Champers Elysees lands Matron Stakes
Johnny Murtagh was no stranger to riding Group 1 winners during his time in the saddle and on Saturday he netted his first elite level win as a trainer when Champers Elysees (3 f ex La Cuvee by Mark Of Esteem) landed the Matron Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Leopardstown and in so doing became Ballyhane Stud-based sire Elzaam’s - who is a son of late Arrowfield Stud sire Redoute’s Choice (Danehill) - first Group 1 winner.
The three-year-old filly landed the Fairy Bridge Stakes (Gr 3, 7.5f) on September 2 and she had no issues with the major step up in class, storming down the outside to beat Peaceful (Galileo) by a length and a quarter, while dual Group 1 winner Fancy Blue (Deep Impact) could only manage third - finishing another length and a half adrift.
The filly was purchased by Archway Stud from Mantlehill Stud at the 2017 Tattersalls Ireland November Flat Foals and Mares Sale for €12,500 from the Aughamore Stud, before being sold to her trainer for €28,000 at the Part 2 of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale the following year.
She is one of three winners out of the unplaced Mark Of Esteem (Darshaan) mare Le Cuvee, who is herself the daughter of German Group 3 winner Premiere Cuvee (Formidable).
Premiere Cuvee is also the dam of three-time Listed winner Cask (Be My Chief) and Italian Group 3 winner She Bat (Batshoof), who in turn produced Listed-winning trio She Is Great (Dalakhani), She Breeze (Selkirk) and She Spirit Di Su (Invincible Spirit).
Australian-bred Elzaam - who was sold to Shadwell as a yearling for €280,000 at the Arqana August Deauville Yearling Sale in 2009 - was trained by Roger Varian and won at Listed level as a three-year-old, having finished second in the Coventry Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) as a juvenile.
The stallion is the sire of four stakes winners in total and he stands at Ballyhane Stud where his fee in 2020 was advertised as €4,000.
Champers Elysees this season:
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 12, 2020
Four races
Four wins
G1 Matron Stakes
G3 Fairy Bridge Stakes
Listed Corrib Fillies' Stakes@JohnnyMurtagh tastes Group One glory in the @coolmoreamerica Matron Stakes goes to Champers Elysees under @ctkjockey#LICW20 @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/8bzUStC1ha
