French Oaks queen Blue Rose Cen was not the only impressive filly seen in action at Chantilly on Sunday trained by Christopher Head and ridden by Aurelien Lemaitre with exciting Justify (USA) two year-old Ramatuelle blitzing the opposition to win the Group III Prix du Bois (1200m).
A winner on debut and then a close second at her next start, Ramatuelle stormed past her rivals to win by five lengths running away.
“She's really suited by races of this profile and I don't want to leave her vulnerable by stretching her out yet when we have a nice programme for her to follow," said Christopher Head.
"We needed her to show up today to prove we could go on to the next race, which will be the Prix Robert Papin (G2). The main idea of course is the Prix Morny (G1), that's what we're all dreaming of."
Bred by Yeguada Centurion SLU, who also bred and race Blue Rose Cen, Ramatuelle was sold as a yearling at the Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale for 100,000 euros and runs for a syndicate that includes Infinity Nine Horses, the bloodstock investment portfolio of NBA All Star Tony Parker.
“We have some great partners, we're creating some great relationships and we feel very blessed,” said NBA All-Star Tony Parker.
“We had a great experience with [G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner] Mangoustine last year and here we are winning another big race. It's unbelievable. It's all you can ask, to have a horse that allows you to dream, and we are really excited after this win. There was no panic and we weren't disheartened by her defeat last time and, hopefully, she recuperates well and is ready to go for her next target.”
Ramatuelle is the first winner for multiple Group winning sprinter Raven’s Lady, rated the Champion German Sprinter of 2018. By Raven’s Pass, she comes from the family of Group I winner Best of the Bests and high class Group winning stayer Prince of Arran.
Ramatuelle is the 12th stakes-winner for Justify, who returns to Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $77,000.
