Prix de Diane | Horse Racing Free Tips

“This Is The Hundred-Year Anniversary” – Pensee Du Jour A Significant Winner

The Prix de Diane is the main aim for Thursday's impressive Saint-Cloud winner Pensee Du Jour (Ire), according to Anthony Stroud, who manages the interests of the Camelot (GB) filly's owners, Ballymore Thoroughbreds.

Carrying the silks of owner-breeder Diane Wildenstein, Pensee Du Jour made all of the running to win the Rose De Mai S. by seven lengths, with Stroud explaining the significance of the victory shortly afterwards.

He said of the 'TDN Rising Star', “Funnily enough, they [the Wildenstein family] started out in racing back in 1923 so this is the hundred-year anniversary-it's a very significant year.”

The significance does not end there. Pensee Du Jour hails from a deep family that has been nurtured for generations by the Wildensteins. The homebred is from the family of the outstanding Peintre Celebre, who carried Daniel Wildenstein's colours to a host of big-race successes, including victory in the 1997 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Group 1 targets now await Pensee Du Jour, who made it two wins from as many outings on Thursday, and will warm up for a tilt at the Prix de Diane by running in the G3 Prix Penelope back at Saint-Cloud next month.

Stroud said, “She is potentially very good–a nice filly. Hopefully, depending on how she comes out of this race, she will run in the G3 Prix Penelope in three weeks. The ultimate aim is the Prix de Diane.”

Asked why Pensee Du Jour did not run as a 2-year-old, he replied, “She is a big filly and was a bit backward last year. As well as that, the ground was quite hard last summer, so we just took our time with her.

“She couldn't have won any easier today–we just wish the races were a bit faster for her and that there was more pace in the race. Otherwise, she wouldn't have to make her own running.”

Diane Wildenstein was in attendance at Saint-Cloud to witness Pensee Du Jour make light work of her rivals and confirm herself a top-notch prospect.

Stroud continued, “The filly hasn't done it yet, she still has to go and do it, but everyone works so hard–the people at the stud and in the racing stables–to produce good racehorses. “Everyone who is into breeding and racing racehorses, that's what their aim is, and that's what we are in this game to do.”

He added, “It's a combination of an awful lot of hard work from an awful amount of people. She couldn't have done more than she's done and we'll find out a bit more on the next step.”

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Bradley Buys Majority Of La Parisienne

Promising filly La Parisienne (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) will be taking some new owners along for the ride during her 3-year-old campaign, with the Kentucky-based Peter Bradley having purchased 70% of the Yann and Carlos Lerner-trained filly on behalf of a racing partnership. The news was first reported by Jour De Galop. The remainder of the filly, who won her lone start at Deauville on Dec. 10 by five lengths, is owned by Marc Leonetti, JML Racing and Meridian International.

“La Parisienne broke her maiden exceptionally well, so we think she has potential,” said Bradley. “The next couple of races will tell us how much potential she has. She's running in a conditions race on Apr. 5 at Saint-Cloud over 2100 metres, and we'll look at the [G3] Prix Cleopatre if she runs well there and the [G1] Saint-Alary and [G1] Prix de Diane if she is that calibre. She's by a hot freshman sire in Zarak and she looks to have quite a bit of quality. Her time in her maiden race [1:57.55 for 1900 metres] was exceptional and we're cautiously optimistic that she might have a lot of quality.”

Bradley said that the current plan is for La Parisienne, who cost the Lerners €65,000 at Arqana's Deauville Select Yearling Sale in 2020, to join Chad Brown in the U.S. later this year. If she proves to be among the best of her generation, however, those plans may have to be reconsidered.

“Our group would like to run her over here [in the U.S.] through the remainder of the year,” he said. “If you happened to be the best filly in France, which is somewhat delusional at this point, you'd have to look at your options over there. She's bred to go 10 to 12 furlongs and we all know the weight allowances those fillies get in races like the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe are exceptional. But I'd hate to even dream like that right now.”

Bradley is no stranger to trading in European bloodstock, but he said La Parisienne is currently the only horse he has in training in France.

“We're branching out,” he said. “We have a great group of people and it was an opportunity to have a horse over there and maybe have a trip or two to France if it all comes together. Racing is about having fun and she's one that could give us that opportunity.”

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Burgarita Poised For Diane Challenge

Chantilly on Sunday is the place to be, with the customary high fashion and regalia accompanying a fascinating card featuring the G1 Prix de Diane Longines. As usual, Andre Fabre is the first port of call and it seems at present that his unbeaten Burgarita (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) could be the one to start favourite in a wide-open edition, having impressed with two performances at ParisLongchamp. In the first, Ecurie Ama Zingteam's relative of the 2001 Diane heroine Aquarelliste (Fr) (Danehill) beat the re-opposing Khalidiya (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}), while next time she was able to dismiss another who meets her again here in Natsukashi (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) in the 11-furlong Listed Prix de la Seine May 16. Drawn 14, the bay will have to be every bit as good as she has looked to overcome that handicap.

Khalidiya, who has since beaten the subsequent Listed Prix Melisande scorer Jannah Flower (Ire) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) in a 10-furlong maiden also at ParisLongchamp May 20, bids to provide The Aga Khan with an eighth win in this Classic and has fared well with the draw in six. Trainer Alain de Royer Dupre said, “We've had no problems with her preparation. The filly seems to be in really good shape. We have tried to bring her on in condition with her racing and she is not far off her peak. She has benefited from a similar campaign to [the 1999 winner Daryaba], but they aren't entirely similar fillies. Daryaba was fairly laid-back, whereas Khalidiya is more on her toes and, therefore, far more reactive.”

De Royer Dupre is a master with these types and looks for a seventh renewal, but is wary of testing ground. “To prepare for these big races, I find it easier to handle horses which have previously contested races in which they haven't had to force their talent,” he explained. “Before she saw the racecourse, I really thought she was something special. She was one of my best fillies. Soft ground would be a big disadvantage, as her physique isn't compatible when it comes to acting on muddy tracks. Ground which is too fast could also prove problematic, so good ground would be ideal. She is by Oasis Dream and his progeny aren't reputed to be soft-ground performers. Khalidiya takes after her mother [the 2015 G3 Prix de Royaumont winner Kataniya (Ire) (Raven's Pass)], even if she has more speed than her.”

Fabre's other runner is Godolphin, Ecurie des Monceaux and Ecurie Skymarc Farm's Philomene (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who bids to go one better than her half-sister Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) who was runner-up to the outstanding Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) in the 2013 renewal. Successful in the G3 Prix Penelope over this trip at Saint-Cloud Apr. 6, she was sixth and beaten under three lengths in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp May 16 and Godolphin's Lisa-Jane Graffard said, “Philomene comes into this race well and Andre Fabre feels that she has progressed since the Pouliches. The going is a slight question mark, as we would prefer good ground but she is ready to perform well and do her best.”

With Gerard Augustin-Normand's May 24 G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Incarville (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) drawn widest of all in 18, she will have to be extra special to defy that and there is a train of thought that suggests that Yeguada Centurion SL's 'TDN Rising Star' Sibila Spain (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was unlucky not to win that contest. Hampered en route to finishing strongly in fourth, the Christopher Head trainee is also wide in stall 15 and early tactics will be fascinating to witness where she is concerned.

Between Incarville and Sibila Spain in the Saint-Alary was the runner-up Cirona (GB) (Maxios {GB}) and third Es La Vida (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) and both have leading claims again. Cirona, who was previously successful in the G3 Prix de la Grotte over a mile at ParisLongchamp Apr. 18, represents Ecurie Waldeck and trainer Christophe Ferland is confident. “All lights are flashing green. She is indifferent to the state of the ground. The forecast rainy spell will hold no terrors for her,” he said.

Es La Vida is one of two arrows fired by Francis-Henri Graffard alongside Gemini Stud's Sweet Lady (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who was fourth behind Coeursamba (Fr) (The Wow Signal {Ire}) in the Pouliches. “Sweet Lady has had a fair amount of time between races since the Poule d'Essai, which has done her good,” he said. “I will be very happy to try her over a longer trip on Sunday. I think she will relish this, given her style of racing. Regarding the going, I just want it to be safe ground and not too firm, but if the thunderstorms and the rain materialize, it won't bother me, on the contrary. The owner of Es La Vida wishes to tackle the Diane. The filly is fine, so I agreed but with one proviso: it will have to rain. I believe that she's better over 1600 metres, but she is in good shape.”

The rest of Chantilly's card is intriguing, with the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac Longines over a mile featuring Roland Perron, Gerard Augustin-Normand and Haras des Evees' deeply promising Breizh Eagle (Fr) (Bow Creek {Ire}) who was third in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp May 16. Next up is the six-furlong G3 Prix du Bois Longines for 2-year-olds, with Peter Savill's unbeaten June 6 Listed Prix la Fleche winner Dizzy Bizu (Ire) (Caravaggio) setting the standard. She encounters a Wesley Ward runner in Stonestreet Stables' Apr. 23 Keeneland maiden special weight winner Napa Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).

In the G3 Prix Bertrand du Breuil Longines over a mile, Sabine Goldberg's unbeaten Jin Jin (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) bids to defy a penalty for her exploits in the G2 Badener Meile at Dusseldorf May 30. Awaiting her is another with a formidable record in The Aga Khan's Sagamiyra (Fr) (Sea the Moon {Ger}), who comes into this mile contest off a win in the seven-furlong Listed Prix Maurice Zilber at ParisLongchamp May 16. Mikel Delzangles saddles the homebred, who is connected to this week's G2 Norfolk S. winner Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}), and later on the card also puts forward Zak Bloodstock's May 24 G2 Prix Hocquart winner Bubble Gift (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the G3 Prix du Lys Longines. This mile-and-a-half contest is a trial for the July 14 G1 Grand Prix de Paris, so Andre Fabre's representatives demand close attention. Fitri Hay, Michael Tabor and Susan Magnier's Tides of War (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) captured the Coupe des 3 Ans at Lyon-Parilly May 9 and as a full-brother to Deauville (Ire) and The Corsican (Ire) can continue to go places.

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Sibila Spain To Be Supplemented To Diane

'TDN Rising Star' Sibila Spain (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) will be supplemented to the June 20 G1 Prix de Diane and will be the first Classic starter for trainer Christopher Head.

Head is the son of hugely successful jockey and trainer Freddy Head, while other members of the historic racing family include Freddy's sister Criquette and father Alec.

Sibila Spain was bred by Coolmore and races for Yeguada Centurion. She suffered her first career defeat when fourth, beaten a length, in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary on May 24, and looks to give her sire another Classic winner on the season following the Derby exploits of Adayar (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

“Sibila Spain will be supplemented for the Diane [a week on Sunday], that's for sure,” said Head. “I think she will have a leading chance. The filly is really good. The only question mark against her would be the [possible] good to firm ground.

Sibila Spain was a nine-length maiden winner at Saint-Cloud on Mar. 25 over heavy going and followed up with a conditions win at Lyon Parilly prior to the Saint-Alary.

“Her race at Lyon-Parilly was the only time that she had raced on anything nearing good ground, and we might not have seen the best of her,” Head added. “I can't think of any reason why she wouldn't handle this type of ground, however.”

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