The 2024 May Maiden winners

 

FELICIA (f3), FRA by Wootton Bassett ex Fortitude (Oasis Dream)

Prix de la Route Royale (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 1 600m/1m), May 17, 2024, Chantilly

Owner: Écurie des Charmes

Trainers: C&Y.Lerner

Breeder: Haras d’Étreham

Rider: Christophe Soumillon

After finishing third on heavy ground in her debut in March and then fifth at Longchamp in a tightly contested race, Felicia (Wootton Bassett) capitalized on these experiences to clinch a rather impressive victory here. She broke well, settled just behind the leaders, and accelerated decisively in the final phase to win by nearly three lengths. The pacesetter, Baltic Empress (Kingman), put up a tenacious fight and is sure to find her day, holding off the challenge from the favourite, Avenue Montaigne (Zarak), who once again had to settle for a minor placing.

Felicia was purchased for 140,000€ by the Lerners at the Deauville yearling sales. Her dam, Fortitude (Oasis Dream), won two races in England and is out of the stakes-winning Sweepstake (Acclamation), who produced the enduring Broome (Australia) and Point Lonsdale (Australia), a leading two-year-old in the UK and Ireland. Felicia's immediate family includes a 2022 filly by Threat and a last year's colt by Persian King.

 

SAIDI EL FAL (c3), FRA by Lope de Vega ex Storm to the Sea (Siyouni)

Prix du Plessis-Pommeraye (Maiden 3-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,600m/1m), May 17, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Fal Stud, Écurie Haras du Château, Haras de Clairefontaine

Trainer: Mario Baratti

Breeders: Marie-Laure, Jean et Marylene Collet

Rider: Alexis Pouchin

Having placed third twice over 10 and 9.5f on all-weather and very heavy ground before stepping down to one mile here, Saidi El Fal (Lope de Vega) decisively outperformed his rivals this time. He took an early lead and effortlessly pulled away in the home straight to win by five lengths over Lanzelot Gold (Toronado), who held on well after tracking the leaders, and the favourite Agualeto (Recoletos), who had waited behind.

Golden Rock (Stormy River) finished a good fourth.

Entered in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1), Saidi El Fal was privately purchased for 60,000€ at Arqana by Fal Stud and Pegase Bloodstock. His dam, Storm to the Sea (Siyouni), won a race at Sillé-le-Guillaume before retiring to stud. She produced a Le Havre filly who's still a maiden after nine races, then Saidi El Fal, and a Romanised colt, who sold for 14,000€ at Deauville last October and was just taken out of training without racing. Storm to the Sea is notably a sibling to Silverwave (Silver Frost) and Stormy River (Vergals), both Group 1 winners, whose dam Miss Bio (River Mist) never raced.

 

MOSAÏQUE (f3), FRA by Dubawi ex The Juliet Rose (Monsun)

Prix Lunadix  (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 2,400m/1m4f), May 14, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Wertheimer & Frère

Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias

Breeders: Wertheimer & Frère

Rider: Maxime Guyon

Just like Coetzee and his runner-up Spinello in the previous maiden, Mosaïque (Dubawi), the favourite in the fillies' maiden, has already made a name for herself over the classic distance: sixth in March on her debut over 1m2f, she finished a distant second on very soft ground, again at Saint-Cloud, over 1m1/2. Sunday's storms and the morning rain forced her to run once more on a challenging turf. Still, this time, she won decisively, on the bit, leaving her closest rivals, Villa des Arts (Galiway) and Moosbeere (Waldgeist), whom she had previously beaten by six lengths, nearly four lengths behind.

The filly is the third daughter of the excellent The Juliet Rose (Monsun), purchased for €650,000 at Arqana by Markus Jooste, a two-time winner of the Prix de Royallieu (Gr2), among other eye-catching displays, and amicably transferred to the Wertheimers at the end of her racing career.

Her second filly, a maiden by Sea the Stars, was bought by Écurie des Monceaux last December at Arqana for €135,000. She then took a fifth second place and is not trained anymore, but what an exciting bet! Especially since Mosaïque has just spiced things up a bit...

 

COETZEE (c3), USA by Frankel ex Sing Softly (Hennessy)

Prix Mendez (Maiden 3-year-old Colts & geldings, 2,400m/1m4f), May 14, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Tabor/Smith/Magnier

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Breeders: Orpendale, Chelston Ireland, Wynatt

Rider: Mickaël Barzalona

Coetzee (Frankel) missed the start in his debut against horses that had already run and ended up boxed in along the rail, finishing strongly that day over 1m3f at Fontainebleau. He was now the second favourite behind Spinello (Cracksman), running for the third time this season over 1m1/2 after a fourth and then a second place, always at Saint-Cloud. It was indeed the latter who went after the two leaders, Chess (Fas) and especially Bali (Exceed and Excel), who had overtaken his rival but could do nothing against Spinello, and Coetzee launched down the middle of the straight to win by three lengths, four lengths ahead of Bali.

Coetzee is the second winner born to the American mare Sing Softly (Hennessy), runner-up in the Nell Gwyn (Gr2) in England for trainer Aidan O'Brien, who had entered her in the Grotte (Gr3) and the French 1,000 Guineas (Gr1).

She is also the full sister to India (Hennessy), a Gr2 winner in the USA, a dam of the Japanese landmark mile Yasuda Kinen (Gr1) winner, named Mozu Ascot (Frankel). The same crossbreeding was attempted here. The chestnut brother to Coetzee, a 2-year-old by Justify, was unsold at $575,000 at the Ocala 2-year-old in-training sales.

 

WAIKATO (c3), (GB) by Shalaa ex Rosehill (Australia)

Prix de la Berline du Duc de Bourbon (Maiden 3-year-old Colts and geldings, 2,000m/1m2f), May 11, 2024, Chantilly

Owner: Al Shaqab Racing

Trainer: Mikel Delzangles

Breeder: Al Shaqab Racing

Rider: Aurélien Lemaître

Returning after a two-month break, Waikato (Shalaa) took an early lead and showed plenty of tenacity to fend off the strong challenge from the favourite, Oscar (Siyouni), who had tracked him from the start and settled for second place a length behind. Also near the front despite his wide draw (11), Northern Olympian (Olympic Glory) also led alongside Waikato but couldn’t quicken in the closing stages, allowing Forever Given (Sea the Stars), always well-placed, to clinch third, two lengths behind the leading duo. This group was followed by Driver’s Pick (Too Darn Hot), and the strong finisher Lord Sinclair (Almanzor), who nabbed fifth place at the line.

Waikato was competing on turf for the first time, having finished eighth in his debut at Chantilly over 1,500m in December, then fourth, leading over the mile, again on all-weather at Chantilly. The increase in distance seemingly benefitted this gutsy grandson of Australia, who is not entered in the season's major races.

Bred by his owners, Al Shaqab Racing, Waikato is the first foal out of Rosehill (Australia), a filly also trained by the Qatari outfit. She was entered in her generation's classics and won on debut in November of her two-year-old season at Bordeaux, but did not race thereafter. She was sold barren in February 2022 at Deauville for €5,000 to Sigma Agency, and since foaled a Toronado filly in 2023, bred by the Jeffroy family.

The unraced second dam, Barenia (Zamindar), was bred by the Fabre family from an Argentine-imported lineage.

 

HAPPY SAXON (f3), FRA by Saxon Warrior ex Happyness (Verglas)

Prix de la Calèche des Impératrices (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 2,000m/1m2f), May 11, 2024, Chantilly

Owner: Roy Racing Ltd

Trainer: Mikel Delzangles

Breeder: Élevage Haras de Bourgeauville

Rider: Stéphane Pasquier

After a brave fourth on heavy ground in her debut last October at Saint-Cloud, Happy Saxon (Saxon Warrior) had not been seen since until her return here. Starting at the back after jostling with Jannah Pearl (Galileo) as they were leaving the starting stalls, the grey filly settled behind the field led by Sailawaywithme (Sea the Stars) and gradually moved up on the outside, tracking Jannah Pearl. Jannah Pearl continued her effort to challenge the steady leader but could not sustain her run. At the same time, Happy Saxon extended impressively to clearly dominate the final 100 meters, winning by nearly two lengths over a very gallant Sailawaywithme, with Jannah Pearl finishing behind, also nearly two lengths adrift.

The fillies' race was reportedly two seconds slower than the preceding maiden for colts. Nonetheless, the winner's style was highly convincing.

Daniel Cole purchased Happy Saxon for €85,000 at the Arqana October yearling sales. She is the second foal of Happyness (Verglas), who won on her second outing at La Teste at three years old and then placed second in the coveted Prix du Louvre. This was her last race in France before moving to the USA, where she won twice. After being sold twice more, including once in foal to Air Force Blue, she produced Bonheur Bleu at Haras de Bourgeauville.

This is a lineage originating from Kilfrush Stud. The fourth dam is the formidable Arctique Royale (Royal and Regal), winner of the Irish 1,000 Guineas. Numerous high-level winners for Jean-Pierre Binet and R C Strauss descend from this outstanding dam.

 

ALLÉE DE BERCY (f2), FRA by Hello Youmzain ex Dehia (Mastercraftsman)

Prix de la Mère Marie (Unraced 2-year-old Fillies, 1,000m/5f), May 2, 2024, Chantilly

Owner: Écurie X

Trainer: A&G. Botti

Breeders: Aliette et Gilles Forien

Rider: Ioritz Mendizabal

Allée de Bercy (Hello Youmzain) showcased her prowess by forcefully claiming victory, coming wide to deliver the final charge and edge past the tenacious Cendre (Goken). Cendre had initially fended off the favourite Dombyra (Dark Angel) along the rail, having led from the start. Cendre eventually finished a short neck behind the winner, with Dombyra a neck further back.

Allée de Bercy was sold privately for €26,000 to Daniel Cole in Deauville last October. Her dam, Dehia (Mastercraftsman), retired a maiden and is a sister to Baby Rider (Gleneagles), a Prix Greffulhe (Gr2) winner who failed to progress thereafter and later moved to Australia without much success. Nonetheless, her dam is a sister to the Derby winner Wings of Eagles (Pour Moi).

Keep an eye on a yearling filly by Ten Sovereigns from this family.

 

FLY HALF (c2), FRA by No Nay Never ex Fact Finding (Zoffany)

Prix du Coq Chantant (Unraced 2-year-old Colts and geldings, 1,000m/5f), May 7, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Guy Heald, Mikel Delzangles, Écurie des Monceaux

Trainer: Mikel Delzangles

Breeders: B. B. Partnership, Écurie des Monceaux, Beauregard Bloodstock

Rider: Gérald Mossé

Taking the lead in the middle of the course, Fly Half (No Nay Never) was kept busy throughout yet managed to fend off all challengers, finishing with some ease ahead of Detonate (Siyouni), who also had taken an early lead closer to the stands' rail. Following them, Ciaran (Van Beethoven) had to bide his time to sneak ahead of the favourite Jawwal (Wooded), who struggled to get ahead of the front-runners. Although Ciaran couldn't quite catch up, he finished just a head behind Detonate, who was a short length behind our winner.

Fly Half is the first foal out of Fact Finding (Zoffany), a mare trained by Jean-Claude Rouget for Coolmore, who managed four third-place finishes in five starts before retiring to stud. She was then sold for €105,000, in foal to Fly Half, to Écurie des Monceaux. This looks like a bargain given that although neither she nor her dam, Truth (Galileo), won their races, Fact Finding's second dam is Prudenzia (Dansili), the dam of Gr1 winners Magic Wand (Galileo) and Chicquita (Montjeu).

Fly Half himself was a buyback at €65,000 at the last Arqana August sales. A colt by Zarak followed last year, and perhaps he will benefit from the success of his older brother.

 

SCHIKERIA (f3), FRA by Zarak ex Society Lady (Zafeen)

Prix Praline (Unraced 3-year-old Fillies, 1,600m/1m), May 6, 2024, Saint-Cloud

Owners: Haras de Saint-Julien, Regula Vannod

Trainer: Fabrice Chappet

Breeder: Haras de Saint-Julien, Regula Vannod

Rider: Ioritz Mendizabal

Initially set to debut last October and November, Schikeria (Zarak) finally made her first appearance after a six-month delay. Quickly rushing forward from her 12 draw, Schikeria secured a nice position next to the early leader, Lycada (Flintshire). As they entered the straight, the duo was soon challenged by St Elvira (Ectot), who had travelled wide, and Saganne (Zelzal), who surged from even further back. Saganne clinched 2nd place at the post by a head over Pinta (Zarak), who had enjoyed the perfect trip, with St Elvira and Lycada finishing in line for 3rd and 4th. Schikeria impressively held them off to maintain a solid lead at the finish.

Schikeria is the second foal out of Society Lady (Zafeen), a winner at Dieppe over 7 furlongs at three who has also produced Society Man (Cracksman), a recent winner of his third race at Strasbourg over the same distance. A Toronado filly, still in training with Fabrice Chappet sporting the same colours, and a yearling filly by Persian King came along.

Schikeria's fourth dam is also the third dam to outstanding horses such as Sister Charlie, Sottsass, and My Sister Nat.

 

STRASSIA (f3), FRA by Kendargent ex Stracy (Motivator)

Prix de la Bretonnière (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 2,200m/1m3f), May 5, 2024, ParisLongchamp

Owners: Guy Pariente Holding, Écurie Bernd & Torsten Raber

Trainer: Ludovic Gadbin

Breeders: Guy Pariente Holding, Écurie Bernd & Torsten Raber

Rider: Théo Bachelot

Following a promising debut fifth in the Prix de Chaillot, Strassia (Kendargent) took the lead this time and proved unstoppable in the closing stages. Threatened mid-straight by favourite Solite (Dubawi) on her inside—who faltered suddenly after rejoining—and Lilly Lux (Free Port Lux) on her outside, Strassia rallied to win impressively by one and a half lengths ahead of Aqua Augusta (Lope de Vega), who finished strongly, and Zerafa (Dariyan), who was contesting her second race, like the winner.

Strassia was purchased for €33,000 at the Arqana September sales by her trainer, Ludovic Gadbin. A year later, her Goken sister failed to sell at €120,000. Their unraced dam, Stracy (Motivator), was bought for €30,000 at the Osarus sales by Christophe Ferland. She boasts a stunning Argentine lineage imported from the USA by the Head family through Haras du Quesnay. Stracy has also produced a Critérium de Lyon (L) winner, Strako, a full brother to the talented Strassia, currently training at a modest level with Anastasia Wattel. Following are a Goken filly trained by Christophe Ferland and a Kendargent colt born in 2023.

 

WITH STARS (f3), (IRE) by Sea the Stars ex With You (Dansili)

Prix de Sèvres (Maiden 3-year-old Fillies, 1,850m/9f), May 5, 2024, ParisLongchamp

Owner: George Strawbridge

Trainer: Victoria Head

Breeder: George Strawbridge

Rider: Ludovic Boisseau

The race was run at a brisk pace led by My Desert Queen (Lope de Vega), closely followed on the inside by favourite Bassett Belle (Wootton Bassett), who was keen and pulled going down the hill, and outsider Monbe (Le Havre), racing wide. With Stars (Sea the Stars), sporting blinkers for the first time after an unconvincing season opener (7th), saw action heat up in the final straight. Bassett Belle attempted to break away but couldn't shake off With Stars, who was tracked further out by Spera (Mastercraftsman). Spera seemed to hit a wall a hundred meters from the post after covering the 3rd and 2nd last furlongs in 24’’96, nearly matching Alyaqut (Hunter’s Light), who surged from even further back. With Stars, staying on strongly throughout, dominated the final stretch.

With Stars is the first foal out of the outstanding With You (Dansili), a Prix Rothschild (Gr1) winner and placed, who has since produced a colt by Lope de Vega and a filly by Siyouni.

 

DAYLIGHT (f2), FRA by Earthlight ex Latita (Silver Frost)

Prix des Closeaux (Unraced 2-year-olds, 1,200m/6f), May 2, 2024, Chantilly

Owners: Gousserie Racing, Sandrine Gavrois

Trainer: Patrice Cottier

Breeders: Écurie Haras du Cadran, Pierre Van Belle

Rider: Cristian Demuro

As the favourite among four other fillies and three colts, Daylight (Earthlight) broke best and was never truly challenged, cruising to a win by over four lengths over Aleksine (Mehmas), who kept pace as long as possible—Aleksine even clocked the 2nd last furlong stretch a fraction quicker than the winner, 11’’85 to 11’’86—and finished three lengths ahead of third-place Honey Star (Goken). The times posted by these debutants outshone those of the 3-year-olds over the same course and distance later in a Class 1 race, highlighting the significance of Daylight's performance.

The filly was purchased for €85,000 as a yearling at the Deauville sales by Peretti Bloodstock. Her dam, Latita (Silver Frost), concluded a successful two-year-old campaign with a win in the Critérium du Languedoc (L). Third in the Prix de la Grotte (Gr3) upon her return, she faltered in two subsequent starts before retiring to stud, initially sold for €20,000 post-training to Haras du Cadran, co-breeder of Daylight... Since then, the mare has also produced a yearling colt by Zelzal. A 3-year-old by Churchill, Upside Down, is in training with Jean-Claude Rouget, who also trained the dam for her second campaign. He has won his first race at the 4th attempt, nine days after his younger sister, at Tarbes in the Southwest. Latita comes from the same family as Manzor (Cricket Ball), winner of the Prix du Petit Couvert Sprint (Gr3).