Frankie Makes It Eight In The Jacques le Marois On Frankel’s Inspiral

It had to happen and thankfully it did. Frankie's final ride at Deauville was one for the memory store on Sunday, as one of the world's finest of all time engineered a super-smooth eighth victory in the G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois out of Cheveley Park Stud's Rolls Royce Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}–Starscope {GB}, by Selkirk). Showing why he is and has been so prominent in his trade for so long, the Italian judged the pace set by Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) to a tee as he anchored the Gosdens' 4-year-old in rear early.

Only delivered when it was necessary and not a second before, Inspiral was able to cruise to that G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up passing the furlong pole and was soon beyond recall for her own second edition. Surprisingly an 8-1 shot, perhaps because of doubts about her performance at a rain-soaked Goodwood and about the 11-day turnaround from the G1 Sussex S., she was in a class of her own here en route to a comfortable 1 1/4-length verdict over Yeguada Centurion's 2-1 favourite as last year's runner-up Light Infantry (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) again made the frame the same margin away in third.

This was also a remarkable fourth consecutive win for the Clarehaven-Dettori axis, with Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) having also brought up consecutive successes in 2020 and 2021. “She's a fantastic filly and this is my last race at Deauville, so to finish with a win like this is incredible,” the rider said. “I was very easy on her at Goodwood, as this was always the target and she showed what a true champion she is. I've won every race here and 19 group ones, so I have great memories–some wonderful days and wonderful nights!”

 

Even before she showed a distaste for the mud at Goodwood, Inspiral had failed to spark in Ascot's G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on similar ground with only a narrow defeat to Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot in between offering hope that she retained the kind of ability that had seen her dazzle in the G1 Coronation S. at the previous Royal meeting. This was categoric proof that she not only retained that level of proficiency, but can also be seen as a career-best as she left some of this year's mile Classic protagonists trailing as well as the impressive G1 Prix Jean Prat hero Good Guess (GB) (Kodiac {GB}).

While Big Rock was able to tick off regular sectionals of around 11.5 seconds until two out, the extra fuel that Frankie had saved throughout the first three furlongs served him well as the Head colt began to feel the pinch. Swallowing up his advantage with splits of 11.34, 11.08 and 11.36 between the four and the one, she was able to coast to the line with the high-class 3-year-old having used up all his speed. “She needs a good pace and not soft ground, and on her conditions she got to work today. When she's good, she's very good and this is the stuff of dreams,” Dettori added.

Gosden Sr is looking at the Breeders' Cup Mile for the winner and said, “To win this great race twice with Palace Pier, twice with this filly and of course with Kingman is a great honour and very special. I like it because it's run on a straight, flat and fair track and usually there are no hard-luck stories. Inspiral can be brilliant on her day and was pretty fresh–she's only run twice this year–and came here in top order.”

“She can grab the bridle and the pace was all on the far side, which worried us as she was drawn one but she's been given a great ride as she's ended up in stall 12 effectively and come around the long way in the end. She got left at Ascot and can play about when that happens. When Frankie took her to the front he looked after her and maybe we will take her to Santa Anita, even though it is a tight track for her.”

Christopher Head said of Big Rock, “He has run a very good race and been beaten by a better horse. There are no excuses and he ran big. There is no disgrace being beaten by this top filly and we'll stick to the plan and head to the [G1] Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.”

Pedigree Notes

Starscope, who was runner-up in the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S., had produced just the listed-placed middle-distance performer Celestran (GB) (Dansili {GB}) prior to Inspiral but has now delivered Cheveley Park with another illustrious runner in the red, white and blue. She is a daughter of Moon Goddess (GB) (Rainbow Quest), also the dam of the Listed Rosemary S. winner Solar Magic (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) but more importantly a half-sister to the operation's G1 Eclipse S. and G1 Juddmonte International-winning sire Medicean (GB). Also connected to the G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. winner Mondreise (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) and the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero and leading sire Caro (Ire), her 2-year-old colt by Siyouni (Fr) is named Megastar (GB), while she has a yearling son of Ulysses (Ire) and a 2023 full-sister to Inspiral to follow.

Sunday, Deauville, France
PRIX DU HARAS DE FRESNAY-LE-BUFFARD JACQUES LE MAROIS-G1, €1,000,000, Deauville, 8-13, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:36.62, g/s.
1–INSPIRAL (GB), 128, f, 4, by Frankel (GB)
      1st Dam: Starscope (GB) (MG1SP-Eng, $251,626), by Selkirk
      2nd Dam: Moon Goddess (GB), by Rainbow Quest
      3rd Dam: Mystic Goddess, by Storm Bird
O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Frankie Dettori. €571,400. Lifetime Record: Champion 2yo Filly-Eur, MG1SW-Eng, 10-6-2-0, €2,193,120. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Big Rock (Fr), 125, c, 3, Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire)–Hardiyna (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). O/B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (FR); T-Christopher Head. €228,600.
3–Light Infantry (Fr), 131, c, 4, Fast Company (Ire)–Lights On Me (GB), by Kyllachy (GB). (€25,000 Ylg '20 ARQDOY; £82,000 2yo '21 GOFTY). O-Never Say Die & Light Infantry Partnership; B-Barbara Moser (FR); T-David Simcock. €114,300.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 7.80, 2.10, 9.00.
Also Ran: Onesto (Ire), Triple Time (Ire), Erevann (Fr), Good Guess (GB), Angers (Fr), Hi Royal (Ire), Life In Motion (Ire), Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Tamayuz’s Simca Mille Too Good For Grosser Preis von Berlin Rivals

Haras de la Perelle's 4-year-old colt Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}–Swertia {GB}, by Pivotal {GB}), a three-time Group 2 scorer back home in France and unbeaten in four pattern races shy of top-flight company, made the breakthrough in his fourth attempt at Group 1 level with a decisive win–and a landmark for trainer Stephane Wattel–in an international renewal of Sunday's G1 Westminster 133rd Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten.

April's G1 Prix Ganay runner-up and June's G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly winner broke alertly from the outside stall, finding a modicum of cover after passing the judge first time, and was positioned within range of the leaders–headed by Godolphin's New London (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and dual Group 1-winning 2022 Deutsches Derby hero Sammarco (Ire) (Camelot {GB})–occupying a handy fourth out in the country. Powering forward out wide once into the straight, the 1-2 favourite inched ahead of last year's third Sammarco racing hard on the steel passing the quarter-mile marker and was ridden out inside the final furlong to easily withstand the late threat of 2021 G1 Deutsches Derby victor Sisfahan (Fr) (Isfahan {Ger}) by 3/4-of-a-length. Sisfahan's Henk Grewe stablemate and last term's sixth Assistent (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) ran on well to finish 2 1/4 lengths back in third. In a photographic quirk, Polish challenger Le Destrier (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}), New London and Lady Ewelina (GB) (Mukhadram {GB}) were in unison at the line and dead-heated for fifth.

“It is fantastic for the horse and, I have to admit, it's very nice for me because it's my first Group 1 after more than 30 years of training,” said an emotional Wattel in the aftermath. “I am so happy it happened here in Berlin with this fantastic crowd. It's a difficult job and sometimes it's tough, but when we train horses of this quality we can forget everything as this makes it all worthwhile.” Looking to the immediate future, the trainer tipped his hat to recent winners Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and added, “Simca Mille is engaged in the [G1 Prix de l'] Arc de Triomphe and some good winners of this race have run very well in that race. That should be the next target and it's a very big one.”

Rider Alexis Pouchin engaged celebratory mode early and allowed his mount to coast home in the dying strides before unleashing a joyful shadow punch across the line. “We had a great trip, he's a very good horse and found it quite easy in the straight,” he said. “I just kept him going and he responded well.”

 

Pedigree Notes
Simca Mille, who becomes the fourth Group 1 winner for his sire, is the first of three foals and lone scorer produced by a daughter of G3 Prix de Conde, G3 Prix Penelope and G3 Prix Cleopatre third Sanjida (Ire) (Polish Precedent). Sanjida is kin to three black-type winners headed by multiple Group 1-winning European champion Sarafina (Fr) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}), herself the dam of Group 3-winning siblings Savarin (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Geniale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Simca Mille, kin to the unraced 2-year-old filly Slawena (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), is from the family of G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Preis von Europa hero Sumayr (Ire) (Ela-Mana-Mou {Ire}).

Sunday, Hoppegarten, Germany
WESTMINSTER 133RD GROSSER PREIS VON BERLIN-G1, €155,000, Hoppegarten, 8-13, 3yo/up, 12fT, 2:34.24, gd.
1–SIMCA MILLE (IRE), 132, c, 4, by Tamayuz (GB)
1st Dam: Swertia (GB), by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: Sanjida (Ire), by Polish Precedent
3rd Dam: Sanariya (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€68,000 RNA Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Haras de la Perelle & Stephane Wattel; B-Haras de la Perelle (IRE); T-Stephane Wattel; J-Alexis Pouchin. €100,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & G1SP-Fr, 14-7-5-0, €610,840. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Sisfahan (Fr), 132, h, 5, Isfahan (Ger)–Kendalee (Fr), by Kendargent (Fr). (€16,000 Ylg '19 ARQNOV). O-Darius Racing & Michael Motschmann; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Henk Grewe. €30,000.
3–Assistent (Ger), 132, c, 4, Sea The Moon (Ger)–Anna Kalla (Ger), by Kalatos (Ger). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€58,000 Ylg '20 BBAGS). O-Eckhard Sauren & Liberty Racing 2020; B-Gestut Rottgen (GER); T-Henk Grewe. €15,000.
Margins: 3/4, 2 1/4, 3. Odds: 0.50, 17.20, 9.10.
Also Ran: Sammarco (Ire), *Le Destrier (Ire), *New London (Ire), *Lady Ewelina (GB).
*Three-way dead-heat for fifth.

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Grey Man Adds Lustre To Banner Weekend For Wootton Bassett In The Francois Boutin

Patrice Cottier trainee Grey Man (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Top Toss {Ire}, by Linamix {Fr}), successful in two of three prior outings, headed postward with crowd confidence for Sunday's G3 Circus Maximus Prix Francois Boutin at Deauville and returned to the winner's enclosure with a first black-type rosette having dominated late in the seven-furlong test.

The 6-5 favourite accepted a tow in second after breaking on the lead and settled into a comfortable rhythm through halfway. Looming large going well approaching the quarter-mile pole, he was beyond recall once wresting the initiative from Mythology (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) with 300 metres remaining and was easily on top in the latter stages as that rival rallied to finish one length down at the line. Listed Criterium du Bequet third Kumite (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) fared best of the remainder and finished six lengths back in third.

 

 

“We were convinced beforehand that the horse had a great chance,” said owner Jean-Philippe Dubois. “He had improved again from his last run and today it looked like he had the race won two out. He has won over 6 3/4 [furlongs], seven [furlongs] today and a mile last time, so he is quite versatile. For sure, he is a very good one. We shall see how he comes out of the race and then we'll decide what will be next. Right now I don't know, but there are plenty of opportunities.”

Grey Man had opened up with a June 3 debut score over 6 3/4 furlongs at Lyon Parilly and suffered a narrow defeat back there later in June before regaining the winning habit upped to one mile at Clairefontaine last month. His victory here adds lustre to a banner weekend for Wootton Bassett, whose Bucanero Fuerte (GB) hit the heights in Saturday's G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. at the Curragh.

Pedigree Notes
Grey Man, who becomes the 25th pattern-race winner for his sire, is the eighth of nine foals and one of four winners produced by G3 Prix d'Aumale and G3 Prix de Psyche victrix Top Toss (Ire) (Linamix {Fr}), herself out of Listed Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial winner Tossup (Gone West). The January-foaled bay is a half-brother to dual Group 3-winning G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and G1 Coronation S. second Lesstalk In Paris (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains runner-up Dastarhon (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and a yearling filly by Le Havre (Ire). He hails from the family of GI E P Taylor S. runner-up Tigertail (Fr) (Priolo) and his fifth dam Bold Consort (Bold Ruler) is a full-sister to US champion juvenile and leading sire Bold Lad.

Sunday, Deauville, France
CIRCUS MAXIMUS PRIX FRANCOIS BOUTIN-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 8-13, 2yo, 7fT, 1:26.36, g/s.
1–GREY MAN (FR), 126, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Top Toss (Ire) (MGSW-Fr, $240,020), by Linamix (Fr)
2nd Dam: Tossup, by Gone West
3rd Dam: Tovalop, by Northern Dancer
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€39,000 RNA Wlg '21 ARQDEC; €60,000 RNA Ylg '22 ARQOCT). O-Julien Dubois & Jean-Philippe Dubois; B-Ecurie Skymarc Farm (FR); T-Patrice Cottier; J-Marvin Grandin. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, €73,900. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Mythology (Ire), 126, c, 2, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Rely On Me (Ire), by Kyllachy (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (62,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT; 320,000gns 2yo '23 TATBRE). O-Michael Tabor, Mrs John Magnier, Derrick Smith & Teme Valley; B-E Smith & Cloneymore Farm (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €16,000.
3–Kumite (GB), 126, c, 2, Dark Angel (Ire)–Nawassi (GB), by Dubawi (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (100,000gns Wlg '21 TATFOA; €200,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Mme Erika Gilliar; B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (GB); T-Jerome Reynier. €12,000.
Margins: 1, 6, 4. Odds: 1.20, 7.60, 4.30.
Also Evade (Fr), Majestic One (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Deauville: “We Will Let the Filly Do the Talking.” Inspiral Bids for Marois Repeat

Twelve months ago, Cheveley Park Stud's Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was using Deauville's G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois as a springboard back to the big time having suffered a shock reversal in the G1 Falmouth S. This time around, the John and Thady Gosden-trained homebred is in Normandy attempting to make up for another defeat having been bogged down in Goodwood's unexpectedly tacky surface in the G1 Sussex S. As she had shown when disappointing in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on Champions Day, easy ground is not her thing and so the drying conditions ahead of Sunday offer a sense of relief to connections of the high-class filly.

“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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