March foal faces an uphill battle.

VALIMI (FR), Teofilo (Ire)–Valdaya (Fr) (Acclamation {GB})
Owner: His Highness The Aga Khan
Breeder: Haras de S A Aga Khan SCEA
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Produced by a half-sister to G1 Prix de Diane winner Valyra (GB) (Azamour {Ire}), Valimi has yet to be worse than second in three starts. However, this colts' Classic is his first try in black-type company.

VALIMI makes most of the running winning on debut at Deauville.

Teofilo 2yo, dam a 1/2 to Prix de Diane winner Valyra & Gr2 Valirann

Teofilo 100% with Acclamation mares incl Gr2 Masaat @AgaKhanStuds @CPacaut @DarleyStallions pic.twitter.com/5Nju1kG2SS

— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) October 20, 2022

KENDLY (FR), Kendargent (Fr)–Kindly Dismiss (Fr) (Excellent Art {GB})
Owner: Gerard Augustin-Normand & Stephen Lahmi
Breeder: Guy Pariente Holding
Trainer: Philippe Sogorb
Sales History: €38,000 Arqana October yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: This stakes-winning brother to stakes winner Surrey Mist (Fr) is related to GI Garden City S. heroine Alterite (Fr) (Literato {Ire}). Second to budding favourite American Flag (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) previously, he needs to step forward again here.

KNIGHT (IRE), Mehmas (Ire)–Fidaaha (Ire) (New Approach {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner: KHK Racing Ltd.
Breeder: Tally-Ho Stud
Trainers: Simon & Ed Crisford
Sales History: 210,000gns Tattersall October Book 1 yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The G3 Horris Hill S. winner is a brother to the classy Malavath (Ire), and their dam is a half-sister to multiple group winner Steip Amach (Ire) (Vocalised). Adrift in Isaac Shelby's G3 Greenham, Knight will need to run a career best to gain Classic laurels.

AMERICAN FLAG (FR), Wootton Bassett (GB)–Tres Americanqueen (Fr) (American Post {GB})
Owner: Malcolm Parrish
Breeder: Chevotel De La Hauquerie
Trainer: Yann Barberot
Sales History: €102,000 Arqana August yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: A half-brother to four individual winners, he is the eighth foal out of Tres Americanqueen, herself a half-sister to six black-type horses. They include German Derby runner-up Tres Blue (Ire) (Anabaa Blue {GB}). American Flag has been impressive in both of his starts this season and sets a good standard.

Prix Omnium Ii (Listed)
1600 m, 55.000 EUR, for 3yo C&G
Saint Cloud

American Flag (FR)
(3C Wootton Bassett – Tres Americanqueen, by American Post)
J : C Soumillon
T : Y. Barberot
O :Malcolm Parrish
B :Chevotel De La Hauqueriepic.twitter.com/7pgB9TbGal

— (@WorldRacing1) March 18, 2023

GOOD GUESS (GB), Kodiac (GB)–Zykina (GB) (Pivotal {GB})
Owner: Hisaaki Saito
Breeder: Cheveley Park Stud Limited
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Sales History: 420,000gns buy at Tattersalls October Book 1
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-brother to Group 3 winner Spangled (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), nine-time winner Jumira Bridge (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and two other winners. Hails from a good family, with his dam Zykina being a daughter of 1000 Guineas and four-time Group 1 winner Russian Rhythm (Kingmambo). On the up but improvement required to get involved.

Prix Djebel (G3)
1400 m, 80.000 EUR
Deauville

Good Guess (GB)
(3C Kodiac – Zykina, by Pivotal)
J :S. Pasquier
T : F. Chappet
O :Hisaaki Saito
Breizh Sky
Belbek
B : @CPStudOfficialpic.twitter.com/KIcx7R5Rpz

— (@WorldRacing1) April 6, 2023

ISAAC SHELBY (GB), Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Kentucky Belle (Ire) (Heliostatic {Ire})
Owner: Wathnan Racing
Breeder: Elaine Chivers
Trainer: Brian Meehan
Sales History: £92,000 Goffs UK Premier yearling; sold privately after G3 Greenham S. win.
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Dam an unraced half-sister to U.S. Grade II winner Ramazutti (Honor Grades). Hugely impressive winner of the Greenham on his return, after which, his trainer stated that all roads would lead here. Looks a major player and a fascinating first runner for his new owners in Europe.

A brilliant finish between two hugely exciting youngsters @NewmarketRace!

Isaac Shelby (Night Of Thunder) just gets the better of Victory Dance (Dubawi) to make it two from two for the @brianmeehanltd team in the G2 bet365 Superlative Stakes @LeveySean pic.twitter.com/bAPTGTB03Y

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 9, 2022

HANS ANDERSEN (GB), Frankel (GB)–Shadow Hunter (Ire) (Arcano {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner: Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith
Breeder: Sun Bloodstock
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Sales History: Tattersalls Book 1 yearling buy at 450,000gns
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Dam a Listed-winning two-year-old over five furlongs out of a half-sister to 1000 Guineas-placed Super Sleuth (Ire) (Selkirk). Hans Anderson was an impressive winner of a 2000 Guineas trial at Leopardstown on his return and could be open to plenty of improvement.

2000 Guineas Trial (G3)
1420m, Group III, 55.000 EUR, for 3yo
Leopardstown

Hans Andersen (GB)
(3C Frankel – Shadow Hunter, by Arcano)
J :Ryan Moore
T :A.P. O'Brien
O :Westerberg, Mrs J.Magnier, M.Tabor, D.Smith
B :Sun Bloodstock Sarlpic.twitter.com/rGH9jHJzSL

— (@WorldRacing1) April 2, 2023

KUBRICK (Ire), Dubawi (Ire)–Rosa Bonheur (Mr. Greeley)
Owner/Breeder: White Birch Farm
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-brother to Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a triple Grade I winner in America, out of the listed-placed Rosa Bonheur, who in turn is a daughter of the Group 2-winning Rolly Polly (Ire) (Mukaddamah). Well-held by Good Guess on his seasonal return.

Here's Kubrick! The Dubawi colt shines late on to beat Adelaide River in the Group 3 Prix des Chenes at @paris_longchamp! @CristianDemuro pic.twitter.com/Z74MeDbrrQ

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 8, 2022

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Coming to the fore with wins in Newmarket's G3 Tattersalls S. and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar, with the latter contest marred by his bizarre scratching and reintroduction to the field, Modern Games has vital experience of travelling overseas and the hustle-and-bustle of a top international prize. “Modern Games has done well from two to three and I can't fault his preparation,” his trainer said of the likely favourite who occupies the box of one of Dubawi's best in Ghaiyyath (Ire). “We are very happy with his draw in stall four and there should be no excuses.”

In Pole Position

Monaco's Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc needs no introduction and the Ferrari pilot has a small stake in Riviera Equine SARL and Haras d'Etreham's 'TDN Rising Star' Lassaut (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}). He beat the re-opposing Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}) over this trip at Chantilly Mar. 9 and in the course-and-distance Prix Machado Apr. 21 and appeals as the ideal type of Jean-Claude Rouget improver which tends to enter the mix in this Classic. Rouget also has Al Shaqab Racing's Apr. 17 G3 Prix de Fontainebleau winner Welwal (GB) (Shalaa {Ire}), who beat several of these in that course-and-distance trial which has been boosted by the subsequent G3 Prix de Guiche success of the stable's fifth-placed Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}).

Not Forgetting Fabre

André Fabre has trained a modern-day record eight winners of the Poulains and while his sixth in the Fontainebleau represented a dip in form, Ancient Rome (War Front) was one of the country's leading juveniles for Coolmore and Westerberg. Having beaten Scherzo (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G3 Prix des Chenes here in September, the relative of Pour Moi (Ire) was third over an inadequate seven in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere here and second in the G1 Criterium International when the testing ground at Saint-Cloud had turned on him. The same ownership have a second string to their bow in Ballydoyle's The Acropolis (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), who upped his game on his 3-year-old bow with a second in the seven-furlong Listed Ballylinch Stud 2000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown Apr. 2. “Maybe he has just come to himself now, so he is worth chancing in this higher grade with the step up to a mile expected to suit,” The Acropolis's jockey Ryan Moore mused.

Osmose A Live Longshot

With 'TDN Rising Star' Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) to aim at in the G1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, the task is to deny the home-trained contingent which has proven difficult of late. Since 2002, only one overseas raider has pulled it off in this Classic which tends to spring up a surprise more often that not. SPs of 38-1, 12-1, 33-1 and 14-1 have been returned in four of the last eight runnings, with only two favourites prevailing in that time. Two of the outsiders hailed from the Rouget stable and he supplies a pair of them here in 'TDN Rising Star' Osmose (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Zelda (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}). Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani's Osmose looked in need of this mile when fourth in the G3 Prix Imprudence at Deauville Apr. 7 and the owner-breeder's racing manager Bertrand Le Métayer is in positive mood. “Osmose is giving very good vibes in her work,” he said. “She is very calm, placid and has a really good mind-set. We can't wait to see her run on good ground and, above all, in a race with pace!”

Pacaut And Doyle Take Aim

Zelda, who took the seven-furlong Listed Prix Saraca at Chantilly in October, carries the silks of the famed basketball player Tony Parker's Infinity Nine Horses. She will be ridden by Coralie Pacaut, the recipient of the 'Cravache d'Or' in 2019, who joins Hollie Doyle in a line-up which demonstrates the growing influence of female jockeys. Doyle is on the Harry and Roger Charlton-trained Jumbly (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), who carried the Rothschild colours to success in the Listed Radley S. at Newbury in October and who was second in the G3 Fred Darling S. on her return at Newbury Apr. 16. Roger Charlton is looking forward to the step up to a mile for the homebred. “She made good headway at Newbury and I guess she is bred to appreciate an extra furlong, so I hope she settles and I think, although she won on very soft ground at Newbury last season, she is a good-moving filly and on the expected quick ground she should be okay,” he said.

Blink And You'll Miss It

At Naas, sprinting is the name of the game on the track's Royal Ascot Trials Day, with the six-furlong G3 Coolmore Stud EBF Fillies Sprint S. attracting seven juvenile fillies headed by Ballydoyle's Apr. 10 Curragh maiden scorer Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never). The Kieran Cotter-trained Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation) takes her on along with Jim Bolger's Comhra (Ire) (Vocalised), who she beat at the Curragh May 2 before Comhra went one better at Roscommon on Monday. In the G3 Goffs Lacken S., Commonwealth Cup prospects square up with the Beauty Stable Partnership's G3 Anglesey S. winner Beauty Inspire (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) tackling the Apr. 23 Listed Committed S. one-two New York City (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Straight Answer (GB) (Kodiac {GB}).

Jet's Back

Also in the Lacken is Michael and Julia Iavarone and Michael O'Callaghan's G3 Cornwallis S. winner Twilight Jet (Ire) (Twilight Son {GB}), who was last seen finishing 10th in the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. “He always had a bit of size and a good mind. He's matured a lot over the winter, both mentally and physically, and he's a fine belter of a horse now,” O'Callaghan said. “His mind is very good and I expect it will be a long year for him, with Royal Ascot his first major target.”

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