The winner of the G2 Prix Robert Papin, and runner-up in the G1 Prix Morny, Ramatuelle is also entered for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and she will begin her preparations for the Classics in Deauville on April 9.

“Ramatuelle has been a tremendous filly for us as a two-year-old and we are now preparing her for pretty much the mile programme in France, but not only in France, in the UK too,” said Head.

“We're looking all over Europe to make the best programme for her as a three-year-old. [Newmarket] is of course a possibility, but at the end of the day her owner will decide where she will run.

“She's going to go to the Prix Imprudence and then from there we will see where we go. To be a successful miler is the main objective this year.

“I think Ramatuelle is a really nice filly and Justify has proven he can sire very versatile horses. I'm very happy to have her at three and can't wait to see what she is going to do for us in the mile races this year.”

Ramatuelle, like Blue Rose Cen and fellow Group 1 winner Big Rock (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), was bred by Yeguada Centurion but she was sold as a yearling to a syndicate involving Tony Parker's Infinity Nine Horses and Ecurie des Monceaux. While Blue Rose Cen has been moved over the winter to the stable of Maurizio Guarnieri, Big Rock remains under Head's care. 

He said of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. winner, “Big Rock is brilliant and has done very well over the winter. He will have a nice programme in Europe and we will be able to come over to the UK again.

“I will speak with the owners before saying anything about where he is going to start, but don't worry the horse is doing very well and we're very happy with his training. We can't wait to see him back on track.”

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Blue Rose Cen races in the colours of her breeder Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals of Yeguada Centurion, who, along with Head, also had the second-top-rated horse in Europe last year in Big Rock (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}). The G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. winner was given a mark of 127, just a pound below Ace Impact (Ire) and Mostahdaf (Ire), in the official Longines and IFHA World rankings, which were announced on Tuesday in London. Furthermore, Yeguada Centurion also bred France's top-rated juvenile, Ramatuelle (Justify), who is trained by Head for Tony Parker's Infinity Nine Horses.

“Yeguada Centurion has expressed the desire to entrust some horses to a new trainer,” Head told Jour de Galop. “This is why Blue Rose Cen joined Maurizio Guarnieri's stable. It was a real pleasure to train Blue Rose Cen for two years. She gave my team and me incredible emotions, and I hope she will do the same for her new trainer.”

The Italian-born Guarnieri, trainer of G2 Prix du Calvados winner Wed (Fr) (Profitable {Ire}) prior to her departure to the States, has taken charge of 10 horses for Yeguada Centurion, including seven juveniles. This brings his number of horses in training to 48. 

Head, who finished fourth in the French trainers' championship for 2023, is listed as having 22 horses in training for Yeguada Centurion, half of which are two-year-olds, among the 103 horses registered to his stable with France Galop.

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I'd been impressed by Christopher Head since the day I first visited his stable in July 2019 and found him on the end of a broomstick sweeping the floor outside the rented boxes of the five horses he had in training at that time.

His ascent has been rapid, and by now his string must be 20 times that size. And, yes, he has a surname that would open doors in France and beyond, but it is hard not to respect the progress made within the short time Head has been training. In 2023, his first Classic win with Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), who had also been his first Group 1 winner in the previous season's Prix Marcel Boussac, was followed by his first Group 1 success outside France.

Big Rock (Ire) first caught the eye with his dominant performance in the G3 Prix La Force at Longchamp. Off he went in front, and when Padishakh (Fr) came for him in the straight, he kicked again, repelling that challenger and ultimately winning eased down. This he repeated, even more impressively, when winning the G3 Prix de Guiche at Chantilly, with Aurelien Lemaitre simply having to coax him with hands and heels to put five lengths between himself and Horizon Dore (Fr). The runner-up would go on to record four straight stakes wins including two Group 2s.

Big Rock stepped up to the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and, for much of the race, the front-running son of Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) looked as though he would once again have things all his own way before Ace Impact (Ire) set sail from the back of the pack.

Chalk and cheese in their running styles, the trail-blazing Big Rock and stalking Ace Impact set the French scene alight this year. While the latter continued to storm through his season unbeaten, deploying a similarly devastating late turn of foot to win the Arc before retiring to stud, Big Rock thrice ran into just one that would get the better of him. They were good ones, mind. Inspiral (GB) took his scalp the next time in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois, and then Sauterne (Fr) in the G1 Prix du Moulin. But then came Ascot.

There is often much gnashing of teeth in the build-up to QIPCO British Champions Day, which is usually accompanied by typically wet autumn weather, making the ground testing. It was no problem for Big Rock, however, who coped with the soft ground just as he had done in his five-length romp at Chantilly in May, turning his seasonal finale into a procession.

This time it was a six-length pasting he gave his rivals in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S., making all to rout a quality field that included the multiple Group 1 winners Tahiyra (Ire), Nashwa (GB), Paddington (GB) and Chaldean (GB). A dazzling performance to cut through the gloom of the day.

Big Rock looks a big star in the making for his late sire who had his own dazzling brand of magic over a mile, and the Yeguada Centurion homebred has a strong pedigree to recommend him once he makes it to stud. His Aga Khan-bred dam, by Sea The Stars (Ire), is out of a half-sister to one of that stallion's best sons, the dual Derby winner Harzand (Ire). But before we even think about his stallion career, let's applaud his owner Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals for allowing him to race on and enjoy Big Rock back on the track in 2024.

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Timeform has awarded Big Rock a rating of 129 for his six-length romp on QIPCO British Champions Day, which is the highest figure recorded by a miler in Europe this season. The winner of two Group 3 Classic trials in the spring, Big Rock was second to Ace Impact (Fr) in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and also finished runner-up in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois and G1 Prix du Moulin, behind Inspiral (GB) and Sauterne (Fr) respectively. 

Head told TDN on Monday, “He's come out the race perfectly well. It's crazy, a horse coming back from that kind of race and looking like he hasn't even raced.”

He continued, “We would have gone to the Arc de Triomphe if he had won the Jockey Club because we wouldn't have known the limit of the distance for him. So in one way I am happy that things have gone this way because we know better about him for next season.”

Both Big Rock and Blue Rose Cen race for their breeder Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals of Yeguada Centurion, who is also the breeder of their stable-mate Ramatuelle (Justify). The winner of the G2 Prix Robert Papin and G3 Prix du Bois, Ramatuelle was beaten only a short-neck by Vandeek (GB) in the G1 Prix Morny. She was sold as a yearling to Arthur Hoyeau for a syndicate which includes Ecurie des Monceaux and Tony Parker's Infinity Nine Horses.

“It's the end of the season now for Big Rock, and for Blue Rose Cen and Ramatuelle, and they are all coming back next season,” Head confirmed. “It's wonderful. Leopoldo loves his racing and he loves his horses and he doesn't want the public to get bored, so he wants them to be running next season and for everyone to be able to follow them.”

He added of Big Rock, “He was from Rock Of Gibraltar's last crop so it is wonderful to have him doing what he is in the same year that his sire has disappeared. And now he will be able to carry on the genes because he already has value as a stallion.”

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The Yeguada Centurion homebred is trained by Christopher Head. In 2022, she won the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac, and then completed a rare triple when adding the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane. After two unplaced runs at the highest level, she won the Opera by a neck and is currently on break at Haras de l'Hotellerie according to Head.

“Blue Rose Cen achieved a magnificent season,” he told the JDG. “You have to know how to respect the horses and, moreover, she will be seen again on the track as a 4-year-old. She went to take a month-and-a-half vacation, with the idea that it would be profitable for next year.

“We had thought about running in the Breeders' Cup last year and we skipped it because she had walked on a rock. Finally, when we see what she achieved this year, it was perhaps a blessing in disguise. We do not have a set programme for next year for her.”

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Last term's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine was supported down to favouritism in the betting market and broke on the lead from the inside stall before accepting a tow in third in this “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf next month. Slipping to fourth at halfway, the crowd's 17-10 pick made smooth progress out wide in the straight to regain control entering the final furlong and ran on strongly under a late drive to hold the rallying effort of Jackie Oh (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by a neck. Lumiere Rock (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), another who raced to the fore, finished one length adrift in third.

“This filly is incredible,” beamed trainer Christopher Head. “The season has been long and difficult for her, but she has always responded well. I am delighted to have the chance to train her and this win really means something to me. She has known combats like this and to see her shine again at this level is incredible. Aurelien Lemaitre succeeded in moving her to the outside because it can be a little treacherous on the rail. It was a beautiful ride and a beautiful race. We ran her in the [G1] Prix Vermeille in order to see her ability at the [12-furlong] distance. We now know what her limit is and we have her in a good position for us to make a plan for next year. Her last two outings did not worry me and we have seen her tested at Goodwood and over 2,400 metres. Her owner loves a challenge and we will discuss the next step, but she could be entered for the Breeders' Cup.”

Owner Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals added, “For me, this win is very special and the understanding with Christopher Head is perfect. There is lots of discussion between us and we are perpetually dissatisfied. He started as a trainer when I threw myself into it as a breeder and we have grown together.”

Reflecting on the effort of runner-up Jackie Oh, Aidan O'Brien said, “We are very happy and the filly performed really well. She will be seen next at Ascot over 12 furlongs [in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares].”

Lumiere Rock's jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle was satisfied with the run of his filly and added, “She ran well over a the 10-furlong distance, which she appreciated, but she would have perhaps preferred softer ground. She's achieved Group 1 black type and that is perfect.”

She's back! Blue Rose Cen lands the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera Longines at @paris_longchamp for @lemaitre60LA and @CHeadRacing! pic.twitter.com/DpLLruBkFw

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 1, 2023

Pedigree Notes

Blue Rose Cen is the lone representative of G3 Park Express S. and fellow GIII Santa Barbara S. victrix Queen Blossom (Ire) (Jeremy), herself the leading performer out of the G3 Silver Flash S. third Mark Of An Angel (Ire) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}). Mark Of An Angel is a granddaughter of multiple South African winner Grey Angel (GB) (Kenmare {Fr}), whose exploits include two Grade 3 victories and running seond in the G1 Gosforth Park Fillies & Mares Challenge. The January-foaled bay hails  from the family of GI Arlington Washington Futurity hero Well Decorated (Raja Baba) and the prolific sire Distinctive (Never Bend).Queen Blossom has a weanling colt by Frankel (GB) to come.

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE L'OPERA LONGINES-G1, €500,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:03.71, g/s.
1–BLUE ROSE CEN (IRE), 123, f, 3, by Churchill (Ire)
1st Dam: Queen Blossom (Ire) (GSW-Ire & US, $220,859), by Jeremy
2nd Dam: Mark Of An Angel (Ire), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire)
3rd Dam: Dream Time (GB), by Rainbow Quest
O/B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (IRE); T-Christopher Head; J-Aurelien Lemaitre. €285,700. Lifetime Record: 12-8-1-0, €1,589,850. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Jackie Oh (Ire), 123, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Jacqueline Quest (Ire), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Triermore Stud, Mrs J Magnier & M Tabor; B-C O P Hanbury (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €114,300.
3–Lumiere Rock (Ire), 123, f, 3, Saxon Warrior (Jpn)–Last Gold (Fr), by Gold Away (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (55,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Michael O'Flynn; B-The Last Partnership (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €57,150.
Margins: NK, 1, HF. Odds: 1.70, 11.00, 8.30.
Also Ran: Al Husn (Ire), State Occasion (GB), Excellent Truth (Ire), Jannah Rose (Ire), Darkaniya (Fr), Stay Alert (GB), Muskoka (Ger), Rogue Millennium (Ire). Scratched: Crown Princesse (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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It's the kind of theme that could so easily see people cancelled these days, but there could be no erasing of Hayes's enthusiasm for the game. A small breeder with two mares in Co Tipperary, he is a self-confessed “pedigree nutcase” who claims to know nothing of conformation. He can rest assured that he has bred a pretty special animal in the unbeaten Jannah Rose, who meets all criteria in that important triumvirate of pedigree, physique and performance.

Hayes spent the flight from Dublin to Paris reading up on Chelandry (GB), Lord Rosebery's 1,000 Guineas winner and Oaks runner-up of 1897, from whom has sprung the likes of Lester's Piggott's first Derby winner Never Say Die, as well as the great High Chaparral (Ire), dual Classic winner Ravinella, and the Kentucky Derby heroes Tomy Lee, Genuine Risk, and Swale. Chelandry is Jannah Rose's 10th dam. This is deep-state research, reserved for pedigree lovers/nutcases (take your pick).

In the aftermath of Jannah Rose's imperious win, Hayes said of her dam, “Her first foal, [Group 2 winner] Creggs Pipes, was winning lots of races while my sister was dying from cancer, so it gave my sister some relief. Today is my mother-in-law's anniversary; she is looking down on us today, I know that.”

He added, “I'm a dairy farmer, and I wouldn't know the difference between a good-looking horse and a bad-looking horse. I don't know anything about conformation but I'm a complete nutcase for pedigrees.

“It's a big responsibility having a mare like that. It's all about the mare. That's all I have to do: do the right thing by her. We love her dearly, she's the boss. She's in foal to Kingman now and Shane [Horan] said, 'Next year, Frankel'.”

With Jannah Rose becoming Frankel's 27th Group 1 winner, Sophie Germain is now a deserved shoo-in for a return to his court. In the meantime, the 16-year-old mare will be eating from some pretty fancy tableware. Brandishing the silver salver he was presented with as winning breeder, Hayes added, “I'm going to take this home and put nuts on it for Sophie.”

Hayes had travelled to Longchamp with Kieran Lalor, who in January had spoken in TDN of his hopes for the then-maiden winner Jannah Rose to continue the solid start made by Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Al Shira'aa Farms. Abu Dhabi-owned, it has its headquarters at the Curragh-based property formerly known as Meadow Court Stud. Those hopes have now been realised, with the statuesque filly having remained faultless in winning the G3 Prix Vanteaux en route to her Group 1 success.

Hayes said on Sunday, “I'm delighted for Kieran in particular, that his judgement has been vindicated. It's a big decision to make to advise somebody to spend €650,000 on a yearling. He's the one who should take the credit.”

Lalor himself had been quick to praise the breeder. “Coming from an operation, a pedigree guru like John, the foundation is all there,” he said. “She's an absolutely lovely filly, the biggest heart I've ever seen. I'm delighted for the boss, and it's an absolute pleasure to be a part of this journey. I personally think her 4-year-old career will be even better.”

He continued, “I always go back to the day I saw her at Goffs. I've never fallen for a horse like I fell for her. Everything about her was as cool as a breeze.

“The most important thing is the breeder, as it's the hardest thing in the world to breed a filly like that, and that's what we want to do.”

Back at the farm, Al Shira'aa already has in its paddocks another daughter of Frankel, the Group 2 winner Rumi (Fr), who was also trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias. The trainer usually gives himself a special treat each Sunday by riding Jannah Rose. This week he left the job to supersub Christophe Soumillon.

“She always showed me she was good, but between good and Group 1 is a big step,” said Laffon-Parias. Now he knows, and the next stop is Chantilly.

“That's the target, the Prix de Diane,” he confirmed.

Next Run for the Roses

In the Diane, Jannah Rose will meet the other female star of Sunday at Longchamp, the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). She also represents an up-and-coming breeding operation, this one the Spanish-owned Yeguada Centurion.

The man behind it, Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals, has put his faith in some young members of the French racing and breeding scene to fulfil his dreams and they are making a damn good fist of it. In the winner's circle after the race, Blue Rose Cen's trainer Christopher Head chatted with Guillaume Garcon of Haras de l'Hotellerie, who is entrusted with boarding the Yeguada Centurion mares. Despite demonstrating a little more Gallic cool than our Irish friends, the delight on their faces was plain to see.

Garcon said of Blue Rose Cen's dam Queen Blossom (Ire) (Jeremy), “She will return soon from Coolmore and she is back in foal to Churchill–of course! We love Churchill, we've sent him lots of mares.”

He boards 30 mares for the same owner-breeder, including Hardiyna (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the sister to dual Derby winner Harzand (Ire) and dam of Prix du Jockey Club favourite Big Rock (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), who is also trained by Head.

“Both mares were bought quite inexpensively and it is wonderful to see him have this success,” Garcon noted.

When your surname is Head, there's a fair chance that the racing world will sit up and take notice. Christopher Head is the son of legendary former jockey and trainer Freddy, and is the cousin of Patricia Laffon-Parias, the wife of Jannah Rose's trainer. He would certainly not have struggled to have broken into this sphere, but nevertheless he started his training business in modest circumstances. When TDN first encountered Head four years ago, he was sweeping the yard outside the handful of boxes he rented in Chantilly from Pascal Bary.

“I still sweep the yard,” he said on Sunday. Now, however, it is the yard vacated by his father on his retirement and bought by Christopher earlier this year.

Blue Rose Cen, his first Group 1 winner last season in the Prix Marcel Boussac, is now his first Classic winner, as she was for jockey Aurelien Lemaitre. It would be no surprise to see her stablemate Big Rock become their second on June 4.

Marching Orders for Epsom

Not since Persimmon and Diamond Jubilee, in 1896 and 1900, have full-brothers won the Derby. At Lingfield on Saturday, a tantalising prospect was suggested by Military Order (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) that he could follow his brother Adayar (Ire) to Epsom after winning the Fitzdares Lingfield Derby Trial.

His success brought up a trial double for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby after Eternal Hope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who only made her debut on February 13, took the Oaks Trial.

Adayar was only second in the Lingfield Derby Trial two years ago but his early career took a similar path to his younger brother, with two runs as a juvenile at the back end of the season before a seasonal resumption at the end of April.

Military Order now shares the top spot in the Derby betting with Aidan O'Brien's Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

Not far behind them is Arrest (Ire), bred by Des Leadon and Mariann Klay at Swordlestown Little, who sparked a fine week for Frankel when winning the G3 Chester Vase by more than six lengths. Juddmonte's star stallion has already been responsible for the 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean (GB) this season and it would be no surprise to see him feature as the sire of another Derby winner, too.

His own sire Galileo (Ire) could yet have a say in this season's Classics, with his daughter Savethelastdance (Ire) having routed her rivals by 22 lengths in the Cheshire Oaks. If she makes it to Epsom, one hopes that the new Oaks favourite has a less dramatic experience there than her dam Daddys Lil Darling (Scat Daddy), who bolted to post for the Oaks during a lightning storm, causing jockey Olivier Peslier to bail out in an alarming incident.

Quote of the Week

You can always rely on the inimitable Richard Kent to come up with a good line or two, and the Mickey Stud maestro didn't disappoint in his interview after the success of the Dave Evans-trained Radio Goo Goo (GB) at Chester last week.

Kent could take particular delight in this result, as he bred both the filly's sire, Havana Grey (GB), with the late Lady Lonsdale, and her dam, Radio Gaga (GB), who is by the former Mickley resident Multiplex (GB). But he reserved the greatest praise for grand-dam Gagajulu (GB) (Al Hareb), the roach-backed mare who proved that handsome is as handsome does. Among her 16 runners were 11 winners and the black-type quartet of Ardbrae Lady (GB), One Gold (GB), Under My Spell (GB), and the aforementioned Radio Gaga.

Recalling Gagajulu with fondness, Kent said, “[She] won five races in 11 weeks for Dave as a 2-year-old. She's been a fantastic mare: she paid for two barns and a divorce…I could have built 10 barns with [what it cost for] the divorce.”

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Ramatuelle, sporting the Infinity Nine Horses silks, broke well from an outer stall and raced prominently throughout. Looming large on the bridle approaching the final furlong, the 23-10 favourite was not for catching once hitting the front soon after and powered clear in impressive fashion to easily outclass Dubai Hills (GB) (Adaay {Ire}) by 4 1/2 lengths. She becomes the fifth 'TDN Rising Star' for Justify (Scat Daddy), whose roll of honour includes unbeaten G2 Airlie Stud S. heroine Statuette.

“At this stage she is much more forward than most of my other 2-year-olds,” the winning trainer commented. “She has been working well at home and looks like a nice sort with a future.”

Ramatuelle, half to a yearling filly by Uncle Mo, is the first of two foals produced by G2 Goldene Peitsche and G3 Summer S. victrix Raven's Lady (GB) (Raven's Pass), herself out of an unraced half to G1 Prix d'Ispahan-winning sire Best Of The Bests (Ire) (Machiavellian), G2 Dante S. third Dunhill Star (Ire) (Danehill) and the dam of MGSW G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Prince Of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}). The February-foaled chestnut's third dam, G3 Fred Darling S. winner Sueboog (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), is a half-sister to the dam of GSW G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Prix Jean Prat runner-up Shaanmer (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) and stakes-winning GI Garden City Breeders' Cup H. second Nordican Inch (GB) (Inchinor {GB}).

3rd-Chantilly, €50,000, Mdn, 4-11, unraced 2yo, c/g, 5fT, :59.70, sf.
RAMATUELLE, f, 2, by Justify
1st Dam: Raven's Lady (GB) (GSW-Eng & Ger, $238,499), by Raven's Pass
2nd Dam: Pivotal Lady (GB), by Pivotal (GB)
3rd Dam: Sueboog (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
(€100,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €25,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
O-Infinity Nine Horses, Arthur Hoyeau, Ecurie des Monceaux, Hollymount Stud France SC, Mme Ilse Smits & Clement Tropres; B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (KY); T-Christopher Head.

RAMATUELLE wins Prix du Premier Pas @fgchantilly today for @HeadRacing1.

Purchased by @ArthurHoyeau from @InfoArqana for a partnership with us, @benkwok44444, Infinity Nine Horses, Hollymount Stud, Ilse SMITS & C. Troprès.

pic.twitter.com/RYh2Qt4UB7

— Ecurie Monceaux (@EcurieMonceaux) April 11, 2023

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It was hard not to be impressed by the seasonal debut of Jannah Rose (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who has raced only twice for two wins, and looked a proper Classic prospect for Al Shira'aa Farms and Carlos Laffon-Parias when winning the G3 Prix Vanteaux.

When TDN spoke to Al Shira'aa's manager Kieran Lalor back in February, the regard in which he held this three-parts-sister to the Group 2 winner Creggs Pipes (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) was clear and he recalled her purchase at the Goffs Orby Sale for €650,000.

“Jannah Rose was quite possibly one of the nicest yearlings I've ever seen at a sale,” he said. “She was a fantastic-looking individual, and she moved great. She was one horse I said to the boss, 'We just have to own her, whatever it takes.'”

Lalor added, “She's one we'll be very excited about.”

The excitement levels have undoubtedly moved up a level following Sunday's black-type victory, both for the Al Shira'aa team and for breeder John Hayes, who was in Paris to cheer on the daughter of his broodmare Sophie Germain (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}).

On Monday, Lalor confirmed that Jannah Rose had come out of the race in good order and will now be aimed at the G1 Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary, which is run on the same card as both French Guineas on May 14, en route to the G1 Prix de Diane. While her dam Sophie Germain was unraced, as explained in a TDN feature of 2021, there are plenty of Classic heroes to be found deep in this family, which pedigree expert Hayes will no doubt have ascertained before purchasing the daughter of Indian Ridge as a foal in 2007. Jannah Rose's grand-dam Nydrion (Critique) won the Oaks d'Italia, and the extended dynasty also includes Derby winners Never Say Die and High Chaparral (Ire), Kentucky Derby winners Swale and Genuine Risk, as well as Ravinella, who won the 1,000 Guineas and Poule d'Essai des Pouliches for Alec Head, the grandfather of Patricia Laffon-Parias, who is married to Jannah Rose's trainer.

All of those named, along with many more horses of note, trace back to Lord Rosebery's 1,000 Guineas winner and Oaks runner-up Chelandry (GB). Foaled in 1894, the influential mare was a member of the sole British crop of Goldfinch (GB), a son of the Triple Crown winner Ormonde (GB) who continued his stud career at Rancho del Paso in California and Kentucky's Elmendorf Stud.

Rock On

A member of the Head dynasty also featured in the success of the other Classic trial winner on Sunday, when Christopher Head saddled Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) to land the G3 Prix la Force in gutsy fashion.

Big Rock continues the burgeoning partnership between Head and owner-breeder Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals of Yeguada Centurion, who struck at the highest level last season with G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}).

With Big Rock on course for the Prix du Jockey Club, Blue Rose Cen looks set to have her Classic aspirations put on trial in Sunday's G3 Prix de la Grotte.

Big Rock's unraced dam Hardiyna (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was bought for €72,000 at Goffs when carrying him and, as her name implies, the fourth-generation Aga Khan-bred mare hails from the family which is also responsible for dual Derby winner Harzand (Ire), who is by the same sire as Hardiyna and is a half-brother to her Group 3-winning dam Harasiya (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}).

Yeguada Centurion is listed as the biggest owner in Head's stable, with 10 horses in training there, including recent Chantilly winner Mr Melbourne Cen (Fr) (Kodiac {GB}) and Sabio Cen (Fr) (ZaraK {Fr}), who won last week's Prix Tourbillon. 

Chappet Eyes Classic Prize

Fabrice Chappet generally has his horses pretty forward and he has made another good start to the season, saddling two stakes winners in the last week.

Good Guess (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), singled out by the trainer as a juvenile to follow last season, duly won his first two starts at two and was later Listed-placed at Deauville. The Cheveley Park Stud-bred colt, who races for Hisaaki Saito, stepped up another level when landing last Thursday's G3 Prix Djebel, with the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Belbek (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}) behind him in third. 

The grandson of 1,000 Guineas winner Russian Rhythm (Kingmambo) and relation to Irish Oaks winner Alydaress (Alydar) will now have his own shot at a Classic in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

On Sunday, Plesant Jane (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) landed the biggest win of her career on the same turf that one of her most celebrated relatives, Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}), won last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The 4-year-old's victory in the EBF-sponsored Listed Prix Zarkava brought her tally of wins to three, and she is the sole winner so far for her dam Jane The Star (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), both of whom were bred by and race for Rashit Shaykhutdinov. Grand-dam Jane Eyre (GB) (Sadler's Wells), a half-sister to Alpinista's dam Alwilda (GB) (Hernando {Fr}) raced just once for Aidan O'Brien after topping the Goffs Orby Sale of 2007 at €2.4 million when sold by her breeders Kirsten Rausing and Sonia Rogers.

Honour and Glory

While we await the Craven meeting, William Haggas and his team have been keeping us entertained with further Group 1 exploits in Sydney. This has given rise to the trainer considering operating a satellite yard in Australia. 

The very idea should make local trainers quake, for Haggas has targeted The Championships is Sydney with a sniper's precision. Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) followed Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) in landing the Group 1 double of the Ranvet S. and the Longines Queen Elizabeth S., and the 5-year-old looks likely to take in the G1 QEII Cup  in Hong Kong at the end of the month on his way home. Protagonist (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Young Rascal (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) have also landed Australian group races for Haggas.

There has been only disappointment so far this year for the former Haggas trainee Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}), who won last year's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh and left Newmarket for Mike Moroney's stable following a ninth-place finish in the Arc. The 5-year-old has finished last in both his Australian starts to date, including behind his former stable-mate Dubai Honour on Saturday.

Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), who topped last year's Tattersalls December Sale at 5.4 million gns when sold to Yulong Investments, was also underwhelming in her Australian debut when tenth in the G1 Sydney Queen of the Turf S. for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. A Group 1 winner at two, three and four for Andrew Balding, Alcohol Free 'won' her barrier trial at Randwick on 21 March after arriving in Australia, having spent the winter in light exercise in Newmarket.

It was good to see New Zealand breeding to the fore on the second day of Sydney's Championships with the G1 Sydney Cup going to the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Explosive Jack (NZ). The winner two years ago of both the Australian Derby and South Australian Derby, the 5-year-old Explosive Jack is by the globetrotting Jakkalberry (Ire), who was trained by Marco Botti to win the American St Leger and G2 Dubai City of Gold. The son of Storming Home (GB) was also third in the G1 Melbourne Cup and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic before standing at Novara Park Stud in New Zealand, where he died in 2018 from a gut infection.

Pennyweka (NZ) and her Rich Hill Stud-based sire Satono Aladdin (Jpn) were previously mentioned in a recent instalment of Seven Days, and since then Jim Wallace's homebred stable star has added victory in G1 Australian Oaks to her G1 New Zealand Oaks victory. That notable double was most recently achieved by NZ Horse of the Year Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) in 2017.

Calyx and Blue Point Off The Mark

In France last week Calyx (GB) joined his stud-mate Magna Grecia (Ire) as another of this year's freshmen to have notched their first winner. His daughter Classic Flower (GB), bred by Petches Farm, is one of three runners for the son of Kingman (GB) and scored on debut for trainer Patrice Cottier at Salon-Provence.

Joining the party at Kempton on Monday was Darley's Blue Point (Ire), whose son Action Point (Ire), trained by Archie Watson, became his first winner from two runners to date.

An Extra Special Coronation?

As most people who followed the racing interests of Queen Elizabeth II will recall, the Derby loomed large in the preparations for her coronation in 1953, with Aureole (GB), bred by her father King George VI, one of the leading fancies for Epsom that same week and ultimately finishing second to Pinza (GB).

Now the prospect of the King and Queen Consort having a runner in a Classic on their coronation day edged a step closer on Monday when Slipofthepen (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) remained unbeaten in two starts. 

It is a long shot, but not impossible, that he will head to Newmarket for the 2,000 Guineas, with co-trainer John Gosden appearing to prefer the option of the Heron S. on May 16 before a possible tilt at the St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot. Either way, on the available evidence, Slipofthepen looks a special colt.

For those hoping to see the Royal Studs continue to in the long term, it was encouraging to read the comments of the King and Queen Consort's racing manager John Warren after Slipofthepen won at Kempton.
He said of a possible Guineas run, “As far as the owners are concerned they won't be able to think of anything else but the coronation but they would never prevent the horse participating if we recommended that is where he ought to go.

“It would be an added bonus and they would watch after the event. The King has had very good osmosis in tuning into the bloodstock side of The Queen's life.

“He has always said when he had the responsibility of taking the bloodstock portfolio on he would take it seriously and he has, wonderfully supported by the Queen Consort at the same time. It is a wonderful thing for racing they have both taken such an interest.”

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“It was our intention to take advantage of his inside draw,” revealed trainer Christopher Head. “We knew his ability on the all-weather, but there was a question mark about the turf. We didn't want to complicate matters, so making the running was the sensible option and he handled everything with aplomb. He has that ability to set a lively pace and still find an extra gear, which is what you expect from a good horse. Evidently, the [June 4 G1] Prix du Jockey Club [at Chantilly] is the target, but he is not a horse to remain two months without a race. As long as he is well, he will have one more run before the French Derby. Which one has not yet been decided and we will discuss his programme with the owner.”

Pedigree Notes:

Big Rock is the first foal of two foals produced by an unraced daughter of G3 Silver Flash S. victrix and G1 Moyglare Stud S. third Harasiya (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), herself a half-sister to five black-type performers headed by G1 Derby and G1 Irish Derby-winning sire Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The February-foaled dark bay, half to a 2-year-old colt by Ten Sovereigns (Ire), is from the family of last term's G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares victrix and G1 Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), MG1SW G1 Irish Derby hero Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares winner Seal Of Approval (GB) (Authorized {Ire}).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX LA FORCE-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-9, 3yo, c/g, 9fT, 1:49.63, g/s.
1–BIG ROCK (FR), 128, c, 3, by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire)
1st Dam: Hardiyna (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire)
2nd Dam: Harasiya (Ire), by Pivotal (GB)
3rd Dam: Hazariya (Ire), by Xaar (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (FR); T-Christopher Head; J-Aurelien Lemaitre. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0, €94,650. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Padishakh (Fr), 128, c, 3, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Penny Lane (Ger), by Lord Of England (Ger). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€130,000 Ylg '21 ARQAUG). O-Nurlan Bizakov; B-Haras d'Etreham, Riviera Equine SARL & Ecurie de Montlahuc (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €16,000.
3–Greenland (Ire), 128, c, 3, Saxon Warrior (Jpn)–Aktoria (Fr), by Canford Cliffs (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (160,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 300,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg; B-SCEA Marmion & Alain Jathiere (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €12,000.
Margins: 2HF, HD, 1HF. Odds: 3.80, 1.70, 11.00.
Also Ran: Rashford (Fr), Horizon Dore (Fr), Birr Castle (Fr), Zalamo (Fr), Duc De Kent (Fr). Video, sponsored by TVG.

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