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

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

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

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

𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗮 (@mickaelbarzalon / @GraffardRacing / @AgaKhanStuds) brille dans le Prix de la Grotte (Gr.3) à @paris_longchamp

Elle succède à 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝘾𝙚𝙣 au palmarès de cette épreuve

Minoushka (@CYLerner)
Tulipa Chope (S. Wattel) pic.twitter.com/0vmc222ZMO

— Equidia (@equidia) April 14, 2024

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

The post Frankel’s Candala Burns Bright At ParisLongchamp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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

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

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

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

The post Calandagan Outpoints Noailles Rivals in Paris appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“I thought she brought the best form into the race, so I was confident and she's strengthened up so much from two to three,” Hernon said. “Quite a lot of Montjeu comes through in her via Camelot, so I was impressed with how much she relaxed and settled through the race. We haven't turned any screws yet, so I think there is quite a bit of progression to come. I would imagine she'll come back here for the [G1] Prix Saint-Alary and her owner has entered her in the Oaks, but I entered her in the Irish Oaks and July might be the time to step her up to a mile and a half.”

“I had it in my head all winter that she would go Vanteaux-Saint-Alary-Diane and then the Irish Oaks if we wanted to go a mile and a half. She'd be best on good-to-soft, but she wouldn't want it too firm. We've got the right to dare to dream with her and she was very well named by Mr Lee. We always thought that she was going to take us to the top table and I think today she's proved that she can. Mr Lee was born and raised in Epsom, but he lives in Hong Kong and he didn't want to come for her first run knowing that she was only 80 per-cent fit. He'll be here the next time for sure.”

Pedigree Notes
Dare To Dream's dam, the dual listed-placed Debutante (Fr) (Gold Away {Ire}), is kin to three pattern-race winners including the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. heroine Danedream (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}) and the G3 Chester Vase S. winner and G1 Grand Prix de Paris-placed Venice Beach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). From the family of the G1 Prix Vermeille-winning champion Indian Rose (Fr) (General Holme) and sires Vert Amande and Le Nain Jaune (Fr), she is also connected to last year's G1 Criterium de Saint Cloud third Illinois (Ire) by Venice Beach's sire who was third in Sunday's Ballysax. Debutante's 2-year-old filly by Sea The Stars (Ire) was a €260,000 purchase by Sumbe at Arqana Deauville October, while she also has a yearling filly by Zelzal (Fr).

Rentrée probante pour 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗼 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 (A.Pouchin) !

La pouliche de Gavin Hernon s'adjuge l'Al Shira'aa Racing Prix Vanteaux (Gr.3) devant Almara et Survie.

La fille de Camelot avait montré d'évidents moyens à 2 ans, se classant quatrième du Prix d'Aumale (Gr.3). pic.twitter.com/v8Ii5JOqXm

— Equidia (@equidia) April 7, 2024

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
AL SHIRA'AA RACING PRIX VANTEAUX-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-7, 3yo, f, 9fT, 2:00.58, vhy.
1–DARE TO DREAM (FR), 126, f, 3, by Camelot (GB)
1st Dam: Debutante (Fr) (MSP-Fr), by Gold Away (Ire)
2nd Dam: Danedrop (Ire), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Rose Bonbon (Fr), by High Top (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€67,000 Ylg '22 ARQOCT). O-Dun Shing Lee; B-Ecurie des Monceaux, Meridian International SARL & Scuderia Waldeck SNC (FR); T-Gavin Hernon; J-Alexis Pouchin. €40,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Ire, 4-2-0-1, €68,500. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Almara (Fr), 126, f, 3, Almanzor (Fr)–Molly Mara (Ger), by Big Shuffle. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€10,000 Ylg '22 ARQOCT). O/B-Zied Ben M'Rad (FR); T-Carlos & Yann Lerner. €16,000.
3–Survie (Ire), 126, f, 3, Churchill (Ire)–Sotteville (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Franklin Finance SA (IRE); T-Nicolas Clement. €12,000.
Margins: 2, 3HF, 4. Odds: 9.20, 11.00, 4.90.
Also Ran: Molten Rock (Ire), Mlle Moliere (Ire), Blush (Ire), La Mandala (Fr), Around The World (Fr), Shiffrin (Ire), The First Dance (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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“He is obviously a very nice horse and it's nice to start the season like this,” Ferland said. “He had very good promise in his two runs last year and the target is the Prix du Jockey Club. We will see which route we take to get there depending how he comes out of this one. I have no doubt he will stay further, but the French 2000 [Poule d'Essai des Poulains] could be a possibility in between. We'll talk to the jockey to get his view and we'll decide in time. The ground is very testing, but he did it well and now he's proved he can go on this ground. He has trained well on the all-weather, so I have no worries about the ground in the future. He's probably a very good horse who can go on any ground.”

Ferland, who has recently relocated to Chantilly from La Teste de Buch, said of his move,”It was hard to organise and at the beginning of the year it was a bit difficult. I didn't have as many runners as I have done in the past, but we are trying to concentrate on quality more than on quantity and now everything is looking alright.”

Pedigree Notes
Atlast is out of the Listed Prix la Camargo runner-up Pitamore (More Than Ready), a daughter of the GIII Valley View S.-placed Pitamakan (Danzig) who also produced the G3 Prix de Barbeville-winning stayer Funny Kid (Lemon Drop Kid). From the family of the champion Althea (Alydar) which includes the GIII Sam F. Davis S. and GIII Runhappy S. winner Candy Man Rocket (Candy Ride {Arg}), she also has a filly foal by Blame.

Le Prix la Force (Gr.3) revient à 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 !

Plus revu depuis son succès à Chantilly le 12 octobre, le pensionnaire de Christophe Ferland s'est imposé avec autorité.

La casaque Wertheimer & Frere a remporté quatre des six dernières éditions de cette épreuve. pic.twitter.com/doHjGimqiy

— Equidia (@equidia) April 7, 2024

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX LA FORCE-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-7, 3yo, c/g, 9fT, 2:05.13, vhy.
1–ATLAST (FR), 128, c, 3, by Farhh (GB)
1st Dam: Pitamore (SP-Fr), by More Than Ready
2nd Dam: Pitamakan, by Danzig
3rd Dam: Vantive, by Mr. Prospector
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (FR); T-Christophe Ferland; J-Maxime Guyon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, €66,500. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Mondo Man (GB), 126, c, 3, Mondialiste (Ire)–Moghrama (Ire), by Harbour Watch (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€30,000 2yo '23 ARQMAY). O-Ecuries Serge Stempniak , Pia Brandt & Nils-Petter Gill; B-Elwick Stud (GB); T-Pia & Joakim Brandt. €16,000.
3–First Look (Ire), 128, c, 3, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Bilissie (GB), by Dansili (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€340,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Ecurie Ama.Zingteam; B-Haras de la Perelle (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. €12,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 3/4, HD. Odds: 5.70, 11.00, 7.90.
Also Ran: Saganti (Fr), Sunway (Fr), De Sica (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Patiently ridden off the tempo in sixth for the most part, the 8-5 favourite eased forward off the home turn and lengthened clear in taking fashion once quickening to the fore at the furlong pole to easily account for Godolphin's Kind Of Kiss (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) by an impressive 3 1/2 lengths.

“Delius is a nice horse, who will develop into a good middle-distance prospect,” commented trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. “The more we advance through the season, the better he will be. He quickened really nicely and won well, so that is most encouraging.”

Delius is the ninth of 11 foals and fifth scorer produced by a full-sister to Listed Chesham S. victrix Whazzat (GB) (Daylami {Ire}), herself the dam of G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest runner-up and dual Group-winning sire James Garfield (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). Descendants of his second dam Wosaita (GB) (Generous {Ire}), herself a half-sister to G1 Prix de Diane-winning matriarch Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), also include multiple Grade I-winning US champion and GI Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Uni (GB) (More Than Ready). The February-foaled bay is a full-brother to multiple Group-placed Listed Wolferton S. winner Juan Elcano (GB) and a half to G3 Hoppings S. victrix Nkosikazi (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). He is also kin to a 2-year-old filly by Sea The Moon (Ger) and a yearling filly by Kingman (GB).

1st-ParisLongchamp, €27,000, Mdn, 4-7, unraced 3yo, c/g, 10 1/2fT, 2:25.34, vhy.
DELIUS (GB), c, 3, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Whatami (GB), by Daylami (Ire)
2nd Dam: Wosaita (GB), by Generous (Ire)
3rd Dam: Eljazzi (Ire), by Artaius
Sales history: 675,000gns Wlg '21 TATFOA. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. *Full to Juan Elcano (GB), SW & MGSP-Eng, $175,305; and 1/2 to Nkosikazi (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), GSW-Eng. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Mr & Mrs David Brown (GB); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro.

The post Frankel’s Delius Attains TDN Rising Star Status In Paris appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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It is in that early Derby pointer that Rosegreen's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud third Illinois (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and impressive course maiden-winning TDN Rising Star Ocean Of Dreams (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) look to add to the stable's Blue Riband team taking on Vimal Khosla's G2 Beresford S. winner Deepone (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) from the Paddy Twomey stable.

“He has a five-pound penalty for his win in the Beresford S. last season, but we're looking forward to running him on Sunday,” Twomey said. “I think stepping up in trip will play to his strengths, I think a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half should be well within his compass.”

Leopardstown also stages the seven-furlong G3 Ballylinch Stud “Red Rocks” S., where Ballydoyle again have two fascinating maiden winners in Samuel Colt (Ire) (No Nay Never) and The Liffey (Ire) (No Nay Never). Both have to meet the standard set by the G3 Killavullan S. one-two Atlantic Coast (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Bright Stripes (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}).

The fillies take part in the G3 Ballylinch Stud “Priory Belle” S., where Ballydoyle's course-and-distance maiden winner Buttons (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) is the pick of Ryan Moore tackling Deepone's unbeaten stablemate A Lilac Rolla (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}).

It was in August at The Curragh when A Lilac Rolla managed to upstage the subsequent G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Opera Singer (Justify) and Twomey is hoping that she can restart where she left off. “She beat a very good filly in Opera Singer, she's wintered well and is ready to start,” he said. “The ground conditions may not be ideal, but she's in a good place and this is a good starting point for the season ahead.”

At ParisLongchamp, Guy Pariente,Thomas Lines and Qatar Racing's G1 Criterium International hero Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) returns in the nine-furlong G3 Prix la Force. Trainer David Menuisier said, “It is famous last words, but the ground shouldn't be an issue. It will be hard on the horses, but we feel ours goes on it quite good and the trip shouldn't be a problem, so we go there quite positive. Later down the line, we would like to aim at the Prix du Jockey Club, but we need to take races one by one, obviously. We could drop back in trip to run in one of the Guineas or we could go up in trip to run in a Derby trial next month. It will all depend on what happens this weekend and what Oisin and the owners think–and then we will take it from there.”

Also over that trio is the G3 Al Shira'aa Racing Prix Vanteaux for the fillies, where the Head Family's nine-length Saint-Cloud winner La Mandala (Fr) (City Light {Fr}) is tested against some proven peers, while the feature is the G2 Prix d'Harcourt where Ecurie Jean-Louis Bouchard's G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}) takes on Gousserie Racing's multiple group winner and G1 Champion S. third Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}).

The post Classic Dreams In The Balance On Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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13.45 Leopardstown, Mdn, €15,000, 3yo, f, 8fT
WINGSPAN (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a notable newcomer from Ballydoyle, as the second foal out of the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. and G1 Matron S. heroine Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) from the illustrious family of Hermosa (Ire) and The United States (Ire). She encounters a dozen peers, including Diane Nagle, Susan Magnier and Linda Shanahan's fellow debutante It'sonlyjustbegun (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), a Jessie Harrington-trained half-sister to the G3 Prix d'Arenberg-placed Flaming Princess (Ire) (Hot Streak {Ire}).

13.58 ParisLongchamp, Debutantes, €27,000, 3yo, c/g, 10 1/2fT
QUANTUM MECHANICS (IRE) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) starts out for Flaxman Stables and Pascal Bary, who combined with his G1 Prix du Jockey Club-winning half-brother Study Of Man (Ire) by Saxon Warrior's sire Deep Impact (Jpn). He meets two Jean-Claude Rouget trainees in Gilles Forien's homebred Royal Cadeau (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}), a half-brother to the Derby hero Wings Of Eagles (Fr) (Pour Moi {Ire}); and Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Coolmore and Westerberg's 675,000gns Tatts December Foal Sale graduate who is a half-brother to the listed scorer and multiple group-placed Juan Elcano (GB).

The post Daughter Of Hydrangea Debuts At Leopardstown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Kieran Lalor, Al Shira'aa Racing's bloodstock and racing manager, said, “We are delighted to come on board as sponsor of the Group 3 Prix Vanteaux. It is a very important prep race for the Classics and one we hold dearly having won it in the past with Rumi and Jannah Rose, both trained by Carlos Laffon Parias.

“Sheikha Fatima Bin Zayed Al Nahan [founder and owner of Al Shira'aa Racing] was very happy about this opportunity and it is a nice way for us to give back to French Racing, which has been so good to us in the past. We would like to thank the team at France Galop and ParisLongchamp for the opportunity and look forward to continuing this partnership into the future. Now we need to find our next filly to compete for us in this race.”

Guillaume de Saint-Seine, president of France Galop, added, “We are very proud to welcome Al Shira'aa Racing into the fold of partners who sponsor important racing events in the French racing calendar. The decision of its owner Sheikha Fatima Bin Zayed Al Nahan to support the race, once more shows the attractiveness of our racing program.

“An owner and breeder, she is an internationally renowned figure in the racing industry and very well known in France. On behalf of everyone involved, I wish her all the best and success for the upcoming season.”

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“We are very happy and the big question was the ground, because he has never run on that kind of surface,” the owner-breeders' racing manager Pierre-Yves Bureau said of the gelding, who had warmed up for this by winning the track's G2 Prix Chaudenay on Arc weekend. “We knew the horse had that quality, but he was the only three-year-old facing older horses who have much more experience than him, so what he did was very nice and we are very happy. He is a gelding, so hopefully he can travel as well but we are going to enjoy what happened today because it was a really nice performance.”

On a weekend when Japanese breeding and racing was proving unequivocally at the forefront internationally, this was the icing on the cake. Improving with every move up in trip, Double Major was making marked progression from his second in this track's G3 Prix Gerald de Geoffre in August when upstaging Moyglare Stud's equally exciting 3-year-old Harbour Wind (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the Chaudenay. This race has been known as the “French St Leger” and with that in mind Double Major's win represents a double for sons of Sunday Silence, as Heart's Cry's Continuous (Jpn) had taken the season's St Leger at Doncaster.

Annihilated them! Double Major delivers a remarkable performance to win the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at @paris_longchamp… pic.twitter.com/rrJoi6LBUe

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 29, 2023

Pedigree Notes
Double Major's listed-placed dam Dancequest is also responsible for the G3 Prix de Guiche winner and G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano and G2 Prix Eugene Adam-placed Flop Shot (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), as well as the listed-placed Veritas (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). She is kin to the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroone Plumania (GB) (Anabaa) and the G2 Prix de Royallieu scorer Balladeuse (Fr) (Singspiel {Ire}), who each proved leading producers for the operation. Balladeuse was responsible for the G1 Prix Vermeille winner Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and this year's TDN Rising Star Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) who was runner-up in the recent G3 Prix des Reservoirs, while Plumania's quartet of black-type performers are headed by the G2 Prix du Muguet scorer Plumatic (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and she is also the second dam of the G1 Prix Saint Alary-placed Solsticia (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}).

Others to feature in this illustrious dynasty are the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning sire Falco, the G1 Prix Lupin hero and leading sire Groom Dancer, fellow sires Slew The Slewor and Tagel and the G1 Prix Vermeille-winning champion Indian Rose (Fr), the G1 Prix Ganay hero Vert Amande (Fr) and the G1 Grand Prix de Paris victor Le Nain Jaune (Fr). There is also a Japanese champion sprinter and miler in Kinshasa No Kiseki (Aus) (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}). Dancequest's unraced 2-year-old filly by Lope De Vega (Ire) is named Tyra (GB), while she also has a yearling filly by Dubawi (Ire) named Rooba (Ire) and a colt foal also by Lope De Vega named Vegetarien (Ire).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX ROYAL-OAK-G1, €350,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-29, 3yo/up, 15 1/2fT, 3:35.89, hy.
1–DOUBLE MAJOR (IRE), 128, g, 3, by Daiwa Major (Jpn)
     1st Dam: Dancequest (Ire) (SP-Fr), by Dansili (GB)
     2nd Dam: Featherquest (GB), by Rainbow Quest
     3rd Dam: Featherhill (Fr), by Lyphard
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Wertheimer et Frere (IRE); T-Christophe Ferland; J-Maxime Guyon. €199,990. Lifetime Record: 9-4-4-0, €385,690. *1/2 to Flop Shot (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), GSW-Fr, $264,611; & to Veritas (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), SP-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Skazino (Fr), 130, g, 7, Kendargent (Fr)–Skallet (Fr), by Muhaymin. (€22,000 Ylg '17 ARQOCT; €150,000 RNA HRA '19 ARQARC). O-Gousserie Racing; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Patrice Cottier. €80,010.
3–Tashkhan (Ire), 130, g, 5, Born To Sea (Ire)–Tarziyna (Ire), by Raven's Pass. (€11,000 2yo '20 GOFAUT). O-Mr P Boyle; B-His Highness the Aga Khan's Studs SC (IRE); T-Brian Ellison. €40,005.
Margins: 7HF, 3/4, 2HF. Odds: 3.30, 11.00, 5.70.
Also Ran: Al Nayyir (GB), Diva Donna (Fr), Galego Star (Fr), Metier (Ire), Novel Legend (Ire), Bubble Gift (Fr), Haya Zark (Fr), The Good Man (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Royal Oak Glory For Daiwa Major’s Double Major appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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With the likes of the G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil winner The Good Man (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}), the Cesarewitch H. third Tashkhan (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}) and dual listed winner Al Nayyir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Double Major will have to be every bit as progressive as he looked earlier this month, but as a relative of the likes of Plumania (GB) (Anabaa) and Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) the pedigree gives him a big leg-up.

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