After a highly promising start when successful over this trip at Saint-Cloud Mar. 12, Mekhtaal was upset when second as the 2-5 favourite for a conditions race at the same distance at Maisons-Laffitte last time Apr. 13. Showing his true colours with a command performance in this G1 Prix du Jockey Club trial, the chestnut was sent to the lead after the initial strides by Gregory Benoist and surged away from overmatched rivals in the straight to hit the line strong with daylight to spare over Thewayyouwish. “It is best to forget his last race, as he banged himself coming out of the gates and lost his balance and never travelled,” trainer Jean-Claude Rouget commented. “He still ran a good race, but we saw the real Mekhtaal today. He's a very nice sort and will most probably go straight to the G1 Prix du Jockey Club [at Chantilly June 5].” The winner's dam is the G3 Prix Fille de l'Air winner Aiglonne, who is making a real name for herself as a producer courtesy of the likes of Democrate, who took this race eight years ago, and the GIII Long Island H. scorer Aigue Marine. Aiglonne's half-sister Gaily Tiara (Caerleon) produced the G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Germance to a mating with Silver Hawk and is from the immediate family of the champions White Muzzle (GB) (Dancing Brave) and Almutawakel (GB) (Machiavellian). Aiglonne also has a 2-year-old by New Approach (Ire) named Aiguillon (Ire) and a yearling filly by Dawn Approach (Ire).Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Sunday, Deauville, France
PRIX HOCQUART-G2, €130,000, DVL, 5-15, 3yo, c/f, 10fT, 2:07.03, gd.
1–#@MEKHTAAL (GB), 128, c, 3, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Aiglonne (GSW-Fr & GSP-US, $139,160), by Silver Hawk
2nd Dam: Majestic Role (Fr), by Theatrical (Ire)
3rd Dam: Autocratic (Ire), by Tyrant
(€300,000 Ylg '14 ARAUG). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Haras du Mezeray & Skymarc Farm (GB); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Gregory Benoist. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, €93,400. *1/2 to Aigue Marine (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), MGSW-US & SW-Fr, $423,555; Democrate (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), GSW-Fr, $139,381; and Apophis (Ire) (Rainbow Quest), SP-Fr, $176,569. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
[bullet ad=”mandore-purchased-by”]2–Thewayyouwish (Ire), 128, c, 3, Thewayyouare–Faby Douglas (Ire), by Danetime (Ire). (9,000gns Ylg '14 TAOCT; €15,000 2yo '15 BBAPR). O-Claudio Marzocco; B-Samuel William Ormsby (IRE); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €28,600.
3–Royal Julius (Ire), 128, c, 3, Royal Applause (GB)–Hflah (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire). (25,000gns Wlg '13 TATFOA; €40,000 Ylg '14 ARAUG). O-Mme Jade Prescillia Angelini; B-Old Carhue Stud (IRE); T-Antoine de Watrigant. €13,650.
Margins: 6, HF, HF. Odds: 2.30, 13.00, 6.70.
Also Ran: Dalgarno (Fr), Barwod (GB), Ventura Storm (Ire), Incitator (Fr).
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