The Group I Deauville Prix Morny (6f) was run overnight in France with the race expected to be a hot contest between brilliant Justify filly Ramatuelle and unbeaten Wootton Bassett colt River Tiber and so it was, but the trouble came when there was also a high class colt in front of them at the finish.
Ramatuelle got to the front and looked set to win with River Tiber closing late out of the pack, but his finish was not as quick as Havana Grey colt Vandeek, who hit the line in relentless fashion to snatch a short neck victory from the filly at the post in a high class renewal of this prestige juvenile event.
Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford and ridden by Andrea Atzeni, Vandeek was also undefeated coming into the race with a maiden victory last month followed by a win in the Group II Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.
He kept his record at a perfect three for three in becoming the first Group I winner for Whitsbury Manor Stud’s young sire Havana Grey, a fast Group I winning sprinter by Teofilo sire Havana Gold.
“It was a huge display and a big performance,” Ed Crisford said.
“I thought the filly's turn of foot was fantastic and I thought we weren't going to claw her back, but to be fair to him he's stuck to his guns and stuck his head down and he's a really high-quality colt. We were behind a few horses and I saw Andrea looking for a gap and he couldn't quite find one, but once he got out he's picked up really well in that ground and he's a proper horse with a big future, hopefully. He could go further in time, but I think he's got so much speed being by Havana Grey that we'll aim for the Middle Park and then take it from there.”
Vandeek was bred by Maywood Stud and has been through the Tattersalls sale ring three times making 52,000 guineas as a foal, 42,000 guineas as a yearling and then a whopping 625,000 guineas when he was the equal highest priced horse sold at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale this year. Where he was bought by Anthony Stroud on behalf of KHK Racing
Vandeek is the best of five winners from five foals to race from Mosa Mine, a placed Exceed and Excel mare from the family of outstanding shuttle sire Anabaa (USA).
He is also the best of 13 stakes-winners by Hanava Grey, who stands at a fee of 18,500 pounds with his oldest progeny just three year-olds. He’s running at 8.3% SW to runner, so is a young sire very clearly on the up.
Footnote: Connections of the place-getters Ramatulle and River Tiber were also pleased with the performance of their horses, who will both go on to further Group I races.
“She ran a blinder again–it's amazing what this filly is capable of,” said Ramatuelle's trainer Christopher Head.
“A small tiny filly among those gigantic colts! It was a great performance, there is no shame in losing. We will discuss the next race with all the partners, but she is in the Cheveley Park and the Lagardere.”
River Tiber has had to overcome an issue since his win at Royal Ascot in the Group II Coventry Stakes and will take improvement from this outing.
“He had a muscle pull behind a little over two weeks ago and I really didn't think he'd make it,” said Aidan O’Brien.
“He just lacked a little bit of drive early, so he was back a long ways and Ryan had to give him a chance to loosen up. When he did, he came home very well so we were very happy with the run. We'll see how he is and then make a plan.”
