ParisLongchamp

At Wednesday's forfeit stage for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, both set for Sunday at ParisLongchamp, the G1 2000 Guineas and G1 1000 Guineas winners Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) and Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) both remained among the entries for their respective divisions. Also among the 13 colts still signed on for the Poulains are G1 Dewhurst S. winner St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}); G1 Prix Jean Luc Lagardere victor Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}); G1 Criterium International runner-up Normandy Bridge...

There was more Boudot magic at ParisLongchamp on Sunday as "PC" made all to draw the sting from all rivals and land the G1 Prix Ganay with the rapid improver Mare Australis (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Always highly-regarded and now an entirely different proposition from the greenhorn of last summer, Gestut Schlenderhan's homebred had offered a glimpse of what was to come when second on his return to Skalleti (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) in the 10-furlong G2 Prix d'Harcourt at this venue Apr. 11. Asked a new question by his rider on...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features 'TDN Rising Star' Wensleydale (GB) (Frankel {GB}). 4.20 ParisLongchamp, Cond, €35,000, 3yo, f, 8fT WENSLEYDALE (GB) (Frankel {GB}) bids to justify TDN Rising Star status having impressed for Juddmonte and Henri-Francois Devin on debut over this trip at Saint-Cloud 15 days ago. The daughter of the...

Last year's G3 Prix des Chenes winner Policy of Truth (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) was giving another nod to Van Gogh (American Pharoah) on Sunday as he captured ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix de Fontainebleau. Last seen trailing that Ballydoyle blueblood when fourth in Saint-Cloud's G1 Criterium International in October which has also been boosted by La Barrosa (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), the imposing bay who races for Haras du Logis Saint Germain and trainer Pia Brandt was on the rail with two behind early. Angled out for his run by the...

Entering Sunday's G3 Prix la Grotte at ParisLongchamp a live outsider, Ecurie Waldeck's Cirona (GB) (Maxios {GB}) proved more than just that when edging a five-way thriller. Runner-up in the G3 Prix des Reservoirs at Deauville in October and in the Listed Criterium du Languedoc at Toulouse the following month, the wide-drawn 18-1 shot was soon in front under Maxime Guyon and looked set to be swamped in the final furlong as a flurry of attacks were launched to her left. Digging in when headed, she was game against the...

White Birch Farm's Cheshire Academy (Fr) (Flintshire {GB}), who was victorious over 10 furlongs at Pau in both prior starts, retained his perfect record--after a fashion--when stewards intervened to promote the Jean-Claude Rouget trainee from a second-place finish, at the expense of 4-5 favourite Pretty Tiger (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), in Sunday's G3 Prix Noailles at ParisLongchamp. The 37-10 chance was slowest away and raced towards the rear until turning for home in this black-type bow. Nudged along to reduce arrears with 500 metres remaining, he came under increased...

It was all about Frankel (GB) in Sunday's G3 Prix Vanteaux at ParisLongchamp, with the Juddmonte giant supplying the first two fillies home in this early Prix de Diane pointer. While the market spoke very much in the favour of Petricor (GB) carrying the green-and-pink livery, it was the 14-1 shot Rumi (Fr) who had first run on that rival to upset the odds. Racing for Al Shira'aa Farms, the latter who had won in impressive style on her sole 2-year-old start over this course and distance in October and...

There is no doubt that the Flat is back on Sunday, with the action at Leopardstown and ParisLongchamp featuring several Classic contenders jostling for position. In the G3 Ballylinch Stud "Priory Belle" 1000 Guineas Trial at the Foxrock venue, Coolmore hold a strong hand with last year's G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Shale (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) saddled with just a three-pound penalty despite those exploits. Ryan Moore has picked her over Aidan O'Brien's promising maiden winners Empress Josephine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Joan of Arc  (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), with their...

France Galop has confirmed that racing will be allowed to continue in the country during the new lockdown which came into force at midnight on Thursday. The action will return to being staged behind closed doors with only key personnel allowed to attend. The trainer and one member of staff per runner will be permitted but owners and spectators are no longer allowed to be present at race meetings in France. The current restrictions are expected to be in place for at least a month. A statement released by the...

Set against the gloom of a damp autumn day, Sunday's G1 Prix Royal-Oak belonged to the Brits as Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) made all under Joe Fanning to take the ParisLongchamp feature. Always content on the front end as he had been when registering a 15-length success in similarly testing conditions in Goodwood's G3 March S. Aug. 29, the 6-1 shot drifted left into the centre of the track up the home straight but was as resolute as could be expected of a Mark Johnston representative. At the line, the...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Insights features three well-bred Wertheimer et Frere representatives. 1.10 ParisLongchamp, Debutantes, €22,000, 2yo, c/g, 9fT ZILEO (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is one of three well-connected Wertheimer representatives in this contest and is the son of the multiple graded-stakes placed Lady Zuzu (Dynaformer) who cost the operation $2.35million at the...

2020 G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}-Starlet's Sister {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) has been retired and will take up stallion duties at Coolmore Stud in Ireland, owner Peter Brant announced on Tuesday. A colourbearer for Brant's White Birch Farm initially with Coolmore buying a 50% interest earlier this year, the 2019 French highweight's fee will be announced later. "A world champion at three and now an Arc winner at four, I have decided to retire Sottsass after what he has achieved," said Brant. "He...