Anchored with one behind early by Ioritz Mendizabal, the chestnut had to wait for room at the top of the straight as the eventual runner-up Elusive Princess (Fr) (Martinborough {Jpn}) ran into a dead end on the rail. In the open in time to get to the front approaching the furlong pole, she stayed on strongly to score by half a length from the unlucky second, with 3/4 of a length back to the long-time leader Heartache Tonight (Fr) (Recorder {GB}) in third.

“You can't really fault this filly since her debut when she was beaten by one with great potential, as she has since proven,” Chappet said. “We will enjoy that, see how she comes out of the race and take it day by day before deciding on her next race. She is not in the [G1 Prix] Saint-Alary, not in the Diane. We shall see.”

Pedigree Notes

Crown Princesse's dam Lovemedo, who was runner-up in the Listed Prix la Sorellina, is a half-sister to the Listed Prix de Bagatelle winner Mary's Precedent (Fr) (Storming Home {GB}) who produced another Sorellina runner-up in Mary's France (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}). The family features the G1 Prix
de l'Arc de Triomphe and G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and his half-sister, the multiple grade I-winning Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf heroine and champion Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}). Lovemedo's 2-year-old filly by Meshaheer is named Love Her (Fr).

Friday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX CLEOPATRE-G3, €80,000, Saint-Cloud, 4-21, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT, 2:19.25, sf.
1–CROWN PRINCESSE (FR), 126, f, 3, by Zarak (Fr)
1st Dam: Lovemedo (Fr) (SP-Fr), by Zafeen (Fr)
2nd Dam: Suvretta Queen (Ire), by Polish Precedent
3rd Dam: Allwaki, by Miswaki
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Haras de Saint-Julien & Mme Regula Vannod (FR); T-Fabrice Chappet; J-Ioritz Mendizabal. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, €58,900. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Elusive Princess (Fr), 126, f, 3, Martinborough (Jpn)–Elusive Action (Fr), by Elusive City. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Ecurie Victoria Dreams; B/T-Jean-Philippe Dubois (FR). €16,000.
3–Heartache Tonight (Fr), 126, f, 3, Recorder (GB)–Salvation (GB), by Montjeu (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€160,00 P/S Ylg '21 ARQOCT). O-Chris Wright & Andy MacDonald; B-Sylvain Vidal (FR); T-David Menuisier. €12,000.
Margins: HF, 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 11.40, 3.70, 5.00.
Also Ran: Forelsket (Ire), Ottery (GB), Higgle (GB), Amelielympique (Ire), Solaire (Fr). Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Saturday, Deauville, France
CRITERIUM DU FONDS EUROPEEN DE L'ELEVAGE-Listed, €130,000, Deauville, 8-20, 2yo, 8fT, 1:42.58, gd.
1–VICTORIA ROAD (IRE), 126, c, 2, Saxon Warrior (Jpn)
1st Dam: Tickled Pink (Ire) (MGSW-Eng, $117,768), by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
2nd Dam: Cassandra Go (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
3rd Dam: Rahaam, by Secreto
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (115,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Westerberg, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Trevor Stewart (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ioritz Mendizabal. €65,000. Lifetime Record: 6-2-2-0, €104,350. *1st stakes winner for sire (by Deep Impact {Jpn}).
2–Blue Rose Cen (Ire), 122, f, 2, Churchill (Ire)–Queen Blossom (Ire), by Jeremy. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (IRE); T-Christopher Head. €26,000.
3–Dear My Friend (GB), 126, c, 2, Pivotal (GB)–Dusty Red (GB), by Teofilo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (35,000gns RNA Wlg '20 TATFOA; £40,000 Ylg '21 GOFFUK). O-Middleham Park Racing XXV; B-Bartlett, Beever & Cheveley Park Stud (GB); T-Charlie & Mark Johnston. €19,500.
Margins: SNK, 1HF, 1HF. Odds: 4.10, 2.90, 2.60.
Also Ran: Duc De Morny (GB), Love Too (Fr), Strako (Fr), Ghrainne (GB), Everwin (Fr), Bozzo (Fr). Scratched: Ifach (Ire). Video, sponsored by TVG.

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“He's a nice horse and he won easy, very easy,” commented rider Ioritz Mendizabal. “Before and after the race he was not so easy, but in the race he was easy, and next time I will speak with Ryan [Moore] beforehand. When we hit the front he went a little bit left, but normally that is because they are a little bit babyish. It's incredible for me to ride for Aidan [O'Brien], my agent got me the ride and then I spoke with Aidan this morning. If Aidan wants to bring him back to France, I will be free every time.”

O'Brien added, “He's coming forward as he was a baby all along and I was delighted with him. Even though he was babyish today, Ioritz was very impressed with him. He said he's gone very professional and won very easy. He's definitely progressing. We wanted to divide them up, with Little Big Bear running at the Curragh yesterday, and he's now in the mix for the [G1] Phoenix Stakes or the [G1] Prix Morny.” Reflecting on the performance of runner-up The Antarctic, the trainer continued, “We were very happy with The Antarctic. He's coming along as well although he's probably still not really there yet, but he's definitely progressing.”

Blackbeard, one of his sire's 21 pattern-race winners, is the first foal bred from Muirin (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}), whose own dam Girouette (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) collected the G3 Phoenix Sprint S. and is also the second dam of Listed Prix du Grand Camp-winning Polish champion Night Tornado (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}). Blackbeard's stakes-placed third dam Vassiana (Fr) (Anabaa), whos decsendants include dual Group 3 winner Max Vega (Ire), is a full-sister to G3 Prix d'Arenberg victrix Villadolide (Fr) and Listed Prix Hampton and Listed Prix du Cercle scorer Victorieux (Fr). The next dam Domludge (Lyphard) is a half-sister to multiple elite-level winner and G1 Prix de Diane heroine Mrs Penny (Great Nephew {GB}) and a full-sister to G3 Prix Vanteaux third Cadeaux d'Amie (Lyphard), herself the dam of multiple Group 1-winning 1000 Guineas heroine Hatoof (Irish River {Fr}). Muirin has a yearling full-sister to Blackbeard to come.

Sunday, Chantilly, France
DARLEY PRIX ROBERT PAPIN-G2, €130,000, Chantilly, 7-17, 2yo, 6fT, 1:08.31, gd.
1–BLACKBEARD (IRE), 128, c, 2, by No Nay Never
1st Dam: Muirin (Ire), by Born To Sea (Ire)
2nd Dam: Girouette (Ire), by Pivotal (GB)
3rd Dam: Vassiana (Fr), by Anabaa
(270,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Newstead Breeding LLC (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ioritz Mendizabal. €74,100. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, 6-4-1-0, €174,740. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–The Antarctic (Ire), 128, c, 2, Dark Angel (Ire)–Anna Law (Ire), by Lawman (Fr). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (750,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Westerberg & Brant; B-Bally Philip Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €28,600.
3–Vicious Harry (Fr), 126, c, 2, Harry Angel (Ire)–Umneeyatee (Aus), by Encosta de Lago (Aus). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€28,000 Ylg '21 ARQOCT). O-Cuadra Mediterraneo; B-Medya SARL & Tarik Tekce (FR); T-Mauricio Delcher Sanchez. €13,650.
Margins: 3, 3, NO. Odds: 1.20, 6.80, 7.80.
Also Ran: Belbek (Fr), Lova (Fr), Bottle Of Bubbles (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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“She is a very smart filly who is much more mature than she was last season,” explained trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. “We did well to run her over one-and-a-half miles last time to teach her more about how to settle and the experience did her a lot of good. We also we made the right decision to pass on the G3 Prix d'Hedouville and wait for this race. If only because we avoided fast ground and hot temperatures. The softer it is, the better it is for her and we are convinced that the second half of the season will give her more opportunities.  She will be entered in the [G1] Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud here and the [G1 Prix] Jean Romanet at Deauville, but there will be no rush to run if conditions are not suitable. The [G1] Yorshire Oaks are also a possibility and of course she is entered in the [G1] Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. We will take the time we need to decide what is next and, for the time being, she has enriched her resume and we're delighted.”

Sweet Lady is the last reported foal produced by Listed River Eden S. victrix and G2 May Hill S. runner-up High Heel Sneakers (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who also produced Listed Oaks Trial winner Toujours L'Amour (GB) (Authorized {Ire}). Sweet Lady's third dam Charmie Carmie (Lyphard) is the dam of MG1SW Peruvian champion Faaz (Fappiano) and her descendants also include G1 SA Fillies' Classic heroine Zaitoon (SAf) (Count Dubois {GB}). Charmie Carmie is kin to MGISW American Fillies' Triple Crown heroine Chris Evert (Swoon's Son), whose own descendants are headed by Belmont S.-winning sire Chief's Crown (Danzig), GI Frizette S. and GI Gazelle S. heroine Classic Crown (Mr. Prospector) and MGISW dual GI Beldame S. victrix Sightseek (Distant View). Charmie Carmie is also kin to stakes-winning GI Delaware Oaks third All Rainbows (Bold Hour), herself the dam of GI Kentucky Derby heroine and MGISW US champion Winning Colors (Caro {Ire}).

Tuesday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX CORRIDA-G2, €130,000, Saint-Cloud, 5-24, 4yo/up, f/m, 10 1/2fT, 2:14.11, sf.
1–SWEET LADY (FR), 126, f, 4, by Lope de Vega (Ire)
1st Dam: High Heel Sneakers (GB) (SW & GSP-Eng, SW-US, GSP-Fr, SP-Ity, $212,137), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Sundae Girl, by Green Dancer
3rd Dam: Charmie Carmie, by Lyphard
(€100,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Gemini Stud; B-Stratford Place Stud (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Ioritz Mendizabal. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 11-5-2-0, €228,200. *1/2 to Toujours L'Amour (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), SW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Burgarita (GB), 126, f, 4, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Angelita (Ire), by Alzao. (95,000gns Wlg '18 TATFOA). O-Ecurie Ama.Zingteam; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €28,650.
3–Amazing Grace (Ger), 126, f, 4, Protectionist (Ger)–Amabelle (Ger), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O/B-Dr Christoph Berglar (GER); T-Waldemar Hickst. €13,650.
Margins: HF, 2, HF. Odds: 2.50, 1.50, 7.60.
Also Ran: Alaskasonne (Fr), Coeur Macen (Fr), Rumi (Fr). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Denied a debut win by a short head over seven furlongs at Dundalk in November, Joan of Arc was off the mark in testing conditions over that trip at The Curragh Mar. 21 before finishing sixth when stablemate Empress Josephine was 10th in the G3 Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial again over that distance at Leopardstown Apr. 11. Heading back to the latter venue and moving up to a mile for the G3 Irish 1000 Guineas Trial, the bay made all before losing out by a short head in the shade of the post in the Irish Guineas. This was as straightforward as it gets in a Chantilly Classic, with Mendizabal encountering no traffic issues and an ideal lead from the Christopher Head trainee who was unpressured on the front end.

As they sauntered past the chateau, Burgarita was allowed to tank down the outer to gain a more prominent position but little else had changed since the outset. In early straight, it looked as if Aurelien Lemaitre had the race in hand on the smooth-travelling 13-1 shot Sibila Spain, with Joan of Arc beginning to work along with Burgarita and TDN Rising Star Harajuku (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) another Fabre representative in the firing line. As the leader began to falter in the last 100 metres, Joan of Arc found another surge and that was decisive as Philomene lunged too late having had three lengths to make up from the top of the lane.

“Aidan O'Brien is my Santa Claus! He has given me two superb horses to ride in recent weeks,” Mendizabal quipped. “He gave me some simple instructions, but when the horses are as good as that, it's easy. All this success is a direct result of the hard work put in at home and for me to be working with the Aiden O'Brien team is just incredible.” Aidan O'Brien's record is now complete, with this victory meaning that he has trained the winner of every British, Irish and French Classic and he said, “I'm delighted, even more so because she was bred at home by John and Susan Magnier. Ioritz gave her a super ride. This is a race we have tried to win many times, but it is not easy to win. According to Ioritz, she shouldn't have a problem stepping up to a mile and a half. The [G1] Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe could therefore be a possibility for her. We have a lot of very good three-year-olds this year, it's very exciting.”

Philomene was emulating her half-sister Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), who was runner-up to Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) in 2013, and Godolphin's Lisa-Jane Graffard said, “We are delighted with Philomene's run and couldn't be prouder of her effort. She has justified the belief that everyone has always had and Andre Fabre feels that stepping up to 12 furlongs will be ideal for her. She comes from a family that improves with age. I think she looked better in the paddock today and I think that she will come on again for that. We have always loved her. She comes from a very good pedigree and she is also very beautiful, so we are very lucky to have her.”

Maxime Guyon, who was to ride four winners on the card, said of Burgarita, “For just her third race, that was a magnificent performance. She still isn't quite hardened but that will come with time, she has run excellently today.” Christopher Head said of Sibila Spain, “She's run a blinder and it was the right decision to supplement her. She did what we expected her to do and we have no complaints. Today we have really seen her quality at the top level. It is very reassuring, especially as she still has the capacity to progress, not forgetting that she didn't run as a two-year-old. The fact we were drawn on the wide outside may have gone against us, especially in the closing stages. As for the future, we will have a chat with her owners. You always want to win,
but even still, fourth in a race like this is excellent.”

Joan of Arc becomes the fourth group 1 winner for the incredible You'resothrilling (Storm Cat), the G2 Cherry Hinton S.-winning full-sister to the Iron Horse Giant's Causeway. Every foal–which are all by Galileo–she has produced thus far has achieved at least a placing at the highest level, with the aforementioned Gleneagles annexing the G1 English and Irish 2000 Guineas, G1 St James's Palace S. and G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. and Marvellous taking the Irish 1000 Guineas. Happily (Ire) was successful in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. and G1 Grand Criterium and fourth in this three years ago, Taj Mahal (Ire) captured two editions of the G2 Sandown Classic and was runner-up in the GI Secretariat S., Coolmore (Ire) took the G3 C L & M F Weld Park S. and was third in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational, and Vatican City (Ire)–the only one not to score in group company–was second in last year's G1 Irish 2000 Guineas.

You'resothrilling, who also has an as-yet unnamed 2-year-old full-sister to them all named Toy (Ire), is also a full-sibling of Pearling, the dam of the G1 Irish Champion S. hero and first-season sire Decorated Knight (Ire) also by Galileo. They are out of the six-times graded-stakes winner Mariah's Storm (Rahy), whose eight stakes performers include Giant's Causeway's full-brothers and sires Tumblebrutus and Freud and Galileo's Butterflies (Ire) who was second in the G3 Munster Oaks and third in the G3 Flame of Tara S. and is now the dam of this year's TDN Rising Star Yet (War Front). You'resothrilling and Pearling were the first two fillies produced by Mariah's Storm, with the next being the unraced Love Me Only (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) who also did her part for the family by throwing the G2 Great Voltigeur S. winner, G1 Irish Derby runner-up and G1 Epsom Derby third Storm the Stars (Sea the Stars {Ire}). Another of Mariah's Storm's unraced daughters Fabulous (Ire) by Galileo is responsible for Thinking of You (American Pharoah), who was third behind Joan of Arc in the G3 Irish 1000 Guineas Trial.

Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX DE DIANE LONGINES-G1, €1,000,000, Chantilly, 6-20, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT, 2:09.05, g/s.
1–JOAN OF ARC (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: You'resothrilling (GSW-Eng & Ire, $219,415), by Storm Cat
2nd Dam: Mariah's Storm, by Rahy
3rd Dam: Immense, by Roberto
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ioritz Mendizabal. €571,400. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0, €692,240. *Full to Gleneagles (Ire), Hwt. 2yo Colt-Ire, Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 7-9.5f, MG1SW-Eng & Ire, G1SP-Fr, $1,427,036; Happily (Ire), Hwt. 2yo Filly-Fr, G1SW-Fr & Ire, MG1SP-Eng, $878,482; Marvellous (Ire), G1SW-Ire, $262,665; Taj Mahal (Ire), MGSW-Aus, GISP-US, GSP-Ire, $838,037; Coolmore (Ire), GSW-Ire & GISP-US, $238,593; and Vatican City (Ire), G1SP-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Philomene (Ire), 126, f, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Prudenzia (Ire), by Dansili (GB). (€1,625,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Godolphin, Ecurie des Monceaux & Ecurie Skymarc Farm; B-Ecurie des Monceaux & Ecurie Skymarc Farm (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. €228,600.
3–Burgarita (GB), 126, f, 3, Sea the Stars (Ire)–Angelita (Ire), by Alzao. (95,000gns Wlg '18 TATFOA). O-Ecurie Ama.Zingteam; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €114,300.
Margins: 3/4, SHD, HF. Odds: 5.30, 3.30, 5.10.
Also Ran: Sibila Spain (Ire), Rougir (Fr), Harajuku (Ire), Incarville (Fr), Sweet Lady (Fr), Rumi (Fr), Cirona (GB), Coeursamba (Fr), Es La Vida (GB), Noble Heidi (Fr), Light Stars (Fr), Omnia Munda Mundis (GB), Khalidiya (Fr), Natsukashi (Fr). Scratched: Amazing Grace (Ger). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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It could be argued that this Classic was effectively decided when the draw was made, as the Rosegreen candidate already had enough of a class edge over his assembled peers without the addition of such a clear advantage in the post position. Neither keen nor lazy from the break, the bay was able to move forward and draft in a true “catbird seat” with the giant Normandy Bridge almost acting as shepherd in front. With the Rouget trio Cheshire Academy (Fr) (Flintshire {GB}), Makaloun (Fr) (Bated Breath {GB}) and Saiydabad (Blame) effectively scuppered by their wide draws, they all became hopelessly detached from an early stage and the real action was all up front. Millebosc had tracked the eventual winner against the fence and he was able to enter contention in his own time, but in truth there was only Sealiway who at an insulting 53-1 could even remotely threaten inside the final two furlongs. That G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere hero briefly flattered before Mendizabal shot up the rail on St Mark's Basilica and was able to temporarily take a pull, such was his control of the race at that stage. As he had in ParisLongchamp's mile Classic three weeks earlier, the winner was in a different league once his acceleration had been employed and while the winning margin was not exaggerated, his superiority was.

Very few European Derby winners are able to win over six furlongs at two, but St Mark's Basilica is in that unique category having broken his maiden over that trip at The Curragh in August, just 13 days after running fifth in the G1 Phoenix S. over the same track and trip. Third to Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Wembley (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) over seven furlongs in the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. back there in September, the bay took a step forward to reverse the form with that pair in the G1 Dewhurst S. at Newmarket on his 2-year-old finale in October. Whether he ends up a G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe contender remains to be seen, especially as the stable already has a cluster of horses for that showcase, and it is more likely that he will become another from Ballydoyle able to mix it between a mile and 10 furlongs.

“We are absolutely delighted–we thought he'd come forward from his first run at Longchamp, as they usually do and Ioritz gave him a brilliant ride,” his trainer said. “He's a great horseman and very intelligent–he takes all the information on board and when he rode for us at Deauville last year we were very impressed with him. When Frankie rode St Mark's Basilica last year in the Dewhurst, he said he'd have no problem with a mile and a quarter and he relaxes and quickens and is a very easy horse to manoeuvre–he's a very intelligent horse. We know the pace he has and it makes him very special–he has those qualities you need in France more than anywhere really. He was very impressive on his first run and did the same thing today–he puts a race to bed very quickly and very few can do that. He's out of a Galileo mare by Siyouni and he has the qualities of both. We'll see how he comes out of this and its possible he'll stay further, but when you have a horse who is able to quicken over mile like he can you don't know. We'll see what the lads want to do, but he's a very exciting horse.”

Frederic Rossi said of Sealiway, “He ran a bad race last time in the Poulains and that was my mistake, as I think I gave him too hard a race in the Fontainebleau first time this season. He was not quite ready for that and so paid the price in the Poulains, but he had given every sign that he was bouncing back in the mornings and we saw the Sealiway I know on the track this afternoon. There is no doubt that he was beaten by a better horse, but the result says that the European champion 2-year-old won and the French champion 2-year-old was second which says it all. We'll give him a break and bring him back for the [G2 Prix] Guillaume d'Ornano [at Deauville Aug. 14].”

Millebosc's trainer Stephanie Nigge said, “I'm still crying–it was a little bit too much pressure! I always said he was a nice one and he's run a superb race. Unfortunately, he had a few setbacks earlier in the season and we had to bring him back for the races late and he still needed the race in the Prix de Guiche last time. He had changed a lot and improved physically since. He'll probably stay further in the second half of the season and he's a top horse for the future.”

St. Mark's Basilica becomes the second Prix du Jockey Club hero for his sire and also gives his G3 Silver Flash S.-winning dam Cabaret (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) a third Classic after Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) took the 2019 G1 2000 Guineas. Cabaret is kin to the G3 Solario S. winner Drumfire (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and the Hong Kong stakes scorer Ho Choi (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) who was also runner-up in the G2 Gimcrack S. The third dam Fife (Ire) (Lomond), who was third in the Listed Lupe S., is also the second dam of the G3 Park S. winner and G1 Moyglare S. runner-up Ugo Fire (Ire) (Bluebird) and is a half-sister to Piffle (GB) (Shirley Heights {GB}). She in turn is the dam of the GI Hollywood Turf Cup hero Frenchpark (GB) (Foolshome) and the G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Pearly Shells (GB) (Efisio {GB}). Cabaret's unraced 2-year-old full-brother to St Mark's Basilica is named Paris Lights (Ire), while she also has a colt foal by Kingman (GB).

Sunday, Chantilly, France
QATAR PRIX DU JOCKEY CLUB-G1, €1,500,000, Chantilly, 6-6, 3yo, c/f, 10 1/2fT, 2:07.30, sf.
1–ST MARK'S BASILICA (FR), 128, c, 3, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: Cabaret (Ire) (GSW-Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Witch of Fife, by Lear Fan
3rd Dam: Fife (Ire), by Lomond
(1,300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Robert Scarborough (FR); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ioritz Mendizabal. €857,100. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 2yo Colt-Eur, G1SW-Eng & G1SP-Ire, 7-4-1-1, €1,528,756. *1/2 to Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 7-9.5f & MG1SW-Eng, $597,769. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Sealiway (Fr), 128, c, 3, Galiway (GB)–Kensea (Fr), by Kendargent (Fr). (€62,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Le Haras de la Gousserie & Guy Pariente; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Frederic Rossi. €342,900.
3–Millebosc (Fr), 128, c, 3, Le Havre (Ire)–Mixed Intention (Ire), by Elusive City. O-Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Franklin Finance SA (FR); T-Stephanie Nigge. €171,450.
Margins: 1 3/4, SHD, 1 1/4. Odds: 2.90, 53.00, 25.00.
Also Ran: Saiydabad, Cheshire Academy (Fr), Pretty Tiger (Ire), Adhamo (Ire), Derab (GB), Makaloun (Fr), Van Gogh, Normandy Bridge (Fr), Megallan (GB), Fort Payne (Fr), Baby Rider (Fr), El Drama (Ire), Smile Makers (Fr), Ninth Titan (Ire), Royal Word (Fr), Policy of Truth (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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As he continues his retirement, so does his legacy gain momentum. A few months before Pivotal was retired, his son Siyouni (Fr) had been crowned champion sire in his native France for the first time. The Aga Khan Studs stallion had only missed out on earning that title in the two previous seasons to Galileo (Ire) and Nathaniel (Ire), respectively the sires of the high-earning Arc winners Waldgeist (GB) and Enable (GB) in those two years. Then Siyouni got his own Arc winner, Sottsass (Fr), augmenting a profile which already had a properly classy look to it.

In each of the last four seasons, Siyouni has been responsible for a French Classic winner. His first-crop daughter Ervedya (Fr) had actually got the ball rolling in 2015, winning the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches for her and her sire's breeder the Aga Khan. A little gap ensued, but Le Brivido (Fr) was soon knocking on the door, and was only a short-head away from claiming the Poule d'Essai des Poulains two years later when being so narrowly beaten by Brametot (Ire).

Then came Laurens (Fr) to claim the Prix de Diane as one of her six Group 1 victories in France, Britain and Ireland, starting a Classic run which was continued by Sottsass in the Prix du Jockey Club of 2019, Dream And Do (Fr) in last year's Poule d'Essai des Pouliches before the 2020 European champion 2-year-old St Mark's Basilica (Fr) made good on his juvenile promise to land the Poulains for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore team. 

Of course Siyouni can't take all the credit here, as St Mark's Basilica's Group 3-winning dam Cabaret (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has already shown herself to be a producer par excellence for Australian breeder Bob Scarborough via her son Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), winner of the 2000 Guineas in 2019. This repeats the cross seen to good effect in Sottsass, who is out of arguably the most celebrated active broodmare in France, Starlet's Sister (Ire). 

Doubling up on Danzig has done no harm in the case of Laurens and Dream And Do, while Siyouni's other top-level winner, the GI EP Taylor S. victrix Etoile (Fr), is out of a mare by Authorized (Ire) and is, like Laurens, inbred 4×4 to Danzig. A similar cross to this is found in the Siyouni 2-year-old Kaltham (Fr), a daughter of dual Arc winner Treve (Fr), who is by another Derby-winning son of Montjeu (Ire) in Motivator (GB).

Like Pivotal before him, Siyouni started out at stud standing for a relatively small fee of €7,000, which has gradually climbed to €140,000, making him the most expensive stallion in France, just as his own sire was in Britain when Pivotal's covering price climbed to £85,000 in 2007 and 2008. In both cases, lofty reputations look to be well earned.

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For Basque-born jockey Ioritz Mendizabal, the Covid-19 pandemic has been both a blessing and a curse. Last July, when travel restrictions meant that neither David Egan nor Frankie Dettori could make the trip to Chantilly, he won his first Classic aboard Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club for Britain's champion trainer John Gosden.

Mendizabal's good season continued when he rode Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) to victory in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet for James Fanshawe, but he was then prevented from travelling to Keeneland to ride her in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf after testing positive for Covid. The now-suspended Pierre-Charles Boudot picked up the winning ride on Audarya in America, but fortune swung back in Mendizabal's favour when Ireland's champion Aidan O'Brien came calling on Friday for him to take the ride on St Mark's Basilica. 

“Winning the Guineas is fantastic,” the jockey told Jour de Galop. “But you cannot know the emotion of even having your name in the same line in the race card as Aidan O'Brien. He is the best trainer in the world. I knew I was going to ride St Mark's Basilica on Friday at 2pm and it was extremely satisfying that Aidan O'Brien called on me.”

Wow Takes A Bow

In his short racing career, The Wow Signal (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), an early star of the now-defunct Ascot Breeze-up Sale, went from winning an Ayr maiden to success in the G2 Coventry S. and G1 Darley Prix Morny, to finishing last in the G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and then out. 

His stud career was similarly short-lived. From covering 40 mares at Haras de Bouquetot in 2017 and 12 the following season, The Wow Signal's poor fertility meant that he had only 15 registered foals in France before he died from laminitis in the spring of 2018.

From a family which includes Shadwell's Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Ta Rib (Mr Prospector), The Wow Signal now has his own posthumous winner of that same race despite his seriously limited opportunities. Coeursamba (Fr) was bred by three members of the Mestrallet family, including Julie Mestrallet, who consigns at the French sales under the name of her Haras de l'Aumonerie. She owns only two broodmares, with the Quesnay-bred Marechale (Fr) (Anabaa), the dam of Coeursamba, being the first bought by Mestrallet from a claiming race in the French provinces. 

When The Wow Signal won the Coventry he was following something of a Royal Ascot tradition for his sireline. His sire Starspangledbanner won the G1 Golden Jubilee S. on his second start for Aidan O'Brien after moving from the Australian stable of Leon Corstens, and in turn his father Choisir (Aus) had been the poster boy that opened the floodgates for Australian sprinters heading to the Royal meeting, having won both the King's Stand and the Golden Jubilee back in 2003.

Starspangledbanner was also famously subfertile in his early years at stud but a combination of patience and good management has seen him continue his stallion career while remaining popular with commercial breeders. 

He too was represented among the stakes winners over the weekend when the Fozzy Stack-trained juvenile Hermana Estrella (Ire) landed the G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies' Sprint S. on debut, with the horses in behind her including favourite Contarelli Chapel (Ire) (Caravaggio), who had earned a TDN Rising Star for her own impressive debut success three weeks earlier.

Bred by Mark and Aisling Gittins at Castlefarm Stud from The Last Sister (Ire), a daughter of the Gittins family's G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Lord Shanakill, Hermana Estrella had been sold as a foal for just 2,500gns. She transpired to be a profitable pinhook for Timmy Hillman of Castledillon Stud, who resold her as a yearling for £42,000 to her trainer and Hubie de Burgh at last year's relocated Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale.

The family has worked well with that sireline in the past as The Last Sister's half-sister Lady Springbank (Ire) is a dual Group 3-winning daughter of Choisir. Hermana Estrella may now be given her own chance at Royal Ascot in the G3 Albany S.

Snowfall On The Knavesmire

We usually expect to see something special at York in the spring and indeed both formal Classic trials threw up decent winners. Galileo was the broodmare sire of yet another European Classic winner at ParisLongchamp on Sunday and he could yet chalk up further success in this realm in the coming weeks with Snowfall (Jpn), who was highly impressive in winning the G3 Tattersalls Musidora S. Like Saxon Warrior (Jpn) before her, she is bred on the Deep Impact (Jpn)-Galileo cross. Her mother fell somewhat short of her lofty name of Best In The World (Ire), and in fact she herself finished last in the Musidora in 2016. She did, however, later collect the G3 Give Thanks S. As a full-sister to Arc winner Found (Ire) and a daughter of Group 1 winner Red Evie (Ire) (Intikhab), Best In The World of course had plenty to recommend her, and her first foal is now second-favourite behind stablemate Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) for the Cazoo Oaks.

The Dante meeting also proved to be a highly successful one for trainer Ed Walker, who has a crack sprinter on his hands in Starman (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}). The 4-year-old is still lightly raced and has been beaten just once in his five starts for owner/breeder David Ward, who bought his dam Northern Star (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale for €50,000 through Ed Sackville. She won just once but has already produced two stakes performers with her first two foals. Sadly, the mare died after producing a Kingman (GB) filly, named Lodestar (GB), in 2018.

Northern Star's first foal, Sunday Star (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), is a dual winner with multiple stakes placings, including finishing third in the G3 Summer Fillies' S. at York last season. Starman is smarter still and now has two Group 1 sprint entries at Royal Ascot.

Sackville also did Ward a favour when selecting Primo Bacio (Ire) at Tattersalls October Book 1 two years ago from her breeder Kildaragh Stud. A winner last December on her fourth start for Walker, the daughter of Awtaad (Ire) has taken major strides forward in her 3-year-old season and, following a first-up fourth in the G3 Fred Darling S., she now has bold black type thanks to her three-length win in the Oaks Farm Stables Fillies' S., which is run in memory of the late racing journalist Michael Seely.

Primo Bacio's victory not only completed a double for Walker and Ward, but also initiated a stakes double last week for her Derrinstown Stud-based sire Awtaad. Both she and the Sir Edmund Loder homebred Bellosa (Ire), who won the listed Betway King Charles S. at Newmarket on Saturday, are members of the Irish 2000 Guineas winner's first crop, as is last season's Leopardstown winner Ebeko (Ire). The latter was subsequently exported to California, where she won the listed Zuma Beach S. for trainer Peter Miller.

Rising Stars Of The Stud Ranks

There has been plenty of activity in the European first-season sires' table over the last week. Overbury Stud's Ardad (Ire) doubled his tally of winners to eight, with Beautiful Sunshine (GB) and Superior Force (GB) among those to have added to the impressive run for the partnership of trainer George Boughey with Amo Racing and breeze-up consignor/pre-trainer Robson Aguiar.

The National Stud duo of Aclaim (Ire) and Time Test (GB) both got off the mark on Saturday, with Aclaim's first winner, Cachet (Ire), another breeze-up graduate trained by Boughey, being awarded a TDN Rising Star for her Rowley Mile debut.

Galileo Gold's first winner, Ebro River (Ire), struck at Doncaster on Saturday and, appropriately, the colt is trained by Galileo Gold's former trainer Hugo Palmer in the colours of his former owner Al Shaqab Racing, and was bred by Tally-Ho Stud, where the 2000 Guineas winner now stands.

Ribchester (Ire) was another freshman to be represented by a TDN Rising Star in the last week in the form of Gisburn (Ire), the facile winner of a Newbury maiden on Friday for Richard Hannon and owners Michael Kerr-Dineen and Martin Hughes. He is likely to head next to the Coventry S. 

Meanwhile at the head of the table presently on progeny earnings is Ribchester's fellow Darley sire Profitable (Ire). His four winners include the Gavin Cromwell-trained Quick Suzy (Ire), who was runner-up to the aforementioned Hermana Estrella in the Group 3 at Naas on Sunday. Events at Royal Ascot will surely bring further clues as to the prowess of the latest crop of young stallions.

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Bought for 1.3million gns at the Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale, St Mark's Basilica was introduced over six furlongs at The Curragh and caught the eye when second in late July. Back over the same course and distance for the G1 Phoenix S. a fortnight later, he attracted notable support into 7-2 favouritism despite his inexperience. While unable to meet such lofty expectations at that stage of his career, the bay was nevertheless a respectable fifth behind Lucky Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and went back over the same track and trip to shed his maiden tag on soft ground later that month. Third behind Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Wembley (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) upped a furlong for the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. back there in September, he again had his favoured cut underfoot when upstaging that duo in the Dewhurst in October.

Due to the turning nature of this Classic and the effect of the draw, there can sometimes be hard-luck stories but there was very little to suggest that St Mark's Basilica was not clear-best in this renewal with few excuses for the beaten horses in behind. Now that the first leg of the Poulains-Jockey Club double is in the bag, Aidan O'Brien could target the second at Chantilly June 6 but is also considering the June 15 G1 St James's Palace S. “He has an option to go to Ascot, or go back for the French Derby,” he said. “The original plan was that he would go there and back for the French Derby. He's been working lovely and you saw the way he progressed through last year. They all couldn't go to Newmarket and when he was to go to France last year, we said we'd stick that way.” Poetic Flare's jockey Kevin Manning was not entirely sure why the 5-2 favourite failed to fire and said, “I got a lovely position, but he just didn't pick up for whatever reason. Maybe it's ground-related, I don't know.”

Colosseo was the surprise package of the race, with the maiden's best form coming when second to Parchemin (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in Deauville's Listed Prix Isonomy in October and third in what has turned out to be a key course-and-distance conditions event won by Breizh Eagle last time Apr. 22. Trainer Gianluca Bietolini said, “I've always liked this horse, but he was not quite at ease on the all-weather this year and wasn't quite ready last time, still being a little bit too heavy. I was certain I had a great chance when I saw him in the paddock today, because he was fit and the ground was not as bad as I thought it would be. I just didn't know about the foreign horses, but it was a great performance especially considering he didn't quite stay the mile. He's a horse that likes very, very soft ground. He's an atypical US-bred! Seven or seven and a half would be better for him, so I'll talk to his owners and make a plan.”

The Senonnes-Pouance-based trainer Joel Boisnard said of Breizh Eagle, “He ran freely during the race, but ran a blinder despite his inexperience. He's a colt on an upward curve and one that is going to progress still. He needs to sharpen up and I think he will be kept to a mile. The ground didn't bother him, but he will certainly be even better on good ground. In his last piece of work at Senonnes, you could see that he was grinding away on those parts of the track which were soft.”

Picked up for 600,000gns out of the 2011 Tattersalls December Sale by BBA Ireland's Adrian Nicoll, Cabaret usually spends her time at Norelands Stud. However, the dual Classic producer is currently billeted at Hazelwood Stud where she foaled a Kingman (GB) colt this spring. She is back in foal to that Juddmonte resident.

As outlined, St Mark's Basilica is a half-brother to the G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Futurity Trophy hero Magna Grecia, with the G3 Silver Flash S.-winning dam Cabaret a half to the G3 Solario S. scorer Drumfire (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and the stakes scorer Ho Choi (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) who was also runner-up in the G2 Gimcrack S. The third dam Fife (Ire) (Lomond), who was third in the Listed Lupe S., is also the second dam of the G3 Park S. winner and G1 Moyglare S. runner-up Ugo Fire (Ire) (Bluebird). This is the family of the GI Hollywood Turf Cup hero Frenchpark (GB) (Foolshome) and the G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Pearly Shells (GB) (Efisio {GB}). Cabaret's as-yet unraced 2-year-old full-brother to St Mark's Basilica is named Paris Lights (Ire), while she also has a colt foal by Kingman (GB).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
EMIRATES POULE D'ESSAI DES POULAINS-G1, €600,000, ParisLongchamp, 5-16, 3yo, c, 8fT, 1:40.15, vsf.
1–ST MARK'S BASILICA (FR), 128, c, 3, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: Cabaret (Ire) (GSW-Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Witch of Fife, by Lear Fan
3rd Dam: Fife (Ire), by Lomond
(1,300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Robert Scarborough (FR); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ioritz Mendizabal. €342,840. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 2yo Colt-Eur, G1SW-Eng & G1SP-Ire, 6-3-1-1, €671,656. *1/2 to Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 7-9.5f & MG1SW-Eng, $597,769. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Colosseo, 128, c, 3, Street Boss–Alluvial Gold (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). ($52,000 Ylg '18 KEESEP). O-Albert Frassetto, John d'Amato & Richard Marini; B-T/C Stable LLC (KY); T-Gianluca Bietolini. €137,160.
3–Breizh Eagle (Fr), 128, c, 3, Bow Creek (Ire)–Breizh Touch (Fr), by Country Reel. O-Gerard Augustin-Normand, Mme Roland Perron & Haras des Evees; B-Haras des Evees & Daniel Cherdo (FR); T-Joel Boisnard. €68,580.
Margins: 1 3/4, SNK, HD. Odds: 4.10, 80.00, 13.00.
Also Ran: Policy of Truth (Fr), Parchemin (Ire), Poetic Flare (Ire), Normandy Bridge (Fr), Sealiway (Fr), Prince Lancelot (GB), Easter (Fr), Mehmento (Ire), Summiter (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Fanshawe’s Pegasus Stables welcomed home Alison Swinburn’s Filly & Mare Turf winner Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) on Thursday and, while she will soon be off on her winter holiday, she will return to training next year following a season which also included victory in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet in August.

“She got back safely and she’s been out in the playpen,” reported Fanshawe from quarantine in Newmarket on Friday. “She will be turned out on Monday at Fittocks Stud with The Tin Man.”

The trip to Kentucky was the first experience of the Breeders’ Cup for Fanshawe and his wife Jacko, whose wild cheering as Audarya hit the front in the home stretch were captured on television and splashed across social media.

“I could have killed the cameraman who caught us during the last few furlongs but I do think it shows just what it means to us,” he said. “The way Audarya stuck her head down and was so tenacious, she wanted to win. I’ve never had so many texts, emails and letters after a race. It has been really great and I’m very grateful for that because this year, with Covid, everything has been very different. But at the Breeders’ Cup, with Kevin [Ryan] winning the Sprint, and maybe because of the circumstances of the lockdown and lots of people watching on TV, they really got behind us. The whole week there was real camaraderie among the Europeans. We were all away from home together and we won four of the turf races. It was brilliant.”

The Breeders’ Cup victory was a major addition to a tally of big-race wins of significant breadth. While some trainers can easily be categorised, it would be hard to put Fanshawe in a pigeonhole, except to say that a hallmark of his fine record, both on the Flat and over jumps, is a commodity that is all too rare in today’s racing world: patience.

From Group 1-winning sprinters Frizzante (GB) (Efisio {GB}), Society Rock (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and The Tin Man (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) to crack miler Soviet Song (Ire) (Marju {Ire}), top-class stayers Invermark (GB) (Machiavellian) and Arctic Owl (GB) (Most Welcome {GB}) and two Champion hurdlers in Royal Gait (GB) (Gunner B {GB}) and Hors La Loi (Fr) (Cyborg {FR}), Fanshawe has masterminded the careers of horses across all distances and codes. He has had a decent share of smart fillies among them. Indeed, when Audarya leapt from winning a Newcastle handicap to landing the Jean Romanet at Deauville, it was the third time in seven years that the Group 1 contest had fallen to a horse from his stable. Elite Racing Club’s Ribbons (GB) (Manduro {Ger}) got the ball rolling in 2014, followed two years later by Meon Valley Stud’s Speedy Boarding (GB) (Shamardal).

“In the past when we’ve had a good filly, I’ve always tried to get the first race of the season right, or go somewhere not too ambitious to start with,” Fanshawe said.

“I’d be lying if I said at the beginning of the season that I thought this would be where we’d end up. But we started Soviet Song in the same Kempton listed race as Audarya, the Snowdrop Stakes, and Soviet Song was second and then she ended up winning three Group 1 races that year. So that’s always been a race that I like to start the season with for an older filly, but it was a very hot race this year, won by Nazeef (GB).”

He continued, “Because it was a late start to the season everyone was short of somewhere to have their first run and it was quite close to Ascot. Audarya was eighth, she got no run but ran a very good race, much better than the final result suggested.

“She was showing me all the signs at home but I never asked her too many questions because I’m trying to keep her relaxed all the time, rather than finding out how good she is. We knew she was good, and she has told us exactly how good in the end. It has been a gradual progression.”

Few horses experience completely unhindered progression, however, and following the Snowdrop, a sixth-place finish in a listed contest at Pontefract required a step back out of stakes company as Fanshawe and his team regrouped.

“I don’t know what happened at Pontefract but it rained and the race got away from her, she just never got into it and it was just a disaster,” the trainer recalled.

“We felt we just needed to get her back on track and forget about any group or listed races. She was rated 99 and there was an attractive race at Newcastle. We wanted to get her back up to a mile and a quarter on a nice galloping track. After she won that the only two next potential group races were the Atalanta S., which was back to a mile again, or the Jean Romanet, which was a mile and a quarter and for 4-year-olds and upwards. They were both on the same day so we went to France.”

In hindsight, there were plenty of Breeders’ Cup clues on offer from Audarya’s second French trip this year when she was third in the G1 Prix de l’Opera, won by subsequent Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal). Clearly, Fanshawe is no stranger to travelling with his horses, and beyond Europe he has had success in Canada with EP Taylor S. winner Wandering Star (Red Ransom) and Canadian International runner-up Dandino (GB) (Dansili {GB}), while he has also had two fifth-place finishers in the Melbourne Cup. Even so, he still called upon his former boss Sir Michael Stoute before his trip to Keeneland.

He said, “I went to see Michael just for a refresher and to go over the preparations and what he thought was best, just in case I hadn’t thought of anything.”

The two drawbacks to an otherwise successful venture were Alison Swinburn being unable to travel to America and Ioritz Menidazabal, who rode Audarya to victory at Deauville, testing positive for Covid prior to the meeting and thus being forced to hand the reins to ‘super-sub’ Pierre-Charles Boudot.

“Alison has two in training here and is involved in most of our Fred Archer syndicate horses. She’s been a great supporter,” Fanshawe said of the daughter of former trainer and successful owner-breeder Peter Harris. “Her father is still extremely enthusiastic and they were watching the race together. I spoke to Ioritz afterwards and he said he felt fine even though he had tested positive. It’s a terrible shame but it’s great news that Audarya is coming back into training next year. She has improved all year this year and she has plenty of scope, so it’s really good that Alison has decided to keep her in training.”

The year has also marked a changing of the guard at Pegasus Stables. Fanshawe’s former assistant trainer Kevin Philippart de Foy has left after a four-year stint to start his own training operation on the opposite side of Newmarket, leaving that role open for Fanshawe’s son Tom, who returned from Australia earlier this year, where his experience included a stint working for Newmarket ex-pat Matt Cumani.

“Kevin was obviously a big help and now he’s setting up on his own,” said Fanshawe. “Tom has been involved here since he was a teenager really but he’s recently spent two years in Australia and it’s done him the world of good. He’s very keen to learn and he’s working really hard.

“But we have a really good team, with the head lads Andy Hopkins and Alex Cairns, and Janet Anderson, who runs everything. Daniel Muscutt was really helpful to Audarya in her early days, he got her racing properly. Geoffroy de la Sayette rides her every day and he went out to Kentucky with her, so it really is a big team effort.”

He added, “We haven’t got the biggest string in the town but hopefully when we get a good one we can make sure they fulfil their potential.”

It’s a fact with which anyone who has been following the versatile Fanshawe stable over the last 30 years will certainly agree.

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