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News In Brief of French Racing and Trotting - 28th April 2021.
This week's News In Brief includes an interesting French jump horse transferring stables, G3 Prix du Président de la République Chase (4700m), development at Deauville plus much more.
Jumps
Second on his debut in the Prix Grandak hurdle at Auteuil the son of Kapgarde, Magistrato has left David Cottin to join top UK trainer Paul Nicholls. Purchased by J.H Bloodstock Ltd the well-bred four-year-old has clearly been placed into the limelight thanks to victories from Adrien du Pont and Samarrive (both purchased by the former).
There was a place in history for Fanfaron Spécial who became the third horse to complete the Listed Prix Lutteur III Handicap Chase (4400m) and the G3 Prix du Président de la République Chase (4700m). He stands alongside Rambranlt (1989) and Kelthomas (2016). Both were trained by Jean-Marc Baudrelle.
The 2020 season did not go to plan for the champion hurdling mare L'Autonomie but she bounced back to form with victory in the G2 Prix Léon Rambaud Hurdle (4300m). This looks sure to set up a fascinating battle in the G1 Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil Hurdle (5100m) on Saturday May 22nd.
Jockey Raphaël Mayeur was hospitalised after falling on Frustrated Desires at Fontainebleau in the Prix de la Mare à Piat last Tuesday. He was transferred to Paris on Wednesday morning before being operated on Friday at the Georges-Pompidou Hospital. A similar incident occurred on Thursday morning as young amateur Thomas Journiac suffered a nasty fall riding out for David Cottin. Victim of a broken eighth dorsal he will be absent from the saddle for five months.
Flat
Originally scheduled to take place at Deauville on the 13th and 14th May, the Arqana breeze up has been moved to Doncaster (UK). The breeze ups will take place on Wednesday 26th May from 12 noon, with horses passing through the ring on Friday, May 28th at 11am. With more than 80% of the two-year-olds catalogued being currently based in Ireland the decision was taken to aid with border regulations.
The impressive winner of the G3 Prix Pénélope (2100m), Philomène looks set to drop back in trip to take up her classic engagement in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Fillies (1600m). This daughter of Dubawi has been imperious in both starts to date. Trainer Andre Fabre sees the race as a nice steppingstone towards the 2100m classics and she will look to step back up in trip in the future.
The high-class Godolphin duo Victor Ludorum and Magny Cours are likely to make their respective returns at Saint-Cloud this weekend. The former will look to line up in the G2 Prix du Muguet (1600m) with the latter expected to take place in the G1 Prix Ganay (2100m).
Deauville AW will become the first French racecourse to implement new 100% LED lighting. The installation of the runway lighting masts on the fibresand (P.S.F.) will start in May. The development is expected to last six months and be completed in November 2021. The addition will allow winter meetings to start later fitting and as these meetings prove attractive to punters, this will coincide with the betting development strategy.
Trot
Solvalla executives distributed three invitation cards for the G1 Elitloppet (1609m) to take place on Saturday 30th May. The pink ticket was of course eagerly awaited in the camp of Vivid Wise As winner of G1 Prix de l'Atlantique (2150m) on Saturday. The five-year-old Aetos Kronos has also received an invitation following his good winter meeting in Paris, culminated by a victory in the G2 Prix Bold Eagle (2100m). The third invitation went to five-year-old Swedish horse Don Fanucci Zet.
The Sylvain Roger's-trained Idylle du Châtault won the Prix de la Porte Maillot at Enghien on Thursday. This success was the trainer's first victory at Enghien in almost five years! His last winners were Dollar's Bad Boy and none other than Delia du Pommereux when she was a three-year-old!
Main Wise As won the G1 Prix de l'Atlantique (2150m) in 2011 and 2011. It was therefore interesting to see full-sister Apple Wise As score on the same card last Saturday winning the Class A Prix de Argonne (2150m) in style recording a fine last kilometre rating. She showed a good turn of foot at the exit of the last corner putting distance between herself and Giant Chief. Driver Frank Nivard was very complimentary of the second placed horse giving plenty of optimism going forward in the Jean-Michel Bazire camp.
Fabrice Souloy has regained his trainers license after four years suspension following positive tests in Scandinavia and France. From this Friday onwards, the horses of Philippe Billard at Haras de Ginai will be declared again under the name of Fabrice Souloy including the champion Gu d'Héripré.
Thierry Duvaldestin has received a one month ban for his altercation with fellow driver Alexis Collette on Sunday 11th April at Rambouillet. The incident had been compared to that at Hyères last July which resulted in Junior Guelpa being sentenced to two months layoff.