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News In Brief of French Racing and Trotting - 15th December 2021.
This week's news-in-brief covers the retirement of Carat Williams, a personal best for driver Frank Clozier and Ebaiyra's third in the G1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin...
Trotting
Carat Williams
With a record of 19 wins and more than € 1.2 million in prizemoney, Carat Williams has been retired. His final performance was last Sunday in the G2 Prix du Bourbonnais where he finished twelfth. A winner at two, three, four and five, his crowning moment was victory in the G1 Critérium des 5 Ans and six Group Two contests. Following these successes, he subsequently ran well in Group One races including a third and two fourth places in the G1 Prix de Paris.
Frank Clozier
Thanks to a double at Toulouse last Saturday, driver Frank Clozier confirmed his place as leading driver for the season in the south-west. He has recorded 65 victories, a personal best.
Jasmin Mérité
Two-year-old Jasmin Mérité was an impressive winner at Vincennes last Friday evening and will now be targeted for an early 2022 three-year-old Group 2 to further test his improving ability. From four starts, he has now won his past two.
In The Money
2021 G1 Critérium des Jeunes winner In The Money had pulmonary problems and his breeder, owner, and trainer Thierry Duvaldestin, indicated he now has hindquarter issues and will miss the remainder of the winter.
Thierry Duvaldestin
On a brighter note, Thierry Duvaldestin remains the leading trainer having prepared more than 235 winners, a record. In 2014 Yannick-Alain Briand achieved 227.
Beautiful Colibri
Four-year-old filly Beautiful Colibri has recorded a second victory in the United States. Trained in France by Philippe Allaire, she is now prepared by Nancy Takter. She won in Philadelphia recording 1'10''9, a personal best when leading throughout defeating five-year-old Ghostintheshell.
Ideal du Pommeau
Ideal du Pommeau remains undefeated following his second race at Vincennes. Comparisons are being made with Face Time Bourbon as he is also by Ready Cash and closely related to the champion as he represents the same crossing with a mare by Love You closely with bloodlines to Dimitria. He also carries the colours of Face Time Bourbon and is trained by Sébastien Guarato and driven by Eric Raffin.
Dimo d'Occagnes
Dimo d'Occagnes made his mounted debut in impressive style last Sunday at Vincennes by not only winning but recording a new record for 2850m on the outer track at Vincennes in a time of 1'12 ''.
Flat
Ebaiyra
The Aga Khan owned and Alain-de-Royer Duprè trained Ebaiyra put up a strong performance to finish third in the G1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin last Sunday. Beaten three-and-half lengths by the Japanese contender Glory Vase, jockey Christophe Soumillon said the French filly performed creditably – "She ran well, she was a bit keen in the first part of the race. When we came to the last turn, I thought she would probably fight for the win but the last 200 (metres), she got tired." This was the final Group One race for trainer Alain de-Royer Duprè who retires at the end of this season.
Sealiway
Winner of two G1 races – Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère and Champion Stakes at Ascot (UK) – Sealiway will now be trained by Francis-Henri Graffard.
Tony Piccone
Jockey Tony Piconne has returned to France following a twelve-month provisional licence holder stint in Hong Kong. He left following his victory on Wonderful Tonight in G1 Prix de Royallieu in 2020 for much of 2021. Back in France since the middle of November, he recorded his first winner on board Keat, trained by Stéphane Labate, in a handicap at Marseille-Vivaux.
Brokeback Mountain
Not seen since finishing fourth at Longchamp in the G3 Prix Gladiateur in early September, Brokeback Mountain is nominated for a Listed contest at Deauville this Thursday attempting the Listed Prix Arcangues. He has been held back from the track to avoid heavy turf going.
Asgoodassobergets
Having his second start in a Class 2 Lyon winner in early November, Asgoodassobergets has been sold to Australian interests and will continue his racing there. Trained in France by Édouard Monfort he is by Dariyan and is expected to be syndicated.
Jump
Irish Point
Winner of the APQS G1 Prix Jacques de Vienne, Irish Point has been sold to Irish interests and will be joining the stable of Gordon Elliot to continue his career over jumps.
Margaret's Legacy
Margaret's Legacy will continue his career under the guidance of UK based trainer Tim Vaughan. Winner of his first two hurdle races at Cagnes-sur-Mer last winter, he has been placed in his last four races, all in steeplechases. Margaret's Legacy completed his career in France when third at Auteuil in November.
Imperial Bédé
Imperial Bédé won on his second flat start at Fontainebleau tackling an AQPS race in September before a second in the AQPS G3 Prix de l'Avenir at Nantes at the end of October. He has subsequently been sold and will now be trained in the UK by Jonjo O'Neill.
Mathilde Laurent
Mathilde Laurent, 21, recorded her first race victory last Sunday at Pau when the Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé trained Beauté Promise won. This was her eighth ride since commencing in April.
Adrien Merienne
Adrien Merienne continues in fine form at Cagnes-sur-Mer having recorded his 86th career winner thereby outriding his allowance. Recording a double on the day he had already landed a winner at the festival. He has been riding and working predominately for Philippe and Camille Peltier and Gabriel Leenders stables.
