Cover image courtesy of International Federation of Horseracing Authority
France
Almanzor’s Gezora wins G1 Prix de Diane
By Tom Frary, TDN Europe
Francis-Henri Graffard looked set to have the one-two-three in Sunday's G1 Prix de Diane Longines heading to the closing stages, but while that didn't transpire France's pre-eminent trainer of 2025 was ultimately in the right place as Gezora (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}) brought it home. Continuing the timeless love affair between American interests and French racing, the daughter of the 2006 Diane runner-up Germance (Fr) (Silver Hawk {USA}) proved strongest in the Chantilly Classic to complete the Saint-Alary-Diane double for Peter Brant's White Birch Farm.
Needing room in early straight as Graffard's third-string Cankoura (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}) pressed the yard's 100-30 favourite Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), she emerged from the pocket to complete a line of three in front for Graffard with 100 metres to race.
Any dreams of a Classic trifecta were dashed soon after by Ballydoyle's revitalised Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), but while that raider posed a genuine threat for a few strides Gezora had vital first run to claim the prize by a length. Cankoura plugged on to be half a length away in third, while the too-free Mandanaba shaped like a non-stayer 1.25l further back in fourth.
“She's a wonderful filly who tries so hard and has a great attitude,” Brant said. “I think it's probably one of the three or four races I've dreamt of winning. I think it's the greatest 3-year-old filly race–it's always stiff competition and I'm very proud and happy to win it. It's a very difficult race to predict–we were second with Sistercharlie, who was a great filly but couldn't win this because she got into trouble. She will continue her career in France.”
“I think it's the greatest 3-year-old filly race–it's always stiff competition and I'm very proud and happy to win it.” - Peter Brant
Graffard added, “Gezora continued to progress so much after the Saint-Alary and was at the top of her condition for the big day–I didn't really know where her limit was and it's not a surprise for me to see her win. She is an easy, professional filly and by winning this she benefits from a wild-card for the Arc. We're not closing any doors, especially since we know that she loves soft ground. It's a huge emotion, with my father being here. He has always been a great support to me, even if he doesn't belong in the racing world at all–he dreamed of me becoming a Formula 1 driver!”
Francis-Henri Graffard | Image courtesy of Graffard Racing
Gezora, who becomes the second Classic winner for Almanzor following the recent G2 Derby Italiano hero Molveno (GB) and third Group 1 winner overall, continues the unstoppable momentum behind Wootton Bassett (GB) who had already accounted for this year's winners of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains. She is also the last known foal out of Silver Hawk's Germance, who was beaten only by Confidential Lady (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) in the 2006 renewal of this prize.
The third dam is the Listed Tyros Stakes winner and G1 Prix de la Salamandre runner-up Majestic Role (Fr) (Theatrical {Ire}), whose G3 Prix Fille de l'Air-winning daughter Aiglonne (USA) also by Silver Hawk was later responsible for a trio of Group winners headed by Sea The Stars (Ire)'s G1 Prix d'Ispahan-winning sire Mekhtaal (GB). This is also the family of the G1 Derby Italiano hero and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up White Muzzle (GB) and the G1 Dubai World Cup hero Almutawakel (GB).
Goffs London entry Rafale Design adds Group 3
By Tom Frary, TDN Europe
Taking charge at Chantilly on Sunday, Christophe Soumillon supplemented his Diane success with the card's G3 Prix du Lys Longines as Rafale Design (Ire) capped another stellar afternoon for the Belgian. Coming off a win in ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix Hocquart last month, the Yann Barberot-trained son of Starspangledbanner was launched from rear to swoop on Surabad (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) and Oracle (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) with 300 metres remaining and assert to beat that duo by 2.5 margins.
Entered in Monday's Goffs London Sale, the G1 Grand Prix de Paris entry provides his many owners including Cormac Farrell and Laurent Dassault with an enviable quandary. “I have rarely trained a horse of such quality–he's really good,” Barberot said. “I needed this race to get him to the Grand Prix de Paris. I think he's really made for that. What will happen tomorrow will happen, but I will have done my job.”
Rafale Design is out of Fashion Design (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), a full-sister to the Listed Prix Michel Houyvet winner and G3 Prix de Lutece-placed Only A Pleasure (Ire). Their dam is the GI Matron Stakes heroine Sense Of Style (USA) (Thunder Gulch {USA}), one of two top-level winners out of Save Me The Waltz (Ire) alongside the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine and Stakes producer Valentine Waltz (Ire) (Be My Guest {USA}). He is from the esteemed family of Pivotal (GB)'s G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois heroine Immortal Verse (Ire) and therefore Wootton Bassett (GB)'s recent G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Henri Matisse (Ire).
Japan
Second Breeders’ Cup entry for Japanese-trained horses
by Heather Anderson, TDN Europe
A berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in the autumn was on the line in Sunday's 2200 metre G1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin, and 10-1 chance Meisho Tabaru (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) landed a mild upset in pillar-to-post fashion. He is the second Japanese horse to punch his ticket to the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar this month, after Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice {USA}) won last Sunday's G1 Yasuda Kinen, a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile.
The seventh pick in the 17-horse field, Meisho Tabaru was steered immediately to the vanguard and opened up on the field passing the winning post for the first time. Clicking off easy fractions of :23.40 for the first 400m, :46.90 for the 800m, and 1:11.30 for 1200m, he cut the corner into the final bend. Meisho Tabaru came under heavy pressure, but cued by veteran Yutaka Take while still glued to the fence, the eventual winner found more in the straight to win cozily. Race favourite Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) unleashed a withering rally inside the final furlong, but Meisho Tabaru had built up too much cushion. The margin at the wire was 3l, with Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) a neck back in third.
“My plan was to take the lead, and although I was unsure about the pace, I think we were able to race at just the right pace,” said 56-year-old Take, who was winning his 84th Japanese Group 1 title. He has now won five Takarazuka Kinens, the other being in 1986 with Inari One, in 1993 with Mejiro McQueen, in 1997 with Marvelous Sunday and in 2006 with Deep Impact. “I knew the other horses were going to make bid early but my mount had good momentum going around the fourth corner and I was hoping that he would manage to push through.”
“My plan was to take the lead, and although I was unsure about the pace, I think we were able to race at just the right pace,” - Yutaka Take
Meisho Tabaru is the second Group 1 winner for Stay Gold after G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) heroine Uberleben (Jpn). He is also one of 10 stakes winners for the Big Red Farm-based sire. The fifth foal and third winner out of the dual winner Meisho Tsubakuro (Jpn) (French Deputy {USA}) who is a half-sister to G2 Kyoto Daishoten winner Meisho Kampaku (Jpn) (Grass Wonder {USA}).
