The evergreen Way To Paris (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}-Grey Way, by Cozzene), who has proved better than ever this year, is finally to relinquish the service of his venerable owner Paolo Ferrario on the racetrack for a fresh start at Coolagown Stud in 2021.
The popular grey, who has one last assignment in the G1 Japan Cup later this month, made a deserved Group 1 breakthrough this summer in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, having failed by just a head to run down subsequent Arc winner Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the G1 Prix Ganay on his previous start. But he had already extended an unbroken seam of high-class form through five seasons and, backed up by one of the most aristocratic families in the American Stud Book, will go to market as a highly eligible heir to his much-lamented sire.
The deal to stand Way To Paris in Co. Cork was brokered by Richard Venn, who extended his thanks to Ferrario’s manager Paolo Picchi “for making the dream a reality.”
The agent added, “Way To Paris had been on my radar for some time. As you can imagine, we had to fight off determined interest from several French studs. So to start off his stud career in Ireland is a real coup for Irish breeders. As his race record shows, he is a sound, consistent and talented individual at the highest level. In addition, he is an exceptional looker and has an excellent pedigree–he could be very interesting for Flat mares as well.”
Way To Paris will be launched at €3,500, live foal, with a 50% concession for fillies. “His introductory fee really reflects what is currently going on in the world,” Venn said. “And the ramifications it is having on our industry.”
Way To Paris, bred by the Vittadini family of Grundy fame, is certainly eligible to prove influential in both codes. His sire, of course, belonged to one of the most remarkable group of siblings in the history of the breed; and his third dam is a full sister to champion Numbered Account. This is the Ogden Phipps family that has also produced Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver (Maria’s Mon) and important earlier stallions in Woodman and Private Account. His first four dams, moreover, are by Cozzene, Nureyev, Buckpasser and Swaps, so really his genes are inlaid with Classic quality.
His own mother was herself a Group 2 winner in Italy, where she was anointed champion 3-year-old filly, and had already produced a dual Group 1 winner in Distant Way (Distant View). Significantly, while that horse registered his elite wins over 10 furlongs at the ages of five and six, he was already posting high-class form at three when a strong-finishing fourth of 15 in the G1 Derby Italiano. So the template was there for his half-brother.
Carrying the yellow and light blue silks long esteemed in his homeland, through Scuderia Fert, Way To Paris has banked over £560,000 in prizemoney. In the hands of trainer Andrea Marcialis, and previously his father Antonio, Way To Paris has maintained his soundness and zest in beating 13 individual Group 1 winners while himself winning or placing 15 times at group level; and 21 times from 36 starts overall. Perhaps his most flamboyant performance came in May, when he stormed home by 4 1/2 lengths in the G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly.
Pierre-Charles Boudot, who rode him that day and most of this season, said, “Way To Paris a strong horse who stays well and has a great turn of foot. He is a beautiful individual, a handsome grey with a lovely coat and a powerful physique. He is a determined horse who handles all types of going. His strength is in his acceleration in a finish.”
Champs Elysees, who sired elite winners on the Flat in Billesdon Brook (GB) and Trip To Paris (Ire), died in 2018 after his transfer to Castlehyde Stud had been avidly subscribed. Little wonder if Coolagown Stud manager David Stack is so enthused about his new recruit.
“I’m very grateful to Mr. Ferrario and Mr. Picchi for entrusting Way To Paris to Coolagown,” he said. “When you speak to breeders they are looking for tough, honest, sound consistent horses and Way to Paris epitomised all these traits. If his offspring get a hint of his class and durability, then he will be a top-class sire.
“He’s also a gorgeous-looking horse who stands 16.1 hands and has a wonderful temperament. I can’t wait to show him off to breeders.”
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