“I am happy, very happy,” said winning trainer Andreas Schutz. “I am happy for the horse, happy for the owner and happy for the jockey. It looks like a mile is his best trip and it was the owner who suggested bringing him back to a mile, so it was a good decision. I was very happy with his run in the Jockey Club, but it looked like the distance was too much for him. He's entered in the [Apr. 1 G3] Prix Edmond Blanc [over this course and distance] and then we'll have to see. I would like to see him back in Group 1 company at some stage this season, but there's no fixed plan yet.”

Marhaba Ya Sanafi, half to a yearling colt by Hello Youmzain (Fr), is the fourth of six foals and one of two scorers produced by an unraced half-sister to G2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial and G3 Ballysax S. placegetter Fergus McIver (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). The March-foaled bay's G3 Noblesse S.-winning second dam Danelissima (Ire) (Danehill) is out of the dual stakes-winning Zavaleta (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}), herself a daughter of stakes-winning matriarch La Meilleure (Ire) (Lord Gayle). Descendants of Zavaleta include G1 Dewhurst S.-winning sire Intense Focus (Giant's Causeway) and G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy).

Thursday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX ALTIPAN-Listed, €52,000, Saint-Cloud, 3-7, 4yo/up, 8fT, 1:49.68, vhy.
1–MARHABA YA SANAFI (IRE), 126, c, 4, Muhaarar (GB)–Danega (GB), by Galileo (Ire). O-Jaber Abdullah; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Andreas Schutz; J-Mickael Barzalona. €26,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 10-4-1-1, €624,160.
2–Topgear (Fr), 126, h, 5, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Miss Lech, by Giant's Causeway. (€200,000 Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Hisaaki Saito; B-Snig Elevage (FR); T-Christopher Head. €10,400.
3–American Flag (Fr), 126, c, 4, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Tres Americanqueen (Fr), by American Post (GB). (€102,000 Ylg '21 ARQAUG). O-Malcolm Parrish; B-Chevotel de la Hauquerie (FR); T-Yann Barberot. €7,800.
Margins: 1 1/4, 2, SHD. Odds: 2.80, 1.70, 2.40.
Also Ran: Half Half (Fr), Russipant Fal (Mor), Arcandi (Ger), Breizh Eagle (Fr). Scratched: Anthorus (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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The group of breeders is comprised of Jean-Pierre Dubois and several generations of his family, Haras des Capucines, Haras de Saint-Pair, and several others. Sheikha Hissa will retain half of the shares in the stallion, and the syndicate will be managed by Capucines Bloodstock, with Puerari at the helm.

A Shadwell homebred, Muhaarar was champion sprinter of 2015, when he won the G1 Commonwealth Cup, G1 July Cup, G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and G1 British Champions Sprint S. as a 3-year-old. He began his career at Shadwell's Nunnery Stud, beginning at a fee of £30,000. He was moved to Haras des Faunes after the death of Sheikh Hamdan in a two-year arrangement.

“He started at Shadwell, and the first two years, he was so popular it was impossible to get a season,” said Puerari. But after a relatively slow start at stud, and the death of Sheikh Hamdan, Shadwell accepted an offer from Faunes. The stallion has been very hot the past two years, and after breeding 54 mares at Faunes in 2022 at a €5,000 fee, he covered 124 in 2023 at a €7,500 fee.

“Last year, he had an exceptional year and when you look at his statistics, he's boxing way above his weight for a horse who stood this year for an advertised stud fee of €7,500,” said Puerari. “Last year, he had an amazing percentage of stakes winners per runners. His numbers are very good. He's been kind of a forgotten horse.”

In 2023, Muhaarar has been represented by Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire), the winner of the G1 French Guineas, who went on to be third in the G1 French Derby, and Cicero's Gift (GB) an undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' through his first three starts before missing in the G1 St. James's Palace S.

His recent top runners demonstrate his versatility. 'TDN Rising Star' Be Your Best (Ire) was second in the GI Del Mar Oaks at nine furlongs on the turf on Friday; Run To Freedom (GB) was second in the six-furlong G1 July Cup on July 15; three days earlier, 'TDN Rising Star' Israr (GB) won the G2 Princess of Wales's S. at twice that distance; and this spring at Santa Anita, Motorius won the GIII San Simon S. at 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

“He does tend to produce horses who stay, which is strange for a sprinter, because he's by Oasis Dream (GB),” said Puerari, “but when you look at Oasis Dream's pedigree, there's a lot of staying blood. We think he really fits a niche that we don't have in France in the €10,000-€15,000 range. For example, this year when Mishriff got hurt, after Intello, Galiway, Goken, and few others, there's not much. Not many people are going to travel to England and Ireland to breed for €10,000. So I think he should be very popular.”

Muhaarar will travel from Bordeaux to Normandy this coming week, where he will be available for breeders' inspection.

“He gets good-looking stock and he is himself a very good-looking horse,” he said. “He's a very well balanced horse. He's mid-sized. Very dark bay, no white. He's very handsome horse, with a beautiful head.

“We'll decide on his stud fee later. We'll wait for the end of the year and put him at a fee where people won't try to negotiate, because he'll be good value.”

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“Goodwood was a sort of disappointment having been the target, but with the ground conditions she just didn't relish that at all,” the Stud's Chris Richardson said. “Frankie made his move to come to the rail and his injection of pick-up was short lived in those conditions. Conditions in France look to have dried up. I think John and Thady were happy with the fact Frankie was kind to her once her chance was gone at Goodwood. Of course there is always a slight concern, but we know she's talented, she's only had two races this year and they tell me she's in a good place. There should be plenty of pace and we will let the filly do the talking. She was kept in training to race on and that's where we are at this point.”

Inspiral was unable to get past Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot, but the times show that she had a stiff task attempting to come off that pace and Karl Burke's surprise winner has to do it all again with inevitable pace pressure from Yeguada Centurion SL's Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}). That G3 Prix de Guiche and G3 Prix la Force winner has no meaningful form at this mile trip, but he represents the red-hot G1 Prix du Jockey Club form and is a fascinating contender.

Hisaaki Saito's Good Guess (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) is two-for-two over this straight course this season, but at seven furlongs having mastered the G3 Prix Djebel and G1 Prix Jean Prat and has stamina to prove. He was sixth behind Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains over ParisLongchamp's round mile in May, but has developed markedly in the interim and is from a family of smart milers. Good Guess is joined by the fellow Fabrice Chappet-trained G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who is making a welcome return to action this term as he gears towards the middle-distance tests of late summer and the autumn.

Jaber Abdullah's Marhaba Ya Sanafi, who has subsequently finished six-lengths third in the Prix du Jockey Club, is one of two representatives for the owner alongside the G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Irish 2000 Guineas-placed Hi Royal (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) who is on a retrieval mission. His assistant racing manager Philip Robinson said of the pair, “This race brings out all the top horses, but our two are there and will have some kind of shout if at the top of their game. I think they will both run good races and won't be far away, but they are going to have to find a little bit better and improve a bit to win. Marhaba Ya Sanafi has got form over a mile, but I think the French Derby is his better form.”

A Renewed London In Berlin?
Sunday also sees the G1 Westminster 133rd Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten, with Godolphin's promoted G1 St Leger second New London (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) tackle the Haras de la Perelle and Stephane Wattel's four-times group winner Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) in the 12-furlong feature. Given a wind operation after his disappointing return third in the Listed Fred Archer S. at Newmarket at the start of July, New London needs to catch up now so deep into the season. “New London has definitely come forward since his first start of the year at Newmarket,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “We have been pleased with him going into this and he showed during his three-year-old campaign that he is a talented campaigner.” Last year's G1 Deutsches Derby and G1Grosser Dallmayr-Preis winner Sammarco (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Eckhard Sauren and Liberty Racing 2020's G2 Grosser Hansa-Preis winner Assistent (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) appear the pick of a smart home team in another intriguing top-level European encounter between the Arc underdogs.

Hot Action Continues At Deauville…
Sunday also sees the 10-furlong G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron, where Al Shaqab Racing and Ballylinch Stud's G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Place Du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) bids to get her season started in earnest, while the juveniles get their chance in the G3 Circus Maximus Prix Francois Boutin over seven furlongs. Godolphin's Doncaster maiden winner Majestic One (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) adds spice from the Charlie Appleby stable successful twice in the last six years along with Qatar Racing Limited's six-furlong debut course scorer Evade (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) from the Andre Fabre stable. Tuesday's G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano will only serve to ramp up the excitement, as Gousserie Racing and Ecuries Serge Stempniak's G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) was among eight confirmations revealed on Saturday for the 10-furlong feature. Aidan O'Brien has declared the returning GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}).

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Preceding his black-type breakthrough with impressive early-season wins at Cagnes-sur-Mer and Bordeaux-Le Bouscat, the 19-2 chance extended trainer Jean-Claude Rouget's record to six wins in the contest after defeating 17-10 favourite Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) by an impressive 3 1/2 lengths. The trainer has now won five of the last eight renewals while jockey Cristian Demuro, also victorious aboard Rouget's Brametot and Sottsass, improved his tally to three. The winning time of 2:02.63 was a new standard for the race, going under Sottsass's previous best by 0.27 seconds.

Ace Impact employed patient tactics from flagfall and settled several lengths off Big Rock's tempo in 10th with 'TDN Rising Star' Padishakh (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) the only rival in arrears. Making smooth headway on the bridle in the straight, he was stirred into action passing the quarter-mile marker and powered off into the distance once swooping to deprive Big Rock of control with 100 metres remaining. Christopher Head's long-time leader was safely clear of the remainder, with G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) running on well from off the pace to finish 2 1/2 lengths further adrift in third. Rising Stars filled three of the next four spots with the supplemented Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}) fourth, Epictetus (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) fifth and Padishakh seventh.

“We've always liked him, I call him 'Monsieur Sans Souci' and he really is without a care in the world,” said Rouget. “I've never had any problems with him, apart from the fact that he managed to sport a winter coat in the middle of summer. We gave him all the time he needed as I saw something in him when he made his debut at Cagnes-sur-Mer this year. He sprouted wings in the straight that day, just like he did today. He's a very good colt and we thought he was good, but he needed to prove it. I think having three races under your belt prior to running in the Jockey Club is a good thing, but just two races is cutting it a bit fine. When Sottsass ran I didn't believe he was up to it, because of the ground, and yet he blew us away. Just like Ace Impact did today. Sottsass was exceptional, capable of winning on any ground, and Ace Impact has proved that he's very good. I'm very happy to see the colours of a French owner win the race.”

Looking ahead, but without committing to immediate targets, the trainer added, “He's entered in the [G1] Eclipse [at Sandown], but we'll mull matters over first. He has the profile for the [G1] Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as he has both the physique and the stride pattern. I'd prefer him to run on good ground, like all good horses, but he should be able to emulate Sottsass and be capable of winning on both fast and heavy ground. There are races for him before the Arc and his future programme has not yet been established. Obviously, we are tempted [by the Arc].” Rouget also indicated his other runners Padishakh (7th) and Rajapour (10th) ran too freely and shall revert to shorter trips in the future.

The Also Rans
Connections of the vanquished paid homage to the spectaular nature of Ace Impact's demonstration and were in largely positive mood in the aftermath. Big Rock's trainer Christopher Head was first out of the blocks and admitted, “Big Rock caught a tartar today, but he ran his race and his performance was really very good. Ace Impact looks to be a lot better than Big Rock and the winner did something exceptional. With the pace we set during the race, the bar was set pretty high and I'm very happy with Big Rock's effort.”

Andreas Schutz was a degree lower on the satisfaction gauge and reflected, “I was very happy with his physical condition going into the race, but unfortunately the race didn't go as we'd planned. We thought he'd be closer to the pace. He was a little intimidated when racing amongst horses in the peloton and, when the gaps came his way, he really picked up. He's already won the race [Poule d'Essai des Poulains] we were aiming at, so this is a bonus.”

Pascal Bary feels 'TDN Rising Star' Feed The Flame is not yet the finished article and needs more time to develop. “Ace Impact was impressive, but Feed The Flame lacked a bit of maturity and race experience and he's a colt who still needs to learn,” the trainer said. “When he made his move in the straight, he quickened really well. But, when Christophe Soumillon asked him for extra, he perhaps showed us that the track was a bit too fast for him. I also think that the first and second are better than him. He'll be better on a slightly softer track and will continue to learn his trade. We'll see how he comes out of the race, but the [July 14 G1] Grand Prix de Paris is a possibility.”

Almost never satisfied in defeat, John Gosden had a positive outlook when dissecting the performance of fellow Rising Star Epitectus. “He had a good run and picked up well,” he said. “He had third place in his sights for a long time and only gave in at the very end. It was a good performance.”

Pedigree Notes
Ace Impact becomes the first Group 1 winner for his second-crop sire (by Frankel {GB}) and is the leading performer out of the Listed Berenberg Cup runner-up Absolutly Me (Fr) (Anabaa Blue {GB}). Absolutly Me has also produced Listed Grand Prix de la Riviera Cote d'Azur runner-up Alessandro (Fr) (Australia {GB}), Listed La Coupe de Marseille third Apollo Flight (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and the unraced 2-year-old cold Arrow Eagle (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}). Absolutly Me is the leading performer out of a half-sister to the stakes-winning GII Santa Barbara H. runner-up Mabadi (Sahm), herself the dam of the dual Group 3-placed Listed Prix Omnium II and Listed Criterium de l'Ouest victor Salai (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}). Ace Impact's third dam Barakat (GB) (Bustino {GB}), who is from the family of MG1SW distaffer Red Bloom (GB) (Selkirk), is kin to MG1SW G1 Irish St Leger hero Ibn Bey (GB) (Mill Reef) and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Roseate Tern (GB) (Blakeney {GB}).

Sunday, Chantilly, France
QATAR PRIX DU JOCKEY CLUB-G1, €1,500,000, Chantilly, 6-4, 3yo, c/f, 10 1/2fT, 2:02.63 (NSR), gd.
1–ACE IMPACT (IRE), 128, c, 3, by Cracksman (GB)
1st Dam: Absolutly Me (Fr) (SP-Fr & Ger), by Anabaa Blue (Ire)
2nd Dam: Tadawul, by Diesis (GB)
3rd Dam: Barakat (GB), by Bustino (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€75,000 Ylg '21 ARQAUG). O-Ecuries Serge Stempniak; B-Mme Waltraut Spanner (IRE); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro. €857,100. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, €911,100. *1/2 to Apollo Flight (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), MSP-Fr, $139,492; and Alessandro (Fr) (Australia {GB}), SP-Fr, $111,837. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Big Rock (Fr), 128, c, 3, Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire)–Hardiyna (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (FR); T-Christopher Head. €342,900.
3–Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire), 128, c, 3, Muhaarar (GB)–Danega (GB), by Galileo (Ire). O-Jaber Abdullah; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Andreas Schutz. €171,450.
Margins: 3HF, 2HF, 3/4. Odds: 9.50, 1.70, 9.00.
Also Ran: Feed The Flame (GB), Epictetus (Ire), Flight Leader (GB), Padishakh (Fr), Continuous (Jpn), American Flag (Fr), Rajapour (Ire), Winter Pudding (Fr). Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Introduced this year by Head in this track's Prix du Chene des Trois Freres handicap on the Polytrack in February, Big Rock has hardly had a customary build-up to this 10 1/2-furlong Classic since leaving Mathieu Brasme. As he subsequently bulldozed his way through the Listed Prix Maurice Caillault again on the Polytrack here in March, ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix la Force in April and the G3 Prix de Guiche which has come to serve as Chantilly's course prep for this, no rival has come within respectable distance to him at the finish.

For Head, the journey from that day in February to a potential second stable Classic has been a surprising and remarkable one.

“He takes his racing so easily and his last piece of work was much better than the ones he did before his prep races,” he said this week. “There is the question of the distance, but we know that his powers of recovery have been good racing over 1800 metres and we'll soon find out. My relationship with Aurélien Lemaître stems from the days when he rode for my father and we've always had a very good rapport, but we never thought we'd get this far. It's incredible. I'm delighted to be having this adventure alongside him.”

The Flame Still Flickers

Pascal Bary knew all about how to win the old “French Derby” when it was run over the true Derby trip of a mile and a half, collecting five renewals including the last staged over that distance in 2004. He has one of the new re-modelled versions courtesy of 2023's first-season sire Study Of Man (Ire) and looks for a second via Jean-Louis Bouchard's unbeaten TDN Rising Star Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}). He was supplemented following his defeat of the subsequent G3 Prix Hocquart winner First Minister (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and fellow TDN Rising Star Silver Crack (Fr) (Cracksman {GB}) in ParisLongchamp's Prix de Ferrieres over slightly further than this trip in April, a race which stands up to any inspection as a valid trial despite lacking black-type status.

“When it came to entering our horses in the Prix du Jockey-Club, I never envisaged Feed The Flame

coming under orders,” Bary admitted. “He's physically an impressive colt and, in common with many horses with his physique, he has taken time to find his feet and the penny dropped very late in his case. He is familiar with Chantilly racecourse, as he trained there before his debut and he made a return trip there last Tuesday. I've tried to give him enough time between his initial first two races and the Jockey Club, even if he won without having to force his talent in them.”

Pursuing The Classic Double

Since the Jockey Club trip was shortened in 2005, four colts have completed the double after taking the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Jaber Abdullah's Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) bids to follow suit on contrasting ground. Trainer Andreas Schutz is happy that he will stay and said, “The longer trip will perhaps help him. I'm very happy with the way he's developing, both mentally and physically.” Behind that peer in the ParisLongchamp Classic was the disappointing favourite American Flag (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who is bred to stay this trip and who may have an ace up his sleeve. “In the lead-up to the French 2000 Guineas, we were too laid-back,” trainer Yann Barberot said of Malcolm Parrish's G3 Prix de Fontainebleau winner. “The longer trip can only be a plus for American Flag and he has every chance. In his last piece of work, he was in a relaxed frame of mind–he can be a bit of a rascal, but he is very focused and very diligent.”

The Rouget Triumvirate

It is never wise to rule out a runner from Jean-Claude Rouget's stable, but in truth only one of his three-strong representation this time is unexposed and that is Serge Stempniak's Listed Prix de Suresnes winner Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}). Talked of in glowing terms following that impressive success over 10 furlongs at this circuit, he is the pick of Cristian Demuro but Rouget is keeping faith with the beaten Prix de Guiche runners Padishakh (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a TDN Rising Star, and Rajapour (Ire) (Almanzor {GB}). “You have to draw a line under the last performances of Padishakh and Rajapour in the Prix de Guiche, as the ground was too testing for them,” he said.

Classic Action At Dusseldorf

Sunday also sees the G2 Wempe 103rd German 1000 Guineas at Dusseldorf, where Godolphin's Dream Of Love (Ire) (Shamardal) will be a warm order bringing 1000 Guineas form to the party. Her form with that Classic's heroine Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) in Dubai and with Friday's Oaks third Caernarfon (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) in last year's Listed Montrose Fillies' S. sets the standard. Mohamed Saeed Al Shahi's G2 Prix du Calvados winner Wed (Fr) (Profitable {Ire}) needs to bounce back to that form after two off-the-board efforts, which also applies to the pick of the home team on paper, Gestut Fahrhof's G3 Zukunfts-Rennen-winning TDN Rising Star Habana (Ger) (Kingman {GB}).

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Meanwhile, in France, a final field of 11 has been declared for Sunday's €1,500,000 G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly. The cast is headed by Jaber Abdullah's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), who has drawn post four. TDN Rising Star and supplementary entry Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}) has been allocated stall six. There was good news for connections of likely favourite Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), with Yeguada Centurion's homebred sensation drawn in two.

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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.

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Unleashed out wide to take command a furlong from home, the 9-10 favourite was soon clear and could again coast to the line for a comfortable 2 1/2-length verdict over Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) as Rajapour (Ire) (Almanzor {Fr}) surrendered his unbeaten record a short neck away in third. “It could be that I can finally train the top horse I have been dreaming of,” Barberot said. “This is why we wake up every morning. He has a lovely temperament and does everything easily and it all starts from there.”

American Flag will be one of the leading French runners in the upcoming Classics here and at Chantilly and his trainer added, “I have never pushed him hard, this was not a target and I wanted to keep something in the tank for the major races to come. First, it will be the [May 14] Poule d'Essai des Poulains and then the [June 4 Prix du] Jockey Club if he shows us that he can stay. The only answer I don't have yet is which ground he prefers. He has always run on soft or very soft, so good is a question mark.”

Pedigree Notes
American Flag, who was a €102,000 purchase at the 2021 Arqana Deauville August Sale, is out of a daughter of the dual group-placed Tres Ravi (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) whose six black-type performers include the aforementioned Tres Blue who was also runner-up in the G1 Deutsches Derby. She also produced Tres Blue's G2 Prix de Royallieu-placed full-sister Tres Rapide (Ire), who is the second dam of the G2 Prix Eugene Adam and G3 Prix Exbury winner and G1 Prix Ganay runner-up Pretty Tiger (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and the G3 Prix Thomas Bryon runner-up Pretty Boy (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). Tres Americanqueen's 2-year-old colt American Thunder (Fr) is by Night Of Thunder (Ire).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE FONTAINEBLEAU-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-16, 3yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:44.64, hy.
1–AMERICAN FLAG (FR), 128, c, 3, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
     1st Dam: Tres Americanqueen (Fr), by American Post (GB)
     2nd Dam: Tres Ravi (Ger), by Monsun (Ger)
     3rd Dam: Tres Magnifique (GB), by Gay Fandango
1ST GROUP WIN. (€102,000 Ylg '21 ARQAUG). O-Malcolm Parrish; B-Chevotel de la Hauquerie (FR); T-Yann Barberot; J-Christophe Soumillon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, €89,900. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire), 128, c, 3, Muhaarar (GB)–Danega (GB), by Galileo (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Jaber Abdullah; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited (IRE); T-Andreas Schutz. €16,000.
3–Rajapour (Ire), 128, c, 3, Almanzor (Fr)–Raydara (Ire), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire).
1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-H H Aga Khan; B-His Highness The Aga Khan's Studs S C (IRE); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €12,000.
Margins: 2HF, SNK, 2HF. Odds: 0.90, 7.90, 1.90.
Also Ran: Maniatic (Ire), Royal Shake (GB). Scratched: Halfway Line (GB), Victoria Road (Ire). Video, sponsored by TVG.

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