Tag: G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud

Westover Powers To Record-Breaking Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud Triumph

Juddmonte's G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}–Mirabilis, by Lear Fan) failed to contend with subsequent G1 Coral-Eclipse runner-up Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in last month's G1 Coronation Cup, but regained the winning thread in emphatic style with a record-breaking performance in Saturday's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Westover raced in a handy third behind Ralph Beckett-trained chaperone Malabu Drive (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who was usurped for the lead by last term's G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern victor Tunnes (Ger) (Guiliani {Ire}), and eased into second when his stablemate faded quickly with a half-mile remaining. Shaken up to seize control from Tunnes in early straight, the 1-2 favourite refused to yield when strongly pressed by Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) inside the final quarter-mile and was driven out to double his elite-level tally by two lengths from that rival. The winning time of 2:25.46 lowered Alpinista's race record, set last year, by nearly 3/4-of-a-second.

Westover's journey at the highest level began with an unlucky-in-running third in Epsom's G1 Derby before gaining a measure of compensation at the Curragh. He emptied quickly when facing elders for the first time in Ascot's G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. at the end of July and closed his 2022 campaign with a sixth in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He faced a stiff task on seasonal return in Meydan's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, but was no match for galactico Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) and ran on with gusto after Emily Upjohn's gears had sealed victory at Epsom last time.

“Inevitably there was pressure as it was a long time since he won, over a year, and the longer that goes on the harder it gets,” reflected Beckett. “There was nothing wrong with his two runs this year and he's only had the one blip in the [G1] King George [last year]. He was great today and it was a very fast time. For so long we had a reputation for training long-distance fillies, so it's important to change the dial. We'll enjoy today and see what comes next. This was important.” Looking ahead to targets down the line, the trainer continued, “I think we'll either stay at a mile-and-a-half or even have a conversation about going up in trip. The peloton came to him, but he stretched away in the last half-furlong. We'll certainly consider the [G1] King George [& Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot] and see how he is closer to the time. There will be a bit of a monkey on the shoulder saying is this a good idea after what happened last year, but we'll see. The Arc will be under consideration too and he ran a great race in it last year, but got stuck in the ground [when sixth].”

It was a landmark success for rider Rob Hornby, with it being his first Group 1 in the Juddmonte silks. “Winning a Group 1 in these colours is the stuff of dreams,” he said. “I was brought up watching these colours win prestigious races and to be able to do it at Group 1 level is the highest honour. I'm grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way. Ralph has trained this horse so well from two to three and three to four, so to win a Group 1 at four is so important. These are things you dream of, so when they come true you don't know how to think.” Reflecting on a record-breaking performance, he added, “The pace was really good early on and Dougie [Costello aboard Malabu Drive] was able to keep it honest the whole way. When he dropped the bit he was able to work into it and hit the line strong. This is my third Group 1 for Ralph and fourth overall, but it's nearly a year since my last one and they are so important for a jockey.”

Pedigree Notes

Westover, one of his sire's 31 Group 1 winners, is one of two black-type scorers and the leading performer out of GIII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. victrix Mirabilis (Lear Fan), who also ran third in the G1 Prix de la Foret. The April-foaled bay is a full-brother to G3 Darley S. victor Monarchs Glen (GB). Mirabilis, a daughter of GII Buena Vista H. and G3 Prix du Bois winner Media Nox (GB) (Lycius), is a half-sister to G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix du Moulin heroine Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat) and G2 Prix Eugene Adam victor Burning Sun (Danzig). Media Nox, in turn, is kin to MGSW G2 Prix de Malleret victrix Bonash (GB) (Rainbow Quest), whose descendants include G3 Earl of Sefton S. scorer and four-time Group 1-placed sire Phoenix Tower (Chester House) and G1 South Africa Classic hero Anfields Rocket (SAf) (Coup De Grace).

Saturday, Saint-Cloud, France
GRAND PRIX DE SAINT-CLOUD-G1, €400,000, Saint-Cloud, 7-8, 4yo/up, 12fT, 2:25.46 (NSR), g/s.
1–WESTOVER (GB), 128, c, 4, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Mirabilis (GSW-US, SW & G1SP-Fr, $275,664), by Lear Fan
2nd Dam: Media Nox (GB), by Lycius
3rd Dam: Sky Love, by Nijinsky II
O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Ralph Beckett; J-Rob Hornby. €228,560. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Ire, GSW & MG1SP-Eng, G1SP-UAE, 11-4-4-1, €2,3570,770. *Full to Monarchs Glen (GB), GSW-Eng, SW & GSP-US, $472,081. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Zagrey (Fr), 128, c, 4, Zarak (Fr)–Grey Anatomy (GB), by Slickly (Fr). (€32,000 RNA Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Ecurie Altima & Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Ecurie Euroling (FR); T-Yann Barberot. €91,440.
3–Junko (GB), 128, g, 4, Intello (Ger)–Lady Zuzu, by Dynaformer. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €45,720.
Margins: 2, 3, 9. Odds: 0.50, 3.20, 5.70.
Also Ran: Tunnes (Ger), Malabu Drive (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Sandown: “Supreme Traveller” Emily Upjohn The One To Beat In The Eclipse

Looking at the history of the G1 Coral-Eclipse, it is clear that fillies and mares have had a hard time against the colts in Sandown's jewel. While the illustrious Pebbles (GB) managed to prevail in 1985 and Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) did so three years ago with the lesser-heralded Kooyonga (Ire) victorious in between in 1992, the list of beaten elite stars among the sex is extensive. It includes Time Charter (Ire), Triptych, Indian Skimmer, In The Groove (GB), Bosra Sham, Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and also Enable who was only second attempting a second success in 2021. Like the latter pair, TDN Rising Star Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) hails from the Gosdens' Clarehaven base and does so with similar gravitas to her predecessors on Saturday.

Already an unlucky-looking Oaks runner-up and easy G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. winner at three, it was at Epsom last month that the filly owned in partnership by the Lloyd-Webbers, Jonathan Shack and Stuart Roden really took off. Her display of brilliance in the G1 Coronation Cup, in which her blistering sectionals included a :10.52 from three to two out which proved faster than any produced in either the Derby or Oaks over the same course, distance and ground, surprised connections but the secret is very much out now where she is concerned.

That this plays out over the same course and distance over which she gained TDN Rising Star status when winning her novice by 9 1/2 lengths in April 2022 lends even greater weight to her credentials and William Buick is relishing the opportunity to try and extend his tally of three wins in this starting with this yard's Nathaniel (Ire) 11 years ago. “I rode her in a racecourse gallop and she feels great,” he said. “She  is a supreme traveller with a turn of foot and has all the attributes at this level.”

 

Paddington Following Old Trends

Ballydoyle has a rich history of winning this with 3-year-olds, with the late great Dr. Vincent O'Brien delivering four from that generation including Solford and Sadler's Wells who subdued the aforementioned Time Charter in 1983 and 1984, respectively. Aidan has followed on with a quartet of his own among his total of six, beginning with Giant's Causeway in the millennium year. Like the “Iron Horse”, TDN Rising Star Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Ire}) comes here having taken the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas-G1 St James's Palace S. route and at this stage there is no way of telling where his ceiling is.

   Giant's Causeway was the winner of a thrilling renewal, which involved another class mare in Shiva (Jpn), while the other from the yard stepping up from those mile monuments Black Minnaloushe (Storm Cat) was a close fifth and possibly a touch unlucky a year later.

Ryan Moore said, “Mine is a straightforward horse and I've loved everything he's done this year. There are a few questions he has to answer and we'll find out tomorrow, but he has a lot of class.”

 

Gone West?

Tactics may well play a hand despite the fact that there are only four runners. Small fields do not necessarily guarantee a trouble-free race, as Kieren Fallon found out ensnared on the rail on the aforementioned Bosra Sham at a crucial stage in 1997 when there were five contenders. Step forward the third TDN Rising Star West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), a talented performer on his day who would not be a far-fetched winner of a race that might tactically suit.

He has the added advantage of Jamie Spencer and Ed Crisford was keen to stress that the in-form rider is key to the prospects of the dual Group 3 scorer. “Jamie understands the horse and believes in the horse. He understands how to be with him, as he can be a bit of a quirky horse in his demeanour,” he said. “He is channelling his energy much better after being gelded, which is helping him stay. Now it is just a case of climbing the ladder.”

 

Dubai Honour

Always on the cusp of a Group 1 win at home, the now fully-mature Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) has gone the “Addeybb” route of the G1 Ranvet and G1 Queen Elizabeth S. Kept away from fast ground by William Haggas, Mohamed Obaida's 5-year-old showed what he can do on a lively surface in the Ranvet but it was significant that connections felt afterwards that they “got away with” that going. It is going to be hot at Sandown on Saturday and drying conditions may play against him, but the famous uphill climb to the line is always a help to horses like him.

“Australia was Dubai Honour's new beginning as a Group 1 horse and we are looking forward to his first run back in a Group 1 on home turf,” Tom Marquand said. “The stiff finish will suit him and it looks as if he might be better going right-handed. It's a tough race, but hopefully he can finish off with a bit of a rattle.”

 

Westover Takes Aim At Saint-Cloud

Juddmonte's Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) would no doubt have been a major player in the Eclipse, so anything other than a smooth win in Saturday's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud can be registered as an upset. Staged 15 minutes after his G1 Coronation Cup conqueror Emily Upjohn's Eclipse outing, last year's G1 Irish Derby hero gets reacquainted with Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) who was 2 1/4 lengths behind him as they filled the consolation slots in arrears of Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

Bearing in mind what Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) did at Royal Ascot, that Meydan form is probably the world's best at present and it all points to Westover providing he is on best behaviour. He wasn't when blowing out in last year's King George, while his antics in the lead-up to the Sheema Classic might have compromised him there. “It's always in the back of your mind. He did in Ascot last year, but in Dubai it wasn't really the same as it was his first run of the year in a new environment and he was fresh,” the operation's Barry Mahon said. “Hopefully Ascot was a one-off isolated incident and he'll be fine on Saturday. You'd like to think he'll hard to beat, to be fair.”

 

The Supporting Acts

Two significant Group 2 races form the background to Saturday's feature events, with Haydock's Lancashire Oaks and Saint-Cloud's Prix Eugene Adam offering contrasting fare. Of the older fillies and mares assembled for the former, George Strawbridge's G2 Park Hill S. winner Mimikyu (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) stands out after her creditable second under a penalty in York's G3 Bronte Cup in May. Bidding for a 10th renewal for the Gosdens, she follows on from last year's Lancashire Oaks winner Free Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) tackling Sunderland Holding's course-and-distance G3 Lester Piggott S. winner Sea Silk Road (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Experience may not count for much in the Eugene Adam if Newtown Anner Stud Farm's impressive Gowran maiden winner Knight To King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) makes the usual progress that Dermot Weld's 3-year-olds tend to from their debuts. The son of Gita Weld's G1 Irish 1000 Guineas-winning Nightime (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) holds a special place in his trainer's heart and it will be interesting to see how far the half-brother to Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) can ascend in the rankings.

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Sandown’s Eclipse Attracts Field Of Four, Anmaat Absent

Saturday's G1 Coral-Eclipse is down to just four after one of the main protagonists Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) was ruled out at the 11th hour due to a foot abscess. TDN Rising Stars Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Ire}), Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) are joined by this year's G1 Ranvet and G1 Queen Elizabeth S. hero Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) as Shadwell's G1 Prix d'Ispahan winner was forced to skip the contest.

“It's just a matter of timing, he'll be fine next week hopefully,” Angus Gold said. “It's a big blow to Owen [Burrows] and the team there and obviously Sheikha Hissa and all at Shadwell. Off the top of my head we could look at something like the Irish Champion S., but that is obviously a while away yet. The Eclipse was his prime summer target, but there we go.”

Emily Upjohn, so impressive in the G1 Coronation Cup last time, was declared without the hood she sported in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. and at Epsom last time. As announced earlier in the week, William Buick will partner the Gosdens' 4-year-old, who will look to provide the Lloyd Webbers and Buick with more joy than The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}) who was last of seven in the 2013 edition and Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) who had beaten only one of the five runners three years earlier. In France, five have been declared for Saturday's €400,000 G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, with the Coronation Cup runner-up and last year's G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) the standout.

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Frankel’s Alpinista Takes The Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud

Kirsten Rausing's Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was making her comeback in Sunday's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, but there was no sign of rustiness as she overwhelmed a deep field for a fourth consecutive top-level victory. Now unbeaten in her last six starts including the G2 Lancashire Oaks, G1 Grosser Preis Von Berlin, G1 Preis Von Europa and G1 Grosser Preis Von Bayern, the Sir Mark Prescott-trained grey was held up early travelling notably strongly for Luke Morris in rear of mid-division. Unleashed wide at the top of the straight, the 8-1 shot rolled by the progressive Fabre trainee Baratti (GB) (Frankel {GB}) a furlong from home en route to a 1 1/4-length success, with Bubble Gift (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}) a neck away in third. There are worrying signs for connections of the 4-5 favourite Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), as he weakened in early straight and beat only one rival.

“She's taken a long time to come to hand this year, which is why she missed the Coronation Cup and I feel she's only just starting to come now, so I hope she can improve for the run and I think all roads will lead to the Arc,” Morris said. “We usually ride her very handy, but there looked to be a lot of pace in the race so on her first run of the year we said we'd take a chance and drop her in a bit more and see how she went. The gap came lovely and she produced a very good turn of foot. She beat Torquator Tasso last year and it was the decision between going to Germany for what looked a very easy group one or going for the Arc and we chose the easy option–this year we may aim a bit higher.”

Alpinista is arguably the best that Prescott has trained since her dual G1 Champion S.-winning relative Alborada (GB) (Alzao), but she has taken time to reach full maturity and fulfil her potential. Since registering her first black-type win in Salisbury's Listed Upavon Fillies' S. in August 2020, the only rivals to have taken her measure have been Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks shortly after and Antonia De Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the G3 Princess Royal S. at Newmarket the following month. “It was a faultless performance wasn't it really? She wouldn't come in her coat in the Spring and wasn't at a stage where she could run,” her trainer said. “She's just come right now and to be honest I thought the race might come 10 days too soon for her, but it's worked out very well. You would hope she could improve a tiny bit more.”

“We'll see what Miss Rausing feels, but I would think one run before the Arc, probably, and conventionally you'd go for the Prix Vermeille–that would be the obvious race,” Prescott added. “I don't see any reason to be a clever Dick, I think you just go with the obvious and hope she's good enough to do it.” Juddmonte's Barry Mahon said of Baratti, “He has run a great race. Andre Fabre has always said he is a good horse and he has had a few setbacks, including one before the Hardwicke but we now have a good horse for the second half of the season.”

Alpinista is the first foal out of the listed scorer Alwilda (GB) (Hernando {Fr}), who is one of four black-type winners out of the family's initial triple German group 1 winner Albanova (GB) (Alzao). The others are the group 3 scorer Algometer (GB) (Archipenko), the listed scorer and group 3-placed Alignak (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and the triple French listed winner All At Sea (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) who is in turn the dam of this year's G2 Queen's Vase winner Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

The third dam is the Listed Oyster S. winner Alouette (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), producer of the aforementioned Alborada who is kin to the G3 Doncaster Cup winner Alleluia (GB) (Caerleon) who in turn produced the G1 Prix Royal-Oak heroine Allegretto (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Alouette is also a half to the G2 Nassau S. winner Last Second (Ire) by Albanova and Alborada's sire Alzao, who boasts the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulians-winning sire Aussie Rules (Danehill) among her progeny list. Also related to last year's G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. and G1 Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Albaflora (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Alwilda has the dual-winning 3-year-old filly Alpenblume (GB) (Kendargent {Fr}) and a filly foal by Iffraaj {GB).

Sunday, Saint-Cloud, France
GRAND PRIX DE SAINT-CLOUD-G1, €400,000, Saint-Cloud, 7-3, 4yo/up, 12fT, 2:26.15, g/s.
1–ALPINISTA (GB), 125, m, 5, by Frankel (GB)
     1st Dam: Alwilda (GB) (SW-Ger & SP-Eng), by Hernando (Fr)
     2nd Dam: Albanova (GB), by Alzao
     3rd Dam: Alouette (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
O/B-Kirsten Rausing (GB); T-Sir Mark Prescott; J-Luke Morris. €228,560. Lifetime Record: Ch. Older Mare-Eng at 11-14f, Ch. Older Mare-Ger at 11-14f, MG1SW-Ger, GSW & G1SP-Eng, 13-8-2-0, €709,197. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Baratti (GB), 128, c, 4, Frankel (GB)–Binche, by Woodman.
1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €91,440.
3–Bubble Gift (Fr), 126, c, 4, Nathaniel (Ire)–Bubble Back (Fr), by Grand Lodge.
1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Zak Bloodstock; B-A Hakam (FR); T-Mikel Delzangles. €45,720.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, 3. Odds: 7.90, 10.00, 25.00.
Also Ran: Sweet Lady (Fr), Lone Eagle (Ire), High Definition (Ire), Mare Australis (Ire), Hurricane Lane (Ire), Third Realm (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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