Second Classic for St Mark’s Basilica
Bob Scarborough-bred St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) took out a second French Classic on Sunday at Chantilly with a 1.75l victory in the G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club.
Racing near the front of midfield for much of the 2100 metre race, St Mark’s Basilica found a convenient hole right in front of him at the 400 metre mark and within 100 metres had the lead. Only getting a few taps, the colt raced on to an easy win with Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) earning the second placing by a nose over Millebosc (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}).
“The only concern was whether he would stay or not and although it was my opinion after the Poulains that he would, he had to confirm it and he did it in great style,” jockey Ioritz Mendizabl told Thoroughbred Daily News. “I had a lovely run through the race and he did everything right. He's a true champion.”
The second Prix du Jockey Club winner in three years for his sire, St Mark’s Basilica also claimed the G1 French 2000 Guineas last month. He is the second Classic winner for his dam Cabaret (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) after his half-brother Magna Grecia (Ire), with that horse shuttling to Coolmore Australia for a second time in 2021.
Under Your Spell secures first Group 1 in Allan Robertson
Rescheduled to Sunday after the card had to be canceled Saturday, the G1 Allan Robertson Championship at Scottsville proved to be a coming out party for Under Your Spell (SAF) (Capetown Noir {SAF}).
The 1200 metre turf race saw the 2-year-old filly race near last to the far right of the field. With 400 metres left, Under Your Spell started working her way to the lead and she was a serious threat for the win just outside the 250 metre mark. Taking the lead quickly after that, Under Your Spell never had to show her best when romping to a 3.75l win over Sound Of Warning (SAF) (Trippi {USA}), who was only a nose in front of third-placed Sheela (SAF) (The United States {Ire}).
The winner of two other stakes, Under Your Spell is one of three stakes horses for her dam Deceptive Charm (Ire) (Kingmambo {USA}). From the family of G3 Geelong Cup winner Steel Prince (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), she also finds New Zealand stakes winner Herman Munster (NZ) (Traditionally {USA}) on her page.
In Swoop strikes again in Grand Prix de Chantilly
It was a second straight victory for Group 1 winner In Swoop (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}) on Sunday as the 4-year-old registered a win in the G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly.
The colt raced relaxed in second last for much of the 2400 metre race, swinging wide with 800 metres left to race and soon racing just behind the leader. In Swoop had to battle down the straight with Vaucelles (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) and only had a firm hold on the lead inside the final 100 metres. A late run by Godolphin’s Sublimis (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) saw him nab second over Vaucelles with the pair 0.5l behind the winner and all six runners within 3l of each other at the line.
“Olivier (Peslier) did well to cover all moves by going forward on the final turn and it was only then that I felt that he had everything under control,” trainer Francis Graffard told Thoroughbred Daily News. “He'll never win in spectacular fashion or by a wide margin, but he's getting stronger and stronger. He's certainly more professional in all that he does, his last race did him the world of good and there is more to come.”
In Swoop further improved the page of New Zealand broodmare Igraine (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}), who is one of three Group winners for their Group 1-winning dam Iota (Ger) (Tiger Hill {Ire}). That mare is also the dam of In Swoop’s Group 1-winning, German champion half-brother Ito (Ger).
In Swoop has provided multiple updates to Igraine since she retired in 2019 with a G1 Deutsches Derby victory and a second in the G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last year. Igraine’s first foal, a Fastnet Rock filly, was born only a few weeks before In Swoop finished second in the G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris. The mare returned to Fastnet Rock last year.
Moody runner gets update with Pradaro win
Pradaro (Fr) (Penny’s Picnic {Ire}) gave plenty of Australian pages a big update on Sunday when he won the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene by a head at Chantilly.
Racing over 1000 metres, Pradaro was one of the first out of the gate and took a firm lead in the compact field. The gelding showed his determination late in the race when he was headed by Berneuil (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and had to find another gear to get his lead back. He was able to reclaim it with 75 metres left with the pair finishing 1.5l ahead of Batwan (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), who had a clear lead over the fourth place finisher.
Pradaro is a half-brother to the dam of Caffrey (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}), who was purchased by Peter Moody as a foal for 22,000 gns (AU$40,249) at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale. Caffrey was transferred to Moody’s charge from David Brideoake after two starts with two wins and two other top two finishes for the trainer. Pradaro’s second dam is also the grandam of G1 Sydney Cup winner The Offer (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), with multiple Australian stakes winner Cylinder Beach (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) and stakes winner Victory Eight (NZ) (Nadeem) hailing from his half-sister Queen’s Colours (GB) (Rainbow Quest {USA}). That mare has an Eminent (Ire) weanling filly and a 2-year-old colt named Eight Cylinders (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) as her two youngest.
Caravaggio’s Dizzy Bizu wins Prix La Fleche
Dizzy Bizu (Ire) gave Caravaggio (USA) his first stakes winner on Sunday with a 1.75l win in the Listed Prix la Fleche over 1000 metres.
Getting in a three way duel for the lead early on, Dizzy Bizu found her best stride late in the race and started to pull away from the field. Anterselva (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) was able to cut that lead down in the closing stages but wasn’t near enough to threaten the win with that filly finishing 1.5l ahead of third-placed Ma Noire (Fr) (American Devil {Fr}).
Dizzy Bizu joins G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Platinum Witness (California Dane) and multiple New Zealand Group winner Zennista (NZ) (Zenno Rob Roy {Jpn}) as just a few of the stakes winners on her page. Platinum Witness is out of multiple New Zealand stakes winner Chartreuse (NZ) (St. Petersburg), whose grandam Najaba (Ire) (Touching Wood) {USA}) was imported to New Zealand. That branch of the family also includes New Zealand stakes-placed Poetic Music (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}).
Ambiorix wins Gold Medallion
The G1 Gold Medallion saw 2-year-old Ambiorix (SAF) (Vercingetorix {SAF}) score his second stakes victory and take his record to two wins in three starts.
Figuring prominently in the 1200 metre race, Ambiorix just had the lead at the 200 metre mark and had to battle with two others for that spot. The colt showed a little greenness while drifting toward the others but had enough of an advantage to win by 1.25l over Bard Of Avon (SAF) (Var {USA}) with Gallic Chief (SAF) (Vercingetorix {SAF}) another 1l back in third.
Leading the first-third finish for his sire, Ambiorix is out of the stakes-winning Darling Moon (SAF) (Indigo Magic {USA}), who is one of three stakes performers for her dam. Each of Ambiorix’s first four dams have produced stakes winners with all coming in South Africa.
Singforafa earns well deserved Group 1
Singforafa (SAF) (Potala Palace {SAF}) already had multiple Group 1 placings on her record but on Sunday, the 4-year-old recorded her first win at the level in the G1 South African Fillies' Sprint.
The 1200 metre race at Scottsville saw Singforafa take the lead early and open up 1l on the field. As they entered the final 200 metres, a few runners tried to run her down but she was never really asked and was well in hand as she hit the line 2l in front of Vernichey (SAF) (Vercingetorix {SAF}), who had to hold off Gallic Princess (SAF) (Vercingetorix {SAF}) by a nose.
A half-sister to an eight time winner, Singforafa is the best of her family for five generations with the only other stakes performer a full sister to her dam.
Battle Force takes out Golden Horse Sprint
Battle Force (SAF) (Act Of War {SAF}) gave his strong family a missing piece of the stakes puzzle on Sunday when he won the G1 Golden Horse Sprint over 1200 metres at Scottsville.
Battle Force raced closest to the stands down the straight just behind the leaders. He started to close the few lengths the leaders had on him as they crossed into the final 400 metres and started drifting in as he took the lead. With 100 metres left to run, the gelding was in a battle with a horse on the far side as Eden Roc (SAF) (Var {USA}) tried to take his lead from him. Pulling a minor upset, Battle Force hung on by 0.25l with race favourite MK’s Pride (SAF) (Willow Magic) another 0.25l back in third with the first six horses within 1l of each other at the line.
Battle Force is one of two runners out of Mataaib (Fr) (Elusive City {USA}), who is a half-sister to two multiple stakes winners and to the dam of another. There are 14 stakes winners under Battle Force’s first three dams with most winning at least one Group stakes, though he is the first Group 1 winner of the bunch.
