It’s all happening in France at present with the Arqana August Yearling Sale in full swing and an action packed program of Group racing at Deauville on Sunday, so let’s take a look at the winners with champion sire Frankel delivering a stakes double headed by his superstar filly Inspiral.
A homebred for Cheveley Park trained by John and Thady Gosden, Inspiral was the Champion 2YO Filly last season and returned to win the Group I Royal Ascot Coronation Stakes before being beaten for the first time in her life when second in the Group I Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.
She bounced back for Frankie Dettori to score a neck win in the Group I Prix Jacques le Marois (1600m) over Light Infantry, a progressive 3YO colt that was making news last week when his purchase by Australian owners was announced.
Trained by David Simcock, Light Infantry was bought by a group of Australian owners headed by Ozzie Kheir with the purpose of coming out here for the Golden Eagle this year and then returning to the UK to be prepared for Royal Ascot next year.
A Group III winner and now twice Group I placed, Light Infantry has the promising record of two wins and two seconds from five starts and if he gets here in good order could give the Golden Eagle a mighty shake!
“We're very pleased Light Infantry had a gallop to run at today which was good and a mile was always going to suit him better and he's run a personal best. He'll probably go straight to the Golden Eagle in Sydney in October and that'll be his last run of the year,” said David Simcock,
The race winner Inspiral has more Group I aspirations before the end of the year.
“It wasn't really as though Inspiral was out of form (in the Falmouth) last time but, unfortunately, it was a small field, she didn't get any cover, she over-raced and didn't have much left at the end,” revealed her trainer John Gosden.
“There was a strong pace today and she switched off and relaxed, which is the key to her and she showed plenty of courage. You could go to a Matron or to a Sun Chariot but I would be inclined to freshen up for the QE11.”
Frankel made it a Group double when his three year-old filly Eternal Pearl won the Group III Prix Minerve (2500m) for Godolphin.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, she was a last start Listed winner at Newmarket and has now won three of six starts.
A 700,000 guinea purchase for Godolphin from the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1, Eternal Pearl is the best of two winners from stakes-winning Oasis Dream mare Pearly Steph, a three-quarter sister to this year’s Group II winner Peals Galore.
The Godolphin team struck again in the Group III Prix Francois Boutin (1400m) with their homebred two year-old Dark Angel colt Mysterious Night scoring his first Black Type win.
Group placed at his previous two runs, Mysterious Night was a short priced favourite and won by half a length.
Easy to spot with his big baldy face and flashy white socks, Mysterious Night is a full brother to dual Group I winner Althiqa from stakes-winning Shamardal mare Mistrusting. He is the 91st stakes-winner for his sire Dark Angel.
Almanzor made his presence felt with his three year-old colt Lassaut winning the Listed Prix Nureyev (2000m) by a commanding two and a half lengths.
Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, Lassaut was tested in Group I company at his past two starts finishing midfield, but dropped back in grade showed his class to score a barnstorming victory and has won three of six starts.
The third stakes-winner worldwide for Cambridge Stud shuttler Almanzor, he is the best of two winners from Lady Family, an unraced Sinndar half-sister to Group II winner Family One.
