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News In Brief of French Racing and Trotting - 21st December 2022.
This week the News In Brief includes, Swedish trotting superstar Calgary Games, flat jockey Marie Vélon and the André Fabre-trained Mathletic.
Trotting
Swedish superstar Calgary Games remains on target to contest the Prix Ténor de Baune (G1) – Qualif#4 of the Prix d'Amérique races with driver Björn Goop already committed for Saturday's race. The five-year-old, undefeated in ten outings, will face racing against the best of his age including Hohneck, Hip Hop Haufor, Herald-at-Arms, Happy Valley, and Horsy Dream. Both Hooker Berry and Hussard du Landret who have qualified for the Prix d'Amérique, will not contest this event.
Diable de Vauvert, winner of the French-Swedish G1 marathon races this year, Prix de Paris - Marathon Race and Harper Hanovers has been absent thus far at the Winter Meeting. Following injury and setbacks, the horse has been swimming and doing gentle work with the aim of him returning to the track in May.
Frenchman Jonathan Carré beat the annual record of victories for mounted races in Sweden having now recorded 62 winners for the season. The previous number of 61 was established by Sofia Adolfsson in 2018. He set himself a personal target of 65 winners for the season.
Flat
The André Fabre-trained Mathletic has been sold to Australian interests. Winner or placed on five of his races, he finished second in the Prix de Fontainebleau (G3) in the spring and second in the Prix Tantième (L). Another purchase for Ballymore Stables Australia is Gregolimo, purchased for €220,000. Winner of the Prix Nureyev (L) and placed three times at Group level last season, the Simone Brogi-trained runner has filled the top three placings on three of his four outings this year.
Winner of the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) in 2020, Zellie and placed fourth in the 1000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket has been retired and has been transported to England where she will become a broodmare.
Romagna Mia, winner of the Premio Lydia Tesio (G2) was sold at the Arqana Broodmare sale for €500,000 and will remain in training in France to be prepared by Jérôme Reynier under the colours of Team Valor. She may race over the winter in Qatar, potentially in the Amir Trophy (domestic G1) if an invitation is received.
Christophe Soumillon will resume race riding on Saturday January 7 in the King's Plate, a G1 conducted at Kenilworth Racecourse, Cape Town, South Africa. He will ride Golden Ducat, a dual G1 winner. He was victorious in the Cape Derby (G1) at this track and then the Champions Cup (G1) at Greyville. The horse is trained by Eric Sands.
A week ago, on Monday (12 December) at Marseille-Vivaux, Marie Vélon broke her own record of winners thanks to the Nicolas Perret-trained Screenwriter recording an 85th success for the season. This year also saw her win a first G1 race when Irésine won the Prix Royal-Oak.
