News In Brief of French Racing and Trotting - 3rd June 2021.

This week's News In Brief includes the G1 Elitloppet, Siyouni southern hemisphere coverings and the next target for Alain de Royer Dupré's progressive filly Ebaiyra…

Elitloppet

The G1 Elitloppet (1609m) took place at Solvalla, Sweden, last Sunday (May 30). France scored in the second semi-final with Gelati Cut (Coktail Jet) whilst speed specialist and three-time G1 winner this term, Vivid Wise As (Yankee Glide) won the first semi.  

The Alessandro Gocciadoro-trained superstar dictated throughout to ease into the final with the minimal amount of fuss. Gelati Cut got the better of a well-fought second elimination stage, just denying Ecurie D at the wire (Infinitif). The final produced a thrilling conclusion. As expected, Vivid Wise As was in the lead throughout, stretching ahead as the contingent entered the home straight. The Italian bred looked to have the race in safe keeping until Don Fanucci Zet (Hard Livin), who kept a stalking position in third for most of the journey pulled out to deliver a wide challenge rounding for home. Örjan Kihlström lifted his runner to grab the lead in the final 50 metres to win going away, in a record kilometre time of 1'08"9. For trainer, Daniel Redén, this victory comes a year after he was stripped of this major prize when Propulsion was disqualified for a nerve procedure he received in the US. Gelati Cut was caught in a pocket down the straight and was just denied for third.  At his two previous French starts he won two Group One races – the Grand Critérium de Vitesse de la Côte d'Azur (1609) at Cagnes-sur-Mer in March and Prix de l'Atlantique (2150m) at Enghien in April.

Hirondelle Sibey

Hirondelle Sibey (Gazouillis) captured the G2 Prix Leguerney (2700m) at Vincennes last Friday (May 28) securing a fourth successive victory at this level for trainer Jean-Michel Baudouin and rider Eric Raffin. This cemented her position towards the head of the four-year-old fillies division with all roads leading towards the G1 Sulky Finale 4 ans – Critérium des 4 ans on September 4. 

Invincible Bourbon

Invincible Bourbon (Love You) has caught the eye with two good successes from just three starts for trainer Sébastien Guarato, in the colours Yvette Engelke, who bred the three-year-old. The trainer expects him to improve considerably next season as he still lacks condition and is one to note going forward. 

Mathieu Mottier

After riding a winner on Fatou (Quarlos) at Cholet last Wednesday (26), last season's Etrier d'Or winner Mathieu Mottier, increased his lead at the top of this year's standings to fifteen, having now delivered 40 winners. It should also be noted that Fatou also notched up a milestone after the victory, with the six-year-old gelding exceeding the €100,000 earnings mark. 

Impressionist

Impressionist (Ready Cash) triumphed in the G2 Sulky 3 ans Qualif – Kalmia (2700m) at Vincennes last Monday (May 25) in what was a big event for the Hunter Valley stable, who own the progressive trotter. The team have made large investments including the purchase of Haras de le Perrière from Jean-Etienne Dubois and it looks as though their spending and patience have been richly rewarded. 

Yannick-Alain Briand

Yannick-Alain Briand was in top form at Marseille-Borely last Sunday (May 27), producing four winners and saddling four second-placed finishers too. His winners came in the first four races -Denver du Châtelet (So Lovely Girl), Impresario (Ludo de Castelle), Firejack de Viette (Star Look) and Habanna (Atlas de Joudes) – to complete a dominant afternoon in the Southeast region. 

Haddex des Obeaux

Haddex des Obeaux (Saddex), winner of a four-year-old hurdle race at Auteuil over 3500m on second jumps outing, has been sold by Nicolas Bertran de Balanda to race for Gary Moore in the UK. He is thought to be a promising chaser in time. 

Christophe Ferland

Christophe Ferland secured a first four-timer last Friday at La Teste. He saddled both winners of the juvenile races for the Wertheimer family before securing a third success for the esteemed owners when Sagono (Anodin) won the 1900m handicap. That also completed a fourth winner on the card for jockey Maxime Guyon. Ferland also found success in an 1800m handicap with Pomahaka (Wooton Bassett). 

Siyouni

Siyouni (Pivotal), the French champion sire, will be made available for southern hemisphere coverings at a cost of €100,000 during the second semester of 2021 at Haras du Bonneval. Sire of European Champion two-year-old and G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (1600m) winner St Marks Basilica, Siyouni has already made a good start to his runners in Australia with four black-type performers from just six runners. Aylmerton landed the G1 Todman Stakes (1200m), while See You In Spring has triumphed at Listed level as a two-year-old. 

Fort Payne

An outsider for the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m), Fort Payne (Rio de la Plata), completed his final fast gallop last Tuesday (May 25). Trainer Nicolas Caullery was pleased with the work and noted his runner will come on plenty for a third in the G3 Prix de Guiche (1800m) on reappearance with the goal being Chantilly this Sunday (June 6). 

Paul Nicholls

Paul Nicholls has two exciting three-year-olds set to join his team in the UK after being purchased by Joffret Huet. Matterhorn (Martaline), who may have won before a bad mistake at the last when third on debut, and Magistrato (Kapgarde), a good second first up. Both made their debuts at Auteuil and are well-bred competitors heading to the UK. 

Noam Chevalier

Former jockey Noam Chevalier saddled his first Listed winner courtesy of Demon de Fleur (Ange Gabriel), who scored in a Listed chase at Le Lion d'Angers on Sunday, May 23. 

Prix Jean Prat

France Galop and Haras d´Étreham have announced a new sponsorship deal for the 2021 G1 Prix Jean Prat (1400m) at Deauville. G1 winners such as Urban Sea, King's Best and Maximova have all been raised at the Normandy base and it is hoped that the new venture will cement the great race to becoming a high-profile target for three-year-olds for many years to come. 

Ebaiyra

Alain de Royer Dupré has announced that his progressive filly, Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor), will likely head to the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m). She has won on both starts this season, beating Raabihah in a G3 and G2 contest. The trainer has reported that we now know she handles all ground conditions and is maturing well. She holds an entry in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m).