French Racing and Trotting - Weekly Round-Up

The Thierry Raffegeau-trained nine-year-old recorded a twenty-fifth career success running out an impressive winner at Vincennes on Friday. 

Always positioned off the pace early on from a confident David Thomain, the son of Legs du Clos made a sweeping move to take up the running at the 1500m stage, and in an impressive turn of foot put distance between himself and his rivals in what looked a strong performance.

The victory completed a hat-trick in this race following wins in 2019 and 2020. It would be no surprise to see this likeable performer returning to Group One company in the future.   

The daughter of Charly du Noyer remains unbeaten in three starts to date taking out the G2 Prix Une de Mai (2175m) recently. She created a good impression winning a Class D event over the same course and distance on her second start and had no problems with this step up in grade. 

The Fabrice Souloy-trained two-year-old showed excellent early speed to secure the lead and always looked tough to beat from there on. It was a well-judged drive from François Lagadeuc as Jamaïca Turbo stretched away to record an impressive reduction kilometre rating of 1'13''3. 

There should be plenty more to come from her in time and she looks to be one of the most exciting young prospects in the two-year-old division.

It was five wins from six career starts when Just A Gigolo reversed the form with Juninho Dry, and took the G2 Prix Emmanuel Margouty (2175m) on Christmas Day. 

The Philippe Allaire-trained colt showed an excellent attitude to fend off a late challenge in what was a dramatic and fast changing affair. With five of the ten breaking stride, including the well fancied pair of Jourdam Seven and Juninho Dry, Franck Nivard did well to navigate a good passage as the race continued to take shape. Sat towards the rear early on, the pair worked their way to the front at the 1000m stage and battled on bravely when joined on the line late. 

There should be further improvement from this son of Boccador de Simm and he looks a highly exciting prospect going forwards. 

Granvillaise Bleue followed up his success in the G2 Prix Edmond Henry (2700m) here with a smooth victory in the G2 Prix Joseph Lafosse (2700m) over the same course and distance. 

Always prominent throughout under Mlle Camille Levesque the pair could be spotted going best turning for home, and when the gap opened in the straight, the daughter of Boccador de Simm quickened up smartly putting distance between her rivals. 

Having already placed on multiple occasions at the highest level it can be expected she takes the step back up to Group One level in the near future.

Bolero Gar comfortably reversed the form with Hacker Boy to secure a first French group success winning the G3 Prix agrifournitures.fr (2175m) last week. It was a seventh career victory from thirty-three starts. 

Positioned second throughout under a confident Paul Philippe Ploquin, the daughter of Varenne looked to be travelling smoothly rounding the final bend. An impressive turn of foot helped put daylight between herself and the rest of the field in the straight, and although her previous conqueror Hacker Boy was closing, it always looked as though she was doing enough.

The Fabrice Souloy-trained filly recorded an impressive kilometre reduction time of 1'11''3 just outside of her personal best. It would be no surprise were further Group success to be on the cards.

Galius secured his place in the G1 Prix d'Amérique (2700m) in January when running out victorious in the G2 Prix d'Amerique Races Zeturf Q4 (2700m) last week. 

Race favourite Ampia Mede Sm was well-fancied having won eight consecutive races, but she broke stride rounding the final bend. Always prominent throughout driver Yoann Lebourgeois opted to take the Mme Séverine Raimond-trained five-year-old to the front just passing halfway. The challengers queued up down the straight but the son of Love You continued bravely turning away event runner-up Empire.

Although qualified Mme Séverine Raimond suggested that the G1 Prix d'Amérique (2700m) may come a year too early and that participation was not guaranteed. 

Godolphin's Pennybaker continued her progression with a first success at stakes level in the Listed Prix Miss Satamixa (1500m) last Monday. 

The three-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro made it four consecutive wins with a comfortable victory under Mickaël Barzalona. Always well positioned throughout she caught the eye entering the straight full of running and when asked to quicken picked up nicely. There should be more progress from her on artificial surfaces and a step up to Group level looks imminent.

Medaglia d'Oro currently stands at Jonabell Farm, Kentucky (USA).

Grand Départ recorded an eighth career success with a comfortable twenty-length win in the Listed Prix du Comté de Nice (4200m) on Christmas Day. 

Held up in rear by jockey Ludovic Philipperon the pair made steady headway throughout before taking the lead full of running two fences from home. The son of Astarabad relished underfoot conditions enhancing his good chase record.

Astarabad is a high-class dual-purpose sire currently standing at Haras Du Gueslan (FR) in Carentoir.