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News In Brief of French Racing and Trotting - 23rd November 2022.
This week the News In Brief includes, the sad news of six-year-old trotter Galius, the first of the Prix d'Amérique qualifying Races – the Prix de Bretagne (G2) and Mickael Barzalona representing France in the International Jockey Challenge in Hong Kong.
Trotting
Last Sunday morning the news broke six-year-old Galius had died from what is believed to be a food intoxication or allergy (but unconfirmed until further tests). He was set to compete in the Prix de Bretagne (G2) that afternoon at Vincennes. Galius finished second in this years' Prix d'Amerique Legend Race (G1) and was one of the favourites for the next edition of the race in January 2023. His final race appearance was in the Prix d'Été (G1) (September 10) in which he finished third behind Etonnant and Dorgos de Guez. That was his 32nd race start in a career which commenced aged three at the country track of Dozulé.
Prior to his passing, Galius had completed two years at stud and will leave behind two generations – 'M' (currently foals) and 'N' to be born next year. He has 32 registered foals and covered more than 100 mares this breeding season.
The career of Galius:
· 32 races - 16 wins - 8 places
· One Group One - Criterium des 5 Ans (2021)
· One Group 2 – Prix Tenor du Baune (2021)
· PB – 1'09''7
The first of the Prix d'Amérique qualifying Races – the Prix de Bretagne (G2) was run at Vincennes last Sunday with the first three over the line being younger horses – Hip Hop Haufor, Hussard du Landret and Italiano Véro – filling the placings. The winner and second are aged five whilst third is only four. However, following a Stewards Inquiry, Hussard du Landret was demoted to fifth having been found guilty of hindering Flamme du Goutier. Fourth over the line Ampia Mede Sm was elevated to third and Flamme du Goutier to fourth.
The horse to note from the race is Flamme du Goutier who recorded the second fastest time in the last 400 meters in 1'08''1 while suffering interference. She will run the Prix de Bourbonnais (G2), which is the next Prix d'Amerique qualifying race and will be held on Sunday 11 December. Hooker Berry is also worth following recording 1'05''7 for the final 200m having been held up and deep on the final turn.
After an exciting first qualifying round for a place in the Prix d'Amerique, the next qualifying race is to be held at Vincennes on Sunday 11 December with horses including Etonnant and Vivid Wise As expected to compete. Four-year-old Idao de Tillard will aim to qualify via the Criterium Continental (G1) on December 24 whilst Calgary Games may aim to qualify through the Prix Tenor de Baune (G1) on the same day.
One of the most progressive horses under saddle currently racing is Hannah. After winning the Prix d'Avesnes at her previously mounted start, Hannah rapidly progressed to score in the Prix Josef Lafosse (G2) at Vincennes last Friday. Now reaching peak maturity, Hannah placed in a G2 mounted contest prior, so she did have the form for success. Her next start will be in the Prix Bilibili, the newly introduced Group 1 for five-year-olds to be held on December 18. This win also gave her sire Vulcain de Vandel (who was by outstanding mounted horse Jag de Bellouet) his first black type winner.
The owner of Hannah is Jiri Svoboda, a breeder in the Czech Republic. He has entrusted trainer Jean- François Senet to prepare the mare and been rewarded as the first Czech participant to win a Group Two race in France. He is also the breeder of both Boccaccio and Fly Spirit who were born in the Czech Republic and raced and won in France.
With one round still be raced at Mauquenchy (at the time of writing) the Grand National du Trot Final will take place at Vincennes on Sunday week, 4 December. The current leader board shows joint leaders in Eire d'Helios and Echo de Chanlecy while Django du Bocage sits in third. This is one of the most sought races on the French trotting calendar and one of the best attended at Vincennes.
Leader on the points table Echo de Chanlecy, is finding his best form having won two recent qualifying rounds at Feurs and then at Nantes defeating the race favourite Goéland d'Haufor. The success at Nantes was his third career G3 victory, conceding 25m to his rivals.
Flat
A good return on a small investment is the story for connections of Gromantine, following her win on debut in the Prix de Pomerol at Bordeaux over 1900m at the end of October. The two-year-old has subsequently been sold to United States interests where she will do her future racing. Gromantine was purchased for €4,000 at the Arqana sales in December 2020 and was bred by Haras des Sablonnets. No doubt, the price she was sold for was significantly higher than her initial sale price!
The three French contenders for the Japan Cup (G1) to be held this Sunday have arrived safely. Grand Glory, Onesto and Simca Mille are to be based at the Tokyo racecourse following quarantine.
Mickael Barzalona will be representing France for the fifth time in the International Jockey Challenge at Happy Valley in Hong Kong on Wednesday 7 December. Last year he finished joint second with Hollie Doyle, Tom Marquand, and James McDonald. The 2022 season has been good to him with three Group One victories.
On Sunday, at Sha Tin (Hong Kong), French jockey Alexis Badel suffered a heavy fall. The jockey was taken to hospital for examination which revealed a dislocated shoulder and, possibly, a fractured ankle. This will rule him out of competing in the Jockey's Challenge to be held next Wednesday at Happy Valley.
Jumping
Better known as a flat apprentice jockey, Simon Planque turned his talent to the jumps last Saturday at Auteuil for the first-time riding Imbatable du Seuil in the final race on the card – and was able to win! The eighteen-year-old jockey was well schooled for the race as he is the son of trainer Jerry Planque. As a youngster he competed in pony races that took in both hurdling and cross-country. For the past four months he has been working with the Mickaël Seror yard.
