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News In Brief of French Racing and Trotting - 1st June 2022.
Flat
Impressive three-year-old colt L'Astronome remains undefeated in 2022 after winning the Prix Hocquart (G2) at Longchamp last Thursday. He won both starts this season, at Chantilly followed by a Class 1 at Longchamp. Stepped up to 2200m L'Astronome is a quality stayer in the making and his initial target will be the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) over 2400m in mid-July. He prefers a firm track.
Undefeated in two outings for the Haras de Hus stud this season, previous G1 winning mare Grand Glory will next venture to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales's Stakes (Gr1) on Wednesday, June 15. Originally expected to run in the Prix Corrida (Gr2) last week trainer Gianluca Bietolini is confident she is at her peak for the feature 2000m G1 in open company. She previously beat all-age horses in the G3 Grand Prix de Vichy and ran a very credible fifth in the Japan Cup last November. Following Ascot G1, suitable races she could contest include redefending her title in the Prix Jean Romanet (unlikely), Prix Vermeille, then either the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe or Prix de l'Opéra.
Australian star racehorse Verry Elleegant arrived at Chantilly after her lengthy journey. The 2021 Melbourne Cup (Gr1) victor is the winner of eleven Gr1 races. She will be trained by Francis-Henri Graffard. On social media he announced "I am delighted to welcome Verry Elleegant. She arrived around 2:30am. Apparently, she travelled very well…she is very calm and relaxed in her quarantine box…Everything is fine!"
Promising three-year-old Sir Bob Parker was being aimed for the Epsom Derby (Gr1) to be run next Saturday however trainer David Menuisier has advised he is injured and will be sidelined for a short time.
Egot, winner of the Prix du Palais-Royal (Gr3) at Longchamp on Sunday will be aimed for the Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr1) at Deauville in August. Under a weight penalty second home Marianafoot, who won this race last year before scoring in the Deauville feature sprint, is also expected to return to challenge his crown in the 1300m event.
Breizh Sky won the Prix Hunyade over 1200m at St Cloud by eight lengths. He has since been part-sold and will continue under the training of Alessandro Botti who remains a part owner. Next objective will be the Prix Roland de Chambure (L) on July 10 at Deauville over 1400m followed by the Prix La Rochette (Gr3) at Longchamp. From there, if he measures up, the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1) will be his ultimate target.
Champion jockey and horse racing legend Lester Piggott who passed away at the weekend won many of the world's greatest races. In France success in feature races included three Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe's – Rheingold (1973), Alleged (1977 & 1978); Prix du Jockey Club – Hard to Beat (1972); Prix de Diane - Mrs Penny (1980), Madam Gay (1981) and Lypharita (1985;) Grand Prix de Paris – Roll of Honour (1970), Sagaro (1974).
Torquator Tasso winner of last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe returned to the track on Sunday at Baden-Baden in a G2 but could only manage sixth of the seven runners beaten almost eighteen lengths, being eased over the final 200m. Track conditions were very different to Longchamp, but it was a disappointing return to the track.
Do Deuce won the Japanese Derby at the weekend. Crowned two-year-old Champion he will now be set for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Jockey Yutaka Take, well known in France, is expected to be retained to ride the colt on his French campaign. Do Deuce is trained by Yasuo Tomomichi who previously brought three-year-old Derby winner Makahiki to France in 2016 where he won the Prix Niel (G2) but finished downfield in the Arc (held at Chantilly). Connections are keen to make the trip to France.
Jump
Race One at Le Lion-d'Angers last Thursday, a hurdle, saw jockey Johnny Charron riding Desiro. He suffered a fall which resulted in an injury after being trampled including a fracture of the cervical and lumbar apophyses and a broken rib or two. It was also discovered he had suffered a broken scapula. Fortunately, the fall happened after the Grand Steeplechase de Paris, a race he won on Sel Jem last Sunday. He is expected to spend six weeks recuperating.
Trotting
Etonnant won the Elitloppet (Gr.1) at Solvalla in Sweden on Sunday. Qualifying in Heat One from gate seven, he travelled wide and finished fourth. Two hours later in the Final he again drew seven and despite a mistake at the 800m ran out a strong winner. Trained by Richard Westerink (who also trained Timoko to dual success in the race) he was driven by Anthony Barrier.
For the first time in the history of the Eliltloppet, the winner was descended from a former winner of the race. Etonnant's sire is Timoko, twice winner of the Elitloppet.
It was a big weekend at Solvalla for French horses. Héliade du Goutier and Diable de Vauvert both won and on Sunday Florida Sport, Etonnant and the Philippe Allaire trained Callmethebreeze all scored.
Diable de Vauvert started favourite and despite conceding 50m duly won the Harper Hanovers Lopp (G1) over 3140m. Winner of the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) at Vincennes in February (a race he defeated Etonnant) he settled at the rear of the field and came from last, one lap out to win. This race is recognised as the premier distance race in Sweden, and he therefore completes the two-country staying Group One features.
On Sunday the fifth stage of the Trophée Vert 2022 was run at Landivisiau with Foxtrot Sea winning to now be sitting second on the rankings table. The current Top Three are:
1. Calimero du Thiole - 25 points
2. Foxtrot Sea - 17 pts
3. Ecrin du Dropt/Eight/Gaspar d'Angis – all on 15 pts
Outstanding gelding Cleangame has been retired following heat to the tendon of an anterior. He was bred by the late Alain Beaumont and was bought as a yearling at the Caen sales for €11,000. Raced 69 times for 42 wins with more than €1.8m in prizemoney he was initially trained by Sébastien
Guarato during his latter career and prepared by Jean-Michel Bazire. Being a gelding, he was ineligible for G1 races in France but was an outstanding performer at both G2 & G3 level. Feature victories included the 2020 & 2021 editions of the Grand National du Trot, the second off 50m.
Three-year-old Jace Renka is by Eros du Chêne from Cocorosie Renka thereby registering him in the Trotteur-Francais (TF) studbook. What is significant is the fact he is the first TF born outside of France to win a major race in the Netherlands having scored in the Critérium des 3 ans against the locally bred Dutch trotters. Jace Renka is trained by Paul Hagoort for owners Luctijn Holding B.V.
Twelve months ago, Earl Simon won a heat of the Elitloppet followed by a disqualification in the final. Following injury and a lengthy recouperation period, he resumed racing – initially at Mons in Belgium. Last Wednesday saw him return to France and win a round of the Grand National du Trot at Le Croisé-Laroche. Following the race an invitation to contest the Kymi Grand Prix (G1) at Kouvola racecourse in Finland was extended. Defending title holder Ce Bello Romain has already been invited. A decision about Earl Simon will be made during the coming weeks.
At Reims on Sunday Alexandre Abrivard drove a double and in so doing with Hacinda landed his 100th success for the season. Other driving feats from the weekend included Romain Le Creps driving his 400th career winner at Monpazier whilst Auxane Hallais had a first win with Ghana.