Cover image courtesy of Scoop Dyga
Hurricane Lane blows through Grand Prix de Paris
The in-form Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) made easy work of the G1 Grand Prix de Paris on Wednesday with an easy 6l victory at Longchamp.
Racing over 2400 metres, William Buick asked the colt for his best 600 metres from the line and the colt eagerly responded. With 200 metres left, he continued to draw away with the bigger battle happening for second when Wordsworth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) ran down Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in the final 100 metres to beat that foe by 1.25l.
“For him, the pace felt normal which is the sign of a good horse and you could see from the 400-metre marker his turn of foot,” Buick told Thoroughbred Daily News. “He has a very good mind and is a beautiful horse. This track is perfect for him and he liked the ground, which is on the easy side of good–it's taken the rain very well–so I'm sure the team will consider him for the Arc in October.”
Continuing Frankel’s (GB) banner season, Hurricane Lane was the second stakes winner of the day for Frankel alongside Mehnah (GB) in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cairn Rouge S. at Killarney in Ireland.
Hurrican Lane is a full brother to the stakes-placed Frankel’s Storm (Ire) who in turn is out of the stakes winner Gale Force (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}). That mare is a half-sister to Champion Seal Of Approval (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) and from the family of Australian stakes winners Haripour (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) and Big Duke (Ire) (Raven’s Pass {USA}).
Hurricane Lane (Ire) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Valia determined in Prix Radio FG
It was another update for shuttle stallion Vadamos’ (Fr) family when Valia (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) won Wednesday’s G2 Prix Radio FG.
Second both times out in 2021, Valia was tired of being a bridesmaid and was more than happy to go to work when Christophe Soumillion asked for her best 300 metres out. Her budding rivalry with Skazino (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) saw her get the upper hand this time when collaring him in the final strides to win by a head after finishing second to him in May.
Valia comes from a strong Aga Khan family with her dam a half-sister to the New Zealand Group 1-placed galloper Vadavar (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice), who is in training with Lauren Brennan for Horse Feng Bloodstock in the country.
