Europe
Inspiral bounces back to best
Frankel (GB) mare Inspiral (GB) put her disappointing run in the G1 Sussex S. behind her, returning to form to land the G1 Jacques Le Marois at Deauville for the second year in succession.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained 4-year-old won by 1.25l, with race favourite Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) second and the Cox Plate-bound Light Infantry (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) third.
Fittingly, it was the final ride at the France track for the great Frankie Dettori.
“She's a fantastic filly and this is my last race at Deauville, so to finish with a win like this is incredible,” the Italian jockey said.
“She's (Inspiral) a fantastic filly and this is my last race at Deauville, so to finish with a win like this is incredible.” - Frankie Dettori
“I was very easy on her at Goodwood, as this was always the target and she showed what a true champion she is.
“I’ve won every race here and 19 Group 1s, so I have great memories, some wonderful days and wonderful nights!”
Gosden Sr added: “Inspiral can be brilliant on her day and was pretty fresh. She’s only run twice this year and came here in top order.”
Inspiral could be aimed towards the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita in November.
“Maybe we will take her to Santa Anita, even though it is a tight track for her,” Gosden Sr said.
Bred and raced by Cheveley Park Stud, Inspiral is from the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S. runner-up Starscope (GB) (Selkirk {USA}) and she herself is a half-sister to the Listed Rosemary S. winner Solar Magic (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). Starscope has also thrown the stakes performer Celestran (GB) (Dansili {GB}).
Wootton Bassett juvenile lands Group 3
The Patrice Cottier-trained Grey Man (Fr) became Wootton Bassett’s (GB) 36th stakes winner and 26th Group scorer when he was much the best in the G3 Prix Francois Boutin S. at Deauville.
The 6/5 favourite prevailed by 1l from the Starspangledbanner colt Mythology (Ire), while Kumite (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) placed third.
“We were convinced beforehand that the horse had a great chance,” said owner Jean-Philippe Dubois. “He had improved again from his last run and today (Sunday) it looked like he had the race won two (furlongs) out.
“For sure, he is a very good one.
“We shall see how he comes out of the race and then we’ll decide what will be next. Right now I don’t know, but there are plenty of opportunities.”
The 2-year-old colt is the eighth of nine foals and one of four winners produced by the G3 Prix d’Aumale and G3 Prix de Psyche victrix Top Toss (Ire) (Linamix {Fr}), herself out of Listed Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial winner Tossup (USA) (Gone West {USA}).
Wootton Bassett will shuttle to Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $93,500 (inc GST).
Listed winner for Justify at the Curragh
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Unless (USA) (Justify {USA}) became her sire’s 16th stakes winner when she took out the Listed John Kennedy Memorial S. at the Curragh.
The 3-year-old claimed victory by 1.75l in the hands of Gary Carroll, with race favourite Azazat (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) second and Alanya (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) third.
“Unless always looked like she would appreciate stepping up to that trip (2000 metres) and she could even get further. The (G1) Yorkshire Oaks (on August 24) is a possibility,” O’Brien said.
Bred by Orpendale and Wynatt and Chelston, Unless is from the 2017 G1 Cheveley Park Stud victress Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) - the Champion 2YO Filly in Europe in 2017 and the Champion 2YO Filly in Ireland and GB in 2017. Clemmie is a sister to the elite-level winner and Group 1-producing sire Churchill (Ire), who will be available to breeders at Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $22,000 (inc GST).
Australia’s reigning Champion First Season Sire, Justify (USA) will also stand at Coolmore Australia, with his fee set at $77,000 (inc GST).
Simca Mille too good for Grosser Preis von Berlin rivals
Four-year-old Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) - a three-time Group 2 scorer back home in France - made the breakthrough in his fourth attempt at the elite level with a decisive win – and a landmark for trainer Stephane Wattel – in an international renewal of Sunday’s G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten.
“It is fantastic for the horse and, I have to admit, it’s very nice for me because it’s my first Group 1 after more than 30 years of training,” an emotional Wattel said.
“Simca Mille is engaged in the (G1 Prix de l') Arc de Triomphe and some good winners of this race have run very well in that race. That should be the next target and it's a very big one.”
Rider Alexis Pouchin cuddled Simca Mille to the line, with the pair owning a 0.75l margin on the line
Simca Mille, who becomes the fourth Group 1 winner for his sire, is from the three-time scorer Swertia (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). His grandam, Sanjida (Ire) (Polish Precedent {USA}), was a winner at two and was placed in the G3 Prix de Conde, G3 Prix Penelope and G3 Prix Cleopatre. Sanjida is kin to three black-type winners, headed by multiple Group 1-winning European champion Sarafina (Fr) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}), herself the dam of Group 3-winning siblings Savarin (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Geniale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
Another stakes win for Exceed And Excel
Andreas Wohler’s Danelo (Ire) (Exceed And Excel) proved far too strong in Sunday’s G3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Sprint at Hoppegarten.
Handled by Eduardo Pedroza, Danelo won by 1.5l for owner-breeder Gestut Ittlingen.
The 5-year-old is from the Group 3 scorer Daksha (Fr) (Authorized {Ire}), making him a half-brother to the Listed winner Vachement (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).
United States of America
Speightstown colt dominates Del Mar Group 3
Second choice Prince Of Monaco (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) got the better of his more fancied Bob Baffert-trained stablemate, odds-on favourite Muth (USA) (Good Magic {USA}), to take Sunday's G3 Best Pal S. at Del Mar by 4.25l.
The winner was ridden by Flavien Prat.
Prat said: “He was very comfortable out there; felt good all the way. I saw the pace was hot and I just waited my turn.
“He’s a nice colt. And yes, I think he can run farther.”
Prince Of Monaco becomes the 138th black-type winner and 65th Graded winner for his sire. Out of the unraced Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Rainier (USA) - a half-sister to the stakes winners Greeley’s Rocket (USA) (Mr Greeley {USA}) and Laurie’s Rocket (USA). Prince of Monaco’s second dam is the stakes performer Clay's Rocket (USA) (American Chance {USA}) - a half-sister to G1 Frizette S. heroine Adieu (USA) (El Corredor {USA}).
Asia
Rulership entire claims G3 Kokura Kinen
Yuga Kawada guided Echt (Jpn) (Rulership (Jpn) to a comfortable victory in Sunday’s G3 Kokura H, handing the 6-year-old his second Graded success, following his triumph in last year’s G3 Tanabata Sho.
Trained by the great Hideyuki Mori, Echt is from the winning Deep Impact (Jpn) mare Hela (Jpn).
Duramente mare on top in G3 Sekiya Kinen
Avverare (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) had to check off heels in the straight, but when the 5-year-old saw clear air, she burst through the pack to score an impressive win in Sunday’s G3 Sekiya Kinen at Niigata.
Avverare was ridden by Keita Tosaki for trainer Tetsuya Kimura.
She is out of the winning Harlan’s Holiday (USA) mare Albiano (USA) - a three-quarter sister to the multiple Grade 1 victress Covfefe (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}).
