Christophe Ferland

After an uncharacteristically poor Arc run and Ganay defeat at the hands of Daryz, Aventure (Sea The Stars) needed a confidence boost and that came in Sunday's G2 Prix Corrida at ParisLongchamp. Back at the scene of her Prix Vermeille success in September and of her gallant second in the 2024 Arc, the Wertheimers' high-class five-year-old went through the 10 1/2-furlong test with all her familiar gusto taking a lead under Maxime Guyon. Sent on two out, the 11-10 favourite responded with relish to seal the result and by the...

Thursday's Prix Suave Dancer at Saint-Cloud featured some exciting newcomers from the leading operations and it was the two Wertheimer colts who came to the fore with Wiki (Make Believe) emerging on top. Sent off at 18-1 for the 10-furlong contest, the Christophe Ferland-trained Wiki raced towards the rear throughout the early stages before being delivered wide in the straight. Gaining the edge over the Wertheimer first-string and Prix du Jockey Club entry Overnight (Night Of Thunder) passing the furlong pole, the homebred showed grit to prevail by a short neck....

As usual, the Wertheimers have an exciting Classic crop and the newcomer Harissa (Wootton Bassett) only added fuel to the fire at Chantilly on Monday. "I think a bit of her and so it's nice to see her confirm it," trainer Christophe Ferland said. "She could go for the Prix du Louvre [conditions race at ParisLongchamp Apr. 16] and then directly to the [May 10] Poule d'Essai des Pouliches." Lining up as the 7-5 favourite for the mile fillies' contest on the Polytrack, the daughter of the G3 Prix d'Arenberg...

Christophe Ferland trainee Double Major (Daiwa Major), who was on the upside of a narrow verdict in last month's G2 Prix Kergorlay, made a successful pitstop and defended his title in Thursday's G3 Prix Gladiateur, remaining on course in his quest to claim an unprecedented third G1 Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud next month. His victory provided owner-breeders Alain and Gerard Wertheimer and rider Maxime Guyon with a clean sweep of ParisLongchamp's three Group races. "This horse is really at his very best during the second part of the season and...

Having played bridesmaid in last year's Qatar Prix Vermeille and in the Arc, the Wertheimers' Aventure (Sea The Stars) put matters right in the first of those this time around without any degree of difficulty to earn a merited initial Group 1 victory. So easily was the homebred able to brush aside the Prix de Diane heroine Gezora (Almanzor) under a confident Maxime Guyon on Sunday, the prospect of her going one better in next month's showcase is now distinctively brighter. "She won very well and accelerated really well," trainer...

Last term's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up Aventure (Sea The Stars) had confirmed her wellbeing at ParisLongchamp last month and continued in similar vein with a comfortable win in Monday's G2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud. Fresh off a 2 1/2-length triumph in the G3 Prix Allez France at the capital's Bois de Boulogne venue, she settled into a smooth rhythm for most of this 10 1/2-furlong test. Cruising forward on the bridle in the straight, the 2-5 favourite quickened smartly to wrest control from last term's G1 Preis...

Far ahead of her peers heading to Sunday's G3 Prix Allez France at ParisLongchamp, the Wertheimers' Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) still had to deliver and in the end it was as straightforward as it gets. Always tanking behind the leader for Maxime Guyon, the Christophe Ferland-trained 3-5 favourite was finally let down to express herself approaching two out and quickly settled the outcome. At the line, the Arc runner-up had 2 1/2 lengths to spare over Mme Jourdain (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). Aventure makes a successful reappearance in the...

Rounding off a spectacular black-type four-timer on ParisLongchamp's Sunday card including all the group-race Classic trials, Mickael Barzalona steered the Wertheimers' Uther (GB) (Camelot {GB}) to a straightforward success in the G3 Prix Noailles. Settled with one behind early, the 5-1 shot who was runner-up in Saint-Cloud's Listed Prix Francois Mathet last month powered to the front 300 metres from the finish en route to a 1 3/4-length success from the operation's other runner and 19-10 favourite Nitoi (Siyouni {Fr}). "He was fit, but will progress from here as he's...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations features siblings to Group 1 winners and offspring of Group 1 winning mares.  14.30 Deauville, Mdn, €30,000, unraced 2yo, c/g, 9 1/2f (AWT) Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's KINDLEO (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is a Christophe Ferland-trained full-brother to last term's G1 Prix de la Foret heroine Kelina (Ire)....

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a Wertheimer homebred. 18.40 Deauville, Mdn, €30,000, 2yo, c/g, 9 1/2f (AWT) Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's PACIFISTE (FR) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), one of two homebred newcomers entered, is a son of GI American Oaks and GI Del Mar Oaks heroine Lady Of Shamrock (Scat Daddy) and...

Chantilly's Tuesday card opened with a fascinating newcomers' event and played host to a winner with considerable promise in the Wertheimers' Uther (GB) (Camelot {GB}--Sosia {Ger}, by Shamardal). A half-brother to this year's G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero and G1 Prix du Jockey Club third Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the Christophe Ferland-trained homebred sauntered in behind the early leader for Maxime Guyon enjoying perfect cover. Taking control approaching the furlong pole thanks to a sharp 10.84 penultimate split, the 8-5 favourite finished off with a finale in...

Relishing the heavy ground at Saint-Cloud on Sunday, the Wertheimers' Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}--Dancequest {Ire}, by Dansili {GB}) successfully defended his crown in the feature G1 Prix Royal-Oak. Tracking the leader Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) from the break, the 13-2 shot was committed by Maxime Guyon with 300 metres remaining and stayed on strongly to deny the 23-10 favourite Sevenna's Knight (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) by 1 1/4 lengths, with Trueshan a head away in third. "I am very proud of him," trainer Christophe Ferland said. "Last year, we...