Palace Pier scores second le Marois
Palace Pier’s (GB) (Kingman {GB}) second trip to France went just as well as his first when the 4-year-old won his second straight G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
The 1600-metre race was slated to be an exciting match up between the winner and Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) and that’s exactly what it turned into. Poetic Flare was the first to take command as they raced through the final 200 metres but Palace Pier upset the 3-year-old’s chance at victory when snatching the lead near the line. In the end, he finished 0.25l ahead of Poetic Flare with Order Of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) 1.75l back.
“I love the horse, he's the best miler I've ridden,” jockey Frankie Dettori told Thoroughbred Daily News. “He's beautiful. He's got everything, pace, a turn of foot and goes on any ground. We were rushing to get him here today, he lost a bunch of work, but he's so good we got away with it.”
A five-time Group 1 winner, Palace Pier is out of a half-sister to former Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse trainee Bonfire (GB) (Manduro {Ger}). She is also a half-sister to Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Joviality (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}).
Star Devine secures stakes victory in Galway
Fastnet Rock’s 3-year-old daughter Star Devine (Ire) registered her first stakes victory in her fourth career stakes on Sunday in the Galway S. at Saratoga.
Racing in midpack early in the 1100-metre race, the filly went seven wide as they entered the stretch to start her challenge. Racing alongside Illegal Smile (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) as they went for the lead, Star Divine took command in the shadow of the wire to beat Illegal Smile by a head with Bye Bye (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) another head back in third.
“I thought she was going to come from a little bit off the pace, but she broke so sharply and Johnny (Velazquez, jockey) just took advantage of it,” said trainer Jorge Abreu. “I knew she was going to run well. She was just looking for a little cut back. She’s better going short than going long."
Out of a Galileo (Ire) daughter to repeat a successful cross for Fastnet Rock, Star Devine’s winning dam is a half-sister to dual Classic winner Blue Bunting (USA) (Dynaformer {USA}) and a full sister to the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Exemplar (Ire). The family also includes Australian Group 3 winner Silverball (Fr) (Kahyasi {Ire}), who retired in 2016.
Double Or Bubble gives Exceed second European stakes winner of weekend
For the second straight day, Exceed And Excel registered a stakes winner in England when Double Or Bubble (Ire) won the Listed EBF Stallions Highfield Farm Flying Fillies’ S. at Pontefract.
Putting on the pressure from the start of the 1200-metre race, Double Or Bubble was pushed by jockey Jack Mitchell to take the lead just before they entered the final 400 metres. She opened up 2l on the field and Mitchell kept at her to maintain that lead to the wire. Shepherds Way (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) tried to chase her down but made no serious threat with the third-placed Glesga Gal (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) another 5l back.
Double Or Bubble is a full sister to Group 3 winner Mix And Mingle (Ire) with her dam also producing Exceed And Excel’s two-time winner Semai (Ire). Their dam is a half-sister to Group 2 winner and G1 St Leger second High Accolade (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}) and multiple stakes-placed Oasis Knight (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}).
