Jean-Pierre Gauvin trainee Iresine (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}–Inanga {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) had earned money in each of his 14 prior starts and was last seen annexing the 12-furlong G2 Prix Foy, on Arc trials day, at ParisLongchamp in September. He returned to the Bois de Boulogne venue and was upped in trip for Sunday's G1 Prix Royal-Oak, the track's final pattern race of the season, and registered a career best by clear water with a display of force in the latter stages of the 15 1/2-furlong stamina test. The crowd's 21-10 choice employed patient tactics from the outset and raced off the tempo in ninth, with just one rival in the rear-view mirror, until well beyond halfway. Taking closer order inside the last half-mile, he made relentless headway under pressure in the home straight to lead with 300 metres remaining and surged clear of the valiant Search For A Song (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was making her final career start, in uncompromising fashion for a three-length triumph.
“There were some unknown factors beforehand and they centred mainly on his ability to handle such a trip for the first time and on heavy ground,” explained Gauvin. “Marie [Velon] gave him the perfect ride and, at halfway, I was relaxed to see him racing under cover and not too far behind. This horse is just so good and I'm suprised at what he can do every time he shows up. He shows more, he gives more and he's just unbelievable. With a gelding so lightly raced, there is a great temptation to travel. He has been invited to Japan, but will not go. Not that we are afraid of the competition, but because it is very often fast ground at that time of year. We will have a look at the [G1] Hong Kong Vase [in December] and, if he travels, that is where he will go. After that he will have a long break at the farm and he'll come back as strong, or stronger, next year.”
No More Encores
Dual G1 Irish St Leger heroine Search For A Song made a bold bid from the front once committed for home along the false straight, but rallied in trademark game fashion when headed to significantly reduce a large deficit nearing the line. Becoming a millionaire in her final outing, the 6-year-old homebred retires to the paddocks with a 21-5-6-2 record and earnings of €1,003,453. “This was her last race, she has run great and it was another cracking performance from her,” confirmed Dermot Weld. “It has been an honour to train her. She has won two Group 1 races and placed a number of times at this level. Hats off to the winner, he must be a very good horse.”
Pedigree Notes
Iresine, the second of five foals and half to a yearling colt by Chemical Charge (Ire), is the lone winner produced by Inanga (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), herself a full-sister to G3 Prix de Guiche and G3 Prix Daphnis runner-up In Chambers (GB). Inanga, who is also kin to the dam of G3 Sagaro S. second Earth Amber (GB) (Hurricane Run {Ire}), is a granddaughter of G3 Prix Vanteaux second Reve De Reine (Lyphard) Reve De Reine's leading lights are G3 Prix de Guiche victor Roi De Rome (Time For A Change) and G3 Prix Thomas Bryon third Rose De Thai (Lear Fan). Rose De Thai, in turn, is the dam of three black-type winners headed by G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial victor Truth Or Dare (GB) (Royal Academy). Iresine's MG1SW fourth dam Riverqueen (Fr) (Luthier {Fr}) is the ancestress of ill-fated G1 Prix Jean Prat-winning sire Rouvres (Fr) (Anabaa) and dual G1 Premio Presidente Della Repubblica hero Altieri (GB) (Selkirk).
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX ROYAL-OAK-G1, €350,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-23, 3yo/up, 15 1/2fT, 3:31.34, hy.
1–IRESINE (FR), 130, g, 5, by Manduro (Ger)
1st Dam: Inanga (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB)
2nd Dam: Cas Royaux, by Woodman
3rd Dam: Reve De Reine, by Lyphard
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€6,000 Ylg '18 ARQOCT). O-Bertrand Milliere, Ecurie Jean-Paul Gauvin, Christian Goutelle & Jean-Pierre Gauvin; B-Pierre Soyaux & Marie-Louise van Dedem (FR); T-Jean-Pierre Gauvin; J-Marie Velon. €199,990. Lifetime Record: 15-11-0-1, €474,090. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Search For A Song (Ire), 127, m, 6, Galileo (Ire)–Polished Gem (Ire), by Danehill. O/B-Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd (IRE); T-Dermot Weld. €80,010.
3–Sober (Fr), 122, c, 3, Camelot (GB)–Burma Sea (Fr), by Lope De Vega (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (FR); T-Andre Fabre. €40,005.
Margins: 3, 7, 3HF. Odds: 2.10, 6.70, 3.90.
Also Ran: Princess Zoe (Ger), Al Qareem (Ire), Big Call, Almacado Gree (Fr), Dillian (Ire), Rajinsky (Ire), Or Gris (Fr). Scratched: Night Tornado (GB), Jannah Flower (Ire). Video, sponsored by TVG.
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