VIA SISTINA sells for 2.7million gns at the #TattsDecember Sceptre Sessions

This mare is by Fastnet Rock and is the winner of the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes. She was consigned by Grove Stud and has been bought by Evergreen Equine. pic.twitter.com/l9kNHOuTLB

— TDN (@theTDN) December 5, 2023

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Last year's sale produced a number of standouts, including dual Group 1 winning 2-year-old Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) and G1 Pretty Polly S. winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Ire}), purchased for 42,000gns and 5,000gns, respectively.

Overall this year there are own or half-brothers and sisters to 41 Group and Listed winners catalogued and 27 yearlings out of Group and Listed-winning dams, including five Classic/Group 1 winners and the last yearling by the late Galileo (Ire) (lot 171) to sell at public auction.

Also among the offerings this year are 11 yearlings eligible for the £25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonus Scheme, which will increase from £20,000 to £25,000 in 2024, and 18 yearlings eligible for the £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction S., as well as four yearlings eligible for the €250,000 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction S. The catalogue also features 26 fillies already entered for the Great British Bonus and one lot qualified for French Owners' Premiums.

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “This year's catalogue has an abundance of quality, including the last ever yearling by the incomparable Galileo to be offered at public auction, as well as a large number of yearlings eligible for lucrative £25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonuses, the ever-popular £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes, and the well-established Great British Bonuses.”

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We all know that the imperative glorious farewell victory will come, but from where? Will it be a late gift from King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G1 Qipco Champion S., the key race of them all? Dettori will hope that it comes much sooner in the afternoon to release the enormous emotional pressure. There is the 2000 Guineas hero Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S., his old friend Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint, and the aptly-titled Free Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S. Away you go, Prospero.

Ahead of one of his biggest days in the saddle, the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame jockey is trying to hold it together. “I'll try to keep my emotions in check until after my last ride, but obviously all my friends and family will be there. I'm sure I'll shed a tear on the day, but at the moment I'm really trying to focus on the races and give my friends and family something to shout about on the day,” he said.
King Of Steel's trainer Roger Varian summed up the general feeling ahead of the rider's tumultuous farewell. “We're happy to have him on our horse on Saturday and on the big day, when the goggles come down, he's one of the very best there has ever been and the season he's had tells everyone he is still riding at the top of his game,” he said.

Adding to the sense of occasion is the fact that Dettori will sport the Godolphin royal blue he is most synonymous with as he partners the G2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup contender Trawlerman (Ire) by his renaissance horse Golden Horn (GB). Hugh Anderson, managing director of Godolphin, is keen to stress the import of the situation. “For Godolphin, Frankie Dettori has been a huge part of our history,” he said. “For my whole adult life–and I'm a little bit older than Frankie–he has been the top jockey or one of the top jockeys in this country and I think his contribution to the sport has been incalculable. I'm very pleased he is going to be wearing Godolphin blue on what is potentially his last Champions Day and we hope he does well.”

Paddington | PA Media

Ballydoyle Big Guns Are Rolled Out…

Despite the feeling of inevitability that things will ultimately fall his way, there are of course 52 reasons why Frankie won't ride a single winner and six of them are from Ballydoyle, with the TDN Rising Star Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) having been on the receiving end of Dettori's magic as he suffered a momentum-stopping defeat to Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Juddmonte International. Prior to that, he had hoarded the Irish 2000 Guineas, St James's Palace, Eclipse and Sussex and his role in a rich renewal of the QEII will tell us where he stands among the season's kingpins. If Paddington isn't a mortal lock, the yard's Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) could well be as he continues his improbable comeback from his well-documented strife in the Long Distance Cup.
Aidan O'Brien reflected on his key duo earlier this week. “Paddington loves racing and loves work–when you build up his work, he starts putting on weight and that's just the way he is,” he said. “He's a good strong traveller and quickens very well and handles all types of ground. He goes like a real miler, even though he's won over a mile and a quarter. I couldn't believe Kyprios made it back to any race really–I couldn't believe the day he went out of the parade ring at The Curragh he was actually there. He was just barely ready to run and we think he's made progress since then.”

Allez France?

While the feature Champion has been kind to France since moving to Ascot and the focus is understandably on Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) to cap a momentous autumn for Gousserie Racing, there is also the prospect of the QEII-bound Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) to keep Yeguada Centurion and Christopher Head in the big time that they have become accustomed to during the current campaign. Those keen to write off the latter after three excusable defeats will be well served to remember that he dismantled Horizon Dore in Chantilly's nine-furlong G3 Prix de Guiche when the ground was given as officially heavy. Patrice Cottier's emerging star has moved up in trip subsequently while Big Rock has gone the other way, so a sensational double for this Gallic pairing is not a far-fetched scenario.
Pauline Chehboub said of Horizon Dore in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf qualifier, “He is doing well, he is in good form with some freshness. He is stronger than at the start of the season. He needed time this year, so we chose to stay in France for the first part of the season and now it's time to travel and see him at group one level.”

Girl Power…

Nashwa | Scoop Dyga

This day is all about bringing the best together and, luckily, the two power contests boast three power players among the females. It just so happens that Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) represents double trouble in that regard, with Hollie Doyle combining to make for a potent threat in the QEII that has for so long looked tailor-made for her. More about pure muscular pace than stamina at four, Imad Al Sagar's beloved filly bullied her sex in the G1 Falmouth S. and comes back to that mile trip after two huge efforts attempting to carry her speed over 10 furlongs.

Hollie Doyle, who will have already steered her perennial hero of the hour Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) in the Long Distance Cup, is geared up for her latest dose of the Nashwa treatment. “It really hasn't mattered to me which race they chose,” she said. “Nashwa seems just as good at a mile as a mile and a quarter, so the trip doesn't seem to be an issue and she goes on any ground. The figures say she's improved significantly again, which is mad, so I'm delighted she's staying in training.”

What Nashwa has in brute strength, The Aga Khan's Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) possibly makes up for in tactical elan but this potentially horrible going is not what she needs and Dermot Weld will be quick to spare her a gruelling examination in the QEII–a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile–if the expected torrents come this way. Any volume of rain is of no concern to the Champion S. siren Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), whose performance in Newmarket's G2 Dahlia S. in May still stands as one of the season's major moments. What she achieved subsequently, even when winning at a higher level in The Curragh's Pretty Polly, did not have that same elevated feel but the ground has come right for another tour de force from Rebecca Hillen's star of the George Boughey show.

“She looks amazing for this time of year and her best performances come after a break, which she's had since Deauville two months ago,” Boughey said. “Oisin [Murphy] already knows her well, having ridden her work when she was with Joe [Tuite].”

Not A Bridge Too Far…

Bay Bridge | Megan Ridgwell

When it is on the soft side, it is fair to describe last year's Champion S. hero Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}) as one of the best of the middle-distance division. His success over Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) in this 12 months ago, and more importantly his brushing aside of Mostahdaf in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. last May, mark him as a special talent when conditions are kind. On the Polytrack, James Wigan and Ballylinch Stud's flag-bearer again showed what he is capable of on his penultimate start in the G3 September S. and it is possible to excuse all defeats around those wins mostly on surfaces too quick.

Sir Michael Stoute's sole runner in the card's pattern races is probably still the one to beat in the feature and the master trainer's assistant James Savage is giving out the right vibes. “We've been very pleased with how Bay Bridge came out of the Arc, which was a tough race on ground that dried out throughout the day,” he said. “He ran well at Longchamp and was only beaten about six lengths, having done a little bit too much in Richard's hands in the early and middle parts of the race.”

“We are pretty sure he stayed the mile and a half, as he did at Kempton, but you'd have to say that going back to Ascot in conditions we've been waiting for all year he'd have a great shout,” he added. “I think Mostahdaf is a very, very good horse, and so is Horizon Dore, so in my opinion it's just as strong a race as last year, but conditions will hopefully be very much in our favour once again and he's training very well.”

Time Calls For Charlton…

Another subplot to the fixture is the last Champions Day for Roger Charlton as he nears the handover to son Harry at the end of the season. They saddle the fast-improving Time Lock (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the Fillies & Mares and her impressive defeat of the re-opposing Sweet Memories (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in Newmarket's G3 Princess Royal S. last month marks her down as one of the favourites. “She is in great form and is on the right path, growing in confidence with her success. It looks very competitive with a big field but she's in as good form as any of the others at the moment,” Harry said. “It's hard to be too confident, as the conditions aren't ideal. We'd be going with more confidence if they weren't looking at so much rain, as good ground would have been ideal, but she handles soft.”

Inner Track Decision Made…

Ascot announced that the inner flat course will be used for the middle-distance races on Saturday, with the going at soft, heavy in places on Friday. It was good-to-soft, soft in places on the inner track then and soft on the straight course. As a result of the change, the Long Distance Cup will now be run over 82 yards shorter, the Fillies & Mares will be 78 yards less while the Champion Stakes remains at 10 furlongs.

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Inaugurated last year, the Sceptre Sessions feature 1000 Guineas heroine Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) (1433); Pretty Polly S. victress Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) (lot 1788); top-level winners Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) (lot 1776) and Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) (lot 1811), both trained by Ralph Beckett; and South African Grade 1 winner Vernichey (SAf) (Vercingetorix {SAf}) (lot 1802). Prix Vermeille winner Teona (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (lot 1786), who is in foal to champion sire Frankel (GB), will also go through the ring.

The sale features 33 group and listed-winning race fillies that will be offered across the two Sceptre Sessions. There are also numerous top-class mares carrying their first foals like Group 3 winner Nazanin (Declaratio Of War) (lot 1810) in foal to Frankel (GB). Other lots of note include Cruella De Vill (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 1540) who is a half-sister to star broodmare Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}); Galileo Gal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 1789), herself a half-sister to three Classic/Group 1 winners among them Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) carrying to New Bay (GB); and a sextet of Group/Grade 1 producers led by Nigh (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 1823), the dam of Via Sistina, who is in foal to Too Darn Hot (GB).

Large consignments from some of the top owner/breeders are also the order of the sale, with Godolphin's Group 1 winner White Moonstone (Dynaformer) (lot 1398), pregnant to Teofilo (Ire), part of their 46-strong draft. A total of 29 fillies and mares will be offered by Juddmonte, among them the listed-placed Radiator (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 1511), who is a daughter of Grade I winner Heat Haze (GB) (Green Desert) and a half-sister to top-level winner Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in foal to Nathaniel (Ire). A select consignment of eight from Shadwell is highlighted by a full-sister to star filly Taghrooda (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Taqaareed (Ire) (lot 1638), in foal to Pinatubo (Ire). The Castlebridge Consignment will send 105 lots to Park Paddocks for the sale, including Podium (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 1727), a full-sister to G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Peaceful (Ire) in foal to Wootton Bassett (GB). Barton Sales' 65 lots include a Shamardal half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (lot 1379), Hidden Gem (GB), in foal to State Of Rest (Ire).

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “The Sceptre Sessions at the Tattersalls December Sale were introduced last year to widespread international acclaim and made an immediate impact. This year's Sceptre Sessions look set to follow suit with an outstanding array of Classic and Group 1 winning fillies and producers amongst some of the finest fillies and mares to be offered for sale anywhere in the world.

“In addition to the extraordinary quality showcased in the Sceptre Sessions the Tattersalls December Mares Sale features consignments of real quality from so many of Europe's leading owner/breeders including the much sought after drafts from Godolphin, Juddmonte Farms and Shadwell Estates all of which combine to enhance the reputation of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale as the most influential breeding stock sale in Europe.”

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Le grand exploit de Mqse de Sévigné !

La championne d'André Fabre, montée par @pouchinalexis, signe un doublé inédit Prix Rothschild-@sumbe_fr Prix Jean Romanet !

Elle est la jument du Meeting de Deauville Barrière 2023 pic.twitter.com/uOFULIE8Ho

— Equidia (@equidia) August 20, 2023

Edouard de Rothschild said, “It is a great honour and pride to be associated with such a filly. She is very well-bred from a family that gets better and better with age, has a beautiful conformation and a lovely temperament. I am delighted for all the staff working hard at Meautry. We've had a great meeting, but you have to remain humble and expect that things will not go too bad rather than expecting too much.” Andre Fabre has a trip to his beloved Newmarket in mind now. “I think the Sun Chariot Stakes could be the right race for her next time,” he added.

While Mqse De Sevigne had taken the G3 Prix Vanteaux last spring, she then seemed to have reached a plateau with seconds to Trevaunance (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) in both the G3 Prix de Psyche and G2 Prix de la Nonette and the early signs this term were that she was stuck in a groove with more seconds in ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix Allez France, Saint-Cloud's G2 Prix Corrida and the Listed Prix de la Pepiniere at Chantilly. While all the evidence suggested she had reached a ceiling, Fabre continued to believe and duly relit her fire dropping the half-sister to the G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Meandre (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}) back to a mile for the Rothschild.

This represented another step forward, with Trevaunance setting an honest tempo under Shane Foley and creating the perfect scenario for the hold-up merchants biding their time. While Via Sistina put in a seemingly race-winning penultimate split of 11.10, Mqse De Sevigne trumped that with a stunning 10.99 to cut back the advantage and while their final furlong sectional were virtually identical, it was the Fabre runner who had produced the most potent closing effort.

George Boughey is keen to return to France with Via Sistina. “She's run a blinder again against a very good filly, but it's not taken much out of her and she possibly got a bit lonely in front,” he said. “We'll probably come back for the Opera. That looks the right race for her and she goes on most ground. That will be her last race.”

Pedigree Notes

Mqse De Sevigne's dual listed-placed dam Penne, whose aforementioned Meandre also took the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin and G1 Preis von Europa, is also responsible for the listed-placed Dogma (Fr) (Mount Nelson {GB}). Kin to the dual listed winner Gris Tendre (Fr) by Meandre's sire Slickly, she descends from the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Prix de Diane-winning champion Apollonia (Fr) (Djebel {Fr}). Penne's as-yet unraced 3-year-old filly by Saxon Warrior (Jpn) is named Une Fausse Venus (Ire), while she also has the 2-year-old colt Mr L'Apothicaire (Fr) (Kodiac {GB}).

Sunday, Deauville, France
SUMBE PRIX JEAN ROMANET-G1, €250,000, Deauville, 8-20, 4yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:06.77, vsf.
1–MQSE DE SEVIGNE (IRE), 126, f, 4, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: Penne (Fr) (MSP-Fr), by Sevres Rose (Ire)
2nd Dam: Une Pensee (Fr), by Kenmare (Fr)
3rd Dam: Cleophis (Fr), by Crepello (GB)
O-Baron Edouard de Rothschild; B-Ecurie de Meautry (IRE); T-Andre Fabre; J-Alexis Pouchin. €142,850. Lifetime Record: 12-4-5-1, €470,620. *1/2 to Meandre (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}), MG1SW-Fr & Ger, $1,692,990; and Dogma (Fr) (Mount Nelson {GB}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Via Sistina (Ire), 126, m, 5, Fastnet Rock (Aus)–Nigh (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (5,000gns Ylg '19 TADEYG). O-Mrs Rebecca Hillen; B-Laundry Cottage Stud Farm (IRE); T-George Boughey. €57,150.
3–Above The Curve, 126, f, 4, American Pharoah–Fabulous (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith & Westerberg; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Joseph O'Brien. €28,575.
Margins: NO, 2, 2. Odds: 3.70, 1.20, 3.50.
Also Ran: Trevaunance (Ire), Darkaniya (Fr), One For Bobby (Ire), Valpolicella (Ger), Plesant Jane (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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“We can't wait to go to the Morny with her and it has been part of the plan since the beginning,” Head said. “I think she's the type of horse who can box with this calibre of horse at this time in the season. There are going to be two fillies, two French horses and lots of good opposition, but she's doing fine and all the lights are green for the Morny.”

With the track hit by significant rain on Friday, ability to get through tacky ground is going to be a bonus and while race-fitness may be an issue following his minor setback, Ballydoyle's G2 Coventry S.-winning TDN Rising Star River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) has at least proven that easy going is not a problem having won by 10 lengths on debut on soft at Navan in April.

Aidan O'Brien has his concerns, however. “He's good, I'm worried that he missed 10 days so he will run with a cloud over him,” he said. “I wouldn't be surprised at all if he did get tired. We are taking a chance on running him back, because if he doesn't run now he won't be out until the autumn. He came sounder quicker than we thought he would, he did a piece of work and that's why we let him take his chance, but there is a cloud over him. If he did run disappointing I wouldn't be surprised. He was lame for seven days, he came back sound but he missed all the work.”

It was soft when KHK Racing's Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) won the G2 Richmond S. during a rain-afflicted Qatar Goodwood Festival and there is a concern that Clive Cox withdrew Al Mohamediya Racing's G2 July S. winner Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) from that race due to the ground. Karl Burke will have less worries about conditions for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Elite Status (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who bounced out of a third in the G2 Norfolk S. won by Valiant Force (Malibu Moon) to take the course-and-distance G3 Prix de Cabourg from the other French runner Sajir (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}).

Chris Wall, racing manager for KHK Racing, said of Vandeek, “We're not kidding ourselves, we know we're in at the deep end, but he's done nothing but improve and physically he is getting stronger all the time. The ground at Goodwood last time was very soft and while he coped with that, I think he will be better on a sounder surface. I think he's going to run a nice race.”

Clive Cox said of Jasour, “We were unhappy to run at Goodwood with a penalty in what was effectively heavy ground and with this race on the horizon it was a sensible manoeuvre not to run him there. We've been placed in the race since winning it with Reckless Abandon. Nando Parrado and Golden Horde ran well in the race, as well as Tis Marvellous. I'm just thrilled I have a horse of this calibre to be running in the race again and of course it would mean the world to be getting involved in the finish, which we hope he will.”

Rain Welcome For Via Sistina…

Connections of the G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) were delighted to see the heavy rain ahead of the G1 Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet as she steps back up from a mile having been third in the G1 Falmouth S. at Newmarket's July Festival. In light of subsequent events, her six-length defeat of Al Husn (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in Newmarket's G2 Dahlia S. in May looks even better than it did at the time and trainer George Boughey is approaching Sunday's race with confidence. “She had a little break after the Falmouth and I slightly regret running her back over a mile in hindsight,” he said. “She's a filly who hit the line really well in the Pretty Polly and arguably might get further, but she was an even-money shot and it was definitely worth a go. She added another bit of group one black-type to her pedigree and I think you will see the real Via Sistina back up at 10 furlongs.”

Testing ground would probably not have been what Andre Fabre wanted for Baron Edouard De Rothschild's G1 Prix Rothschild winner Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), who is back up in trip having relished that mile trip. The Aga Khan's Darkaniya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) had beaten her in Chantilly's 10 1/2-furlong Listed Prix de la Pepiniere last month and may be better suited to this test, while TDN Rising Star Above The Curve (American Pharoah) had Mqse De Sevigne two lengths in arrears in the G2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud in May. The trouble for her is that she failed to land a blow on Via Sistina in the Pretty Polly and couldn't handle Al Husn in Goodwood's G1 Nassau S. so like everything else is up against it tryin again to stop the Hillens' star mare.

Jannah Rose Back In Action…

Also at Deauville, the 10-furlong G2 Sumbe Prix Alec Head sees the G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Jannah Rose (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) re-emerge following her disappointing effort in the G1 Prix de Diane. That also applies to the G3 Prix Penelope-winning TDN Rising Star Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), one of the first of the Wildenstein-bred horses to run in the Wertheimer colours following their acquisition of the organisation's bloodstock.

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Ryan Moore has an idea where his mount stands, but admits this will tell connections a lot more. “This is clearly up another grade or two but we have an excellent record in this race, winning it with some top-class future Classic winners and hopefully Henry Longfellow can stamp himself as a candidate for future group 1 honours too,” he said in his betfair blog. “But let's not get ahead of ourselves, as his bare form to date means this is a tough enough task in its own right, even with just four rivals.”

Among them is Vincent Gaul's Spanish Flame (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), who took Tipperary's Glenvale Stud Race over nearly 7 1/2 furlongs last month and who is held in high regard by Ger Lyons.

Chesham Rematch In The Debutante…
In the seven-furlong G2 Alpha Centauri Debutante S., Lindsay Laroche's unbeaten Snellen (Ire) (Expert Eye {GB}) renews rivalry with Ballydoyle's Pearls And Rubies (No Nay Never) who she narrowly edged out when last seen in Royal Ascot's Listed Chesham S. Dropping back to an extended six furlongs in this track's G3 Anglesey S. last month only confirmed that the latter needs at least this trip.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell said of Snellen, “We gave her a short break after Ascot and she's done well since and we're looking forward to Saturday. She's going to have to come forward, but we're hopeful she has done. Everything has been straightforward with her since Ascot.”

Aidan O'Brien said of Pearls And Rubies, “She's in good form and she won't mind an ease in the ground either. We were a little bit disappointed with her the last day but Ryan [Moore] said to maybe go a bit further, he said she was coming home well but the line just came too quick for her.”

Hungerford Test For Mostabshir…
   Newbury sees the G2 Hungerford S. over seven furlongs, where Shadwell's TDN Rising Star Mostabshir (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) drop back in trip following his sixth in the G1 St James's Palace S. and fourth in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil S. The half-brother to Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) most likely has his best days ahead of him but this is a tough call for 3-year-olds taking on hardened older horses and specialists at the trip like Pogo (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) and last year's winner Jumby (Ire) (New Bay {GB}).

“He's an interesting horse and a horse who works very well at home and shows plenty of ability there,” racing manager Angus Gold said. “I'm not quite sure he has fulfilled his potential so far on the racecourse. He won very well at York obviously earlier in the year and on his day he's capable of putting up a good performance, but he really needs to step up to the plate now. He's been a bit immature, but like everything out of his mare, hopefully he is only going to get better as he gets older.”

Calvados Heads Deauville Action…
Deauville's August Festival continues apace, with the seven-furlong G2 Prix du Calvados for 2-year-old fillies featuring Gerard Augustin-Normand's course-and-distance G3 Prix Six Perfections winner Laulne (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) and Haras d'Etreham and Craig Bernick's Listed Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles-winning TDN Rising Star Les Pavots (Ire) (No Nay Never). Adding intrigue is Amo Racing Limited's Qatar Goodwood Festival winner Ornellaia (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), while the card's other group 2 is the 12 1/2-furlong Prix de Pomone, where Juddmonte's G3 Prix de Royaumont scorer Ottery (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) could have more to offer.

Morny Humdinger In Store For Sunday…
Friday saw the draw made for Sunday's G1 Sumbe Prix Morny and it did not disappoint as the 2-year-old race of the season attracted the G2 Coventry S. and G2 Prix Robert Papin-winning TDN Rising Stars River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Ramatuelle (Justify) respectively. Also in the line-up are the G2 July S. winner Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), the G2 Norfolk S. scorer Valiant Force (Malibu Moon), G2 Richmond S. scorer Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) and the G3 Prix de Cabourg winner Elite Status (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), as well as the G3 Princess Margaret S. winner Sacred Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). A field of eight will contest the same card's G1 Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet, where the G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) is set to encounter the G1 Prix Rothschild winner Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}).

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“Via Sistina is in great shape,” Boughey said. “It was a little frustrating watching the [G1] Nassau [last week at Goodwood] without having her in it in that [soft] ground, but it was never really the plan after we went to the Falmouth and she's getting ready to run in the Romanet at Deauville on Aug. 20.

“She'd had two quick runs and we've got to pick our battles–you can't run in every race–and it's been the plan to run in the Romanet for a long time should the ground be right for her. It's the last 4-year-old and above fillies-only race for her this year and we're very pleased with her. She worked yesterday [Monday] morning, Jamie Spencer sat on her and was very happy.”

In the Romanet, Via Sistina will return to 1 1/4 miles at Deauville and will go longer distances for the rest of her campaign, according to Boughey.

“We wanted to experiment over the mile in the Falmouth, but she was tapped for toe and we'll go back up in trip,” Boughey added.

“She's entered in the 10-furlong [G1 Champion S.] and the 12-furlong race [G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S.] on Champions Day at Ascot and she'll be in the [G1] Prix de l'Opera over 10 [furlongs] on Arc day.”

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While it is on the face of surprising that she is winless since the latter contest, there has been a creeping feeling that the intermediate trip is too far for her now that she has filled her substantial frame. That was no more obvious than last time, when she had Al Husn (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) beaten until tying up in the last handful of the extra 42 yards added to the 10 furlongs of Newcastle's G3 Hoppings Fillies' S. Attempts to curb her enthusiasm have proven fruitless even for the ultra-skilled hands of Hollie Doyle and it would be no surprise to see her allowed to rock and roll from the front on a track that strongly favours that approach.

“She has grown and developed a lot over the winter [and] is a really big, burly mare now,” her rider and number one fan explained. “I think she has taken a time to come to hand and has taken a few runs to get straightened out, really. It seems the obvious route to go down after her last two runs and I've no doubt she's got enough toe. Time will tell, because this is a different ballgame.”

Via Sistina Part Of Falmouth Quandary

With so many fillies going down in trip, this is a far from straightforward renewal of the Falmouth, but then this is a race which can throw curveballs such as Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) at 16-1 last year upsetting Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Like Nashwa, Via Sistina is another sharpening up at a mile having beaten the aforementioned Al Husn by six lengths in devastating fashion when the rain came to Newmarket on the weekend of the Guineas Festival. That rampage over the nine furlongs of the G2 Dahlia S. outshines her subsequent triumph in the Pretty Polly and the fact is that the less give in the surface the less advantage she has.

“There are very few horses in training that can be favourite for Group 1 races over various trips and I think she has that versatility in that she stays and has got plenty of boot,” trainer George Boughey said. “She showed a proper turn of foot in the Dahlia and I think over a mile she would be equally as effective. It is a bit of a question mark coming back to the mile as she hasn't ever been there, but for her career going forward we want to try and keep some speed in her.”

Via Sistina remains the winner of the Pretty Polly Stakes at @curraghrace, and Jamie Spencer will miss the ride aboard Khaadem in Saturday's July Cup.

Read more here

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 11, 2023

Is This One For The Closers?

With the memory of last year still fresh, it is hard to see anything other than Prosperous Voyage going forward again and with the increasingly free-going Nashwa here alongside another who has set the pace before in the G2 Duke of Cambridge S. runner-up Random Harvest (Ire) (War Front), this could be a case of the leaders setting it up for the finishers. Via Sistina fits that bill, but if the ground is too lively then the likes of the G1 Coronation S. runner-up Remarquee (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Juddmonte's Sandringham H. winner Coppice (GB) (Kingman {GB}) come into the equation. There is no telling what the plan is in Ryan Moore's mind for Ballydoyle's Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), another reverting to a mile after a hit-and-miss season which includes a second to Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) in the G1 Prix de Diane which puts her in the mix.

Frankie on fire! Coppice wins the Sandringham for the Gosdens and @JuddmonteFarms at #RoyalAscot! @Ascot pic.twitter.com/PChSqgMG2X

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 23, 2023

Grand Prix

The Gosdens have a strong chance of a Group 1 double on Friday, with Lady Bamford's Oaks heroine Soul Sister (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) the fly in the colts' ointment in ParisLongchamp's Grand Prix de Paris. Partnered by Kieran Shoemark for the first time, the homebred faces Ecurie Jean-Louis Bouchard's TDN Rising Star Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}) who was fourth in a hot G1 Prix du Jockey Club; the G3 Prix Hocquart winner First Minister (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who was beaten by Feed The Flame in the spring but who hails from the stable of the 13-times successful Andre Fabre; and Ballydoyle's Adelaide River (Ire) (Australia {GB}) who brings the G1 Irish Derby form into sharper focus.

“It's a competitive field and we're getting three pounds off the colts,” Shoemark said. “This is a tough task and it is the first time a filly has ran in the race for 10 years, so it is something that doesn't happen very often but John and Thady Gosden have her in good order and hopefully we go there with a good chance.”

Star Of Mystery Takes Aim At The Duchess of Cambridge

Charlie Appleby's opening fixture of the July Festival was a mixed bag on Thursday, so a big effort from TDN Rising Star Star Of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) would be welcome in Friday's G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. So impressive over this course and distance in the Listed Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' S., this comes quick enough but with a disappointing turnout of only four her claims are obvious. “Star Of Mystery came out of her recent win in good order and this looks a natural progression for her,” he said. “A couple of her rivals bring Royal Ascot form into the race, which always warrants respect, but she looks the one to beat based on her Empress Stakes display.”

Those Royal Ascot runners will not include Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's G3 Albany S. third Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), who was ruled out on Thursday due to a medication administration error, but the filly who followed her home in fourth there steps out on Friday. Amo Racing's TDN Rising Star Persian Dreamer (Calyx {GB}) is the form threat to Godolphin's favourite and trainer Dominic Ffrench Davis is hopeful.

“Persian Dreamer ran a blinder and she was the last horse off the bridle,” he said. “I think if she had been drawn on the other side she would definitely have been in the first three, but she ran very well and has come out of the race well. Any rain would be appreciated because she does like to get her toe in a little bit. She's a lovely filly and I think she is going to stay further. She will get seven and a mile next year and I think she will get seven later this year. I think she is going to be a very classy filly if we can keep her in one piece.”

Little Big Bear Still In The July Cup

Aidan O'Brien is leaving a decision on the participation of Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) in Saturday's G1 July Cup at Newmarket until later in the week after declaring last year's G1 Phoenix S.-winning champion juvenile. One of only nine engaged in the six-furlong feature, the TDN Rising Star had been a doubt for the contest after suffering a bruised foot but his inclusion means that Rossa Ryan has been booked for his G1 Commonwealth Cup conqueror Shaquille (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}). The G2 1895 Duke of York S. winner Azure Blue (Ire) (El Kabeir) and Marc Chan's G1 British Champions Sprint S. hero Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) are other notables in the smallest field for the July Cup since 1997, when Compton Place (GB) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) caused a 50-1 shock.

Little Big Bear is among a final field of 9 declared for the Pertemps Network July Cup at @NewmarketRace on Saturday. His stablemate, Meditate, is among those taken out. pic.twitter.com/EifP7Uw8yt

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 13, 2023

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George Boughey trainee Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), ridden by Jamie Spencer, drifted across the course near the finish and impeded placed horses when winning by two lengths earlier this month. Runner-up Stay Alert (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus])'s owners Ben and Sir Martyn Arbib appealed the stewards' decision to leave the placings as is. However, that appeal was dismissed on Tuesday.

In addition, Spencer was given a six-day ban for his mount's waywardness, but his suspension, too, remains and will take place on July 15, 17-20, and 22. Spencer's upcoming G1 July Cup ride aboard Royal Ascot longshot winner Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) has been filled by Rob Hornby.

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