Group One Review: Saint-Cloud & Longchamp.
This weekend was full of Group One action with the Prix Royal-Oak (3000m) at Longchamp and Saint-Cloud hosting the final two juvenile Group Ones of the season...
| Date | Saturday, October 23, 2021 |
| Venue | Saint-Cloud |
| Race | R2 - Prix Criterium International |
| Type | G1 two-year-old only (1600m) |
| Winner | Angel Bleu |
| Jockey/Driver | Frankie Dettori |
| Trainer | Ralph Beckett |
| Breeding | Dark Angel x Cercle de la Vie |
| Second | Ancient Rome |
| Third | Purplepay |
| Angel Bleu confirmed the form with Ancient Rome from their G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (1400m) run at the start of the month with a determined success tackling this longer journey. Ancient Rome appeared to have all challengers covered, travelling sweetly into the straight. However, the winner, who sat in rear, was produced with a strong effort down the outer. He had first run, hitting the front at the 200m marker under a clever ride from Frankie Dettori. The pair battled on gamely to the line to fend off the runner-up by a head. Purplepay finished strongly for third on her first start in Stakes company. Ralph Beckett's progressive two-year-old has delivered a pair of Group One prizes as well as a Group Two victory this campaign. He will be primarily aimed at the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (1600m) next season, with the hope of soft ground which he relishes. Angel Bleu's sire, Dark Angel, stands at Yeomanstown Stud for a fee of €60,000. | |
| Date | Saturday, October 23, 2021 |
| Venue | Saint-Cloud |
| Race | R3 – Prix Criterium de Saint-Cloud |
| Type | G1 two-year-old only (2000m) |
| Winner | El Bodegon |
| Jockey/Driver | Iortiz Mendizabel |
| Trainer | James Ferguson |
| Breeding | Kodiac x Al Andalyya |
| Second | Stone Age |
| Third | Goldspur |
| El Bodegon continued his progression with a comfortable victory with a career-best performance. A winner of the G3 Prix de Conde (1800m) at Chantilly, the James Ferguson-trained youngster set a fair pace with Goldspur (Dubawi). The pair broke away from the field rounding the home turn before the winner pulled out more to score by one-and-a-half lengths from the keeping-on Stone Age (Galileo). El Bodegon's brother, Best Solution, finished runner-up behind subsequent G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m) winner Waldgeist (Galileo) in 2016. It is hoped El Bodegon can improve with age just like his brother, who went on to land a trio of Group One prizes as a four-year-old. This victory gave Tally Ho-based sire Kodiac a sixth top-level winner. He stood for €65,000 in 2021. | |
| Date | Sunday, October 24, 2021 |
| Venue | Longchamp |
| Race | R5 – Prix Royal-Oak |
| Type | G1 three-year-old plus (3000m) |
| Winner | Scope |
| Jockey/Driver | Rob Hornby |
| Trainer | Ralph Beckett |
| Breeding | Teofilo x Look So |
| Second | Skazino |
| Third | Glycon |
| Scope continued his late-season progression to complete a Stakes-race double to break through in Group company for the first time. The Ralph Beckett-trained colt also completed a fine weekend for the UK trainer after Angel Bleu's victory in the G1 Prix Criterium International (1600m). Scope was handily placed throughout before coming under pressure entering the home straight. He responded generously and got the better of a sustained duel with the consistent Skazino (Kendargent), winning with something in hand. The sixth foal out of winning mare Look So (Efisio), herself a half-sister to G1 Epsom Oaks (2400m) scorer Look Here (Hernando), Scope is a half-brother to Listed winners Regardez (Champs Elysees) and Glance (Dansili). This victory gave Teofilo a 22nd elite-level winner. He stood at Kildangan in 2021 for a fee of €30,000. | |
