French Racing and Trotting - Weekly Round-Up

Victor Ludorum bounced back from a modest fifth in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan (1850m) to land this easier contest with plenty to spare, defeating Brentford Hope (Camelot) by three lengths. Mickaël Barzalona was always in a handy position, travelling sweetly behind the runner-up before hitting the front at the 400m point. He breezed clear of his rivals thereafter. This was a first success since winning last season's G1 Prix d'Essai des Poulains (1600m).

The André Fabre four-year-old hails from a top-class family which includes leading sires Street Cry (Machiavellian), Shamardal (Giant's Causeway) and Territories (Invincible Spirit). We are likely to see Victor Ludorum return to the highest level, in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois (1600m) at Deauville next month, where he could clash with top miler Palace Pier (Kingman).

A straightforward success for the rapidly-improving Atomic Force, who completed a double over track and trip in style, making all the running. He had previously scored in the G3 Prix du Bois (1200m) and was delivering a first start for new owner Siu Pak Kwan, whose red and black-striped colours have been carried by the likes of Stormy Antarctic (Stormy Atlantic) and Came From The Dark (Dark Angel).

This Kevin-Ryan trained youngster has won three of four starts and provided his sire, Cotai Glory, with victory number 21 from 46 starters across Europe. He currently leads the first-season sire standings. The stallion provided other stakes performers including G2 Coventry Stakes (1200m) second Eldrickjones and Listed Windsor Castle (1000m) runner-up Dig Two. Cotai Glory stands at Tally Ho Stud for €5,000.

Atomic Force could head to the G2 Gimcrack Stakes (1200m) prior to a tilt at the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye (1000m) at the end of the season.

Noticeable Grace prevailed in a three-way photo finish with a first win at Group level, capping a fine afternoon for André Fabre and Mickaël Barzalona. The three-year-old was under pressure a fair way out and needed every step of the 1800m distance to get up on the line, displaying a determined attitude.

This daughter of Make Believe (Makfi) was completing a hat-trick for owner-breeder Prince Faisal. She is a homebred and closely related to US Grade One winner Dubawi Heights (Dubawi), with her dam a half-sister to 1200m Group One winner Tante Rose (Barathea). She could now head to the G1 Prix de l'Opera (2000m).

Babylone stepped up in grade and distance to land a first stakes success at Group Two level for André Fabre. The three-year-old filly was settled towards the rear of the field before manoeuvring for a run at the 400m marker. Mickaël Barzalona managed to weave a passage into the clear and swooped to lead inside the final 200m, holding off Adhafera (Sea The Stars) by a neck at the line.

This was a first Group success for owners Haras de Voltaire and gave Babylone's sire - Invincible Spirit (Green Desert) - a 135th stakes victory. She hails from a top-class Niarchos family, with Babylone's dam, Typique, descending from a Group One-winning two-year-old and a half-sister to 1200m Group Three-winner Loving Kindness and US Group three winner Snake Mountain (A.P.Indy). The family has also produced G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m) winner Bago, G1 Prix de Diane (2100m) scorer Senga and G1 Prix d'Ispahan (1800m) victor Maxios. Invincible Spirit stands at the Irish National Stud for a fee of €80,000.

Valia avenged her defeat by Skazino (Kendargent) attempting a 300m shorter distance than when finishing runner-up to him in the G2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (3100m) previously. Christophe Soumillon nursed the Alain de Royer Dupré-trained four-year-old filly until challenging the front-running Skazino 400m from home. The pair battled bravely to the line with Valia just getting on top at the finish. Her race fitness and weight relief seemingly counted for plenty.

The Aga Khan homebred is a son of Sea The Stars (Cape Cross) and out of Veda (Dansili), runner-up in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (1600m) and half-sister to Valamar (Pivotal), who is out of a half-sister to G1 winners Vazira (Sea The Stars) and Vadawina (Unfuwain). Sea The Stars stands at the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud for a fee of €150,000.

We could potentially see Valia contest the G1 Yorkshire Oaks (2400m) prior to the long-term goal of racing in the G1 Prix de Royallieu (2800m) on Arc weekend.