By Sean Cronin
Forz Europe's G2 Debutante Stakes third Evolutionist (Night Of Thunder) closed her juvenile campaign with a podium finish in the G1 Fillies' Mile and punched her ticket to a Classic campaign with an impressive tally in Sunday's one-mile G3 Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp.
“We've run a few nice horses in the last ten days or so and a few have disappointed,” admitted Karl Burke. “I don't think the string is in top form, but it's nice to see her do that and I'm very, very happy. We always knew she was going to stay a mile-and-a-quarter for sure and Shane [Foley] said she outstayed them. She's not slow either and she quickened up well there and galloped through the line.”
Looking ahead, the trainer added, “She'll improve for the run and I think we've got some interesting conversations to have with the team. She'll definitely turn up in a Guineas, whether that's at Newmarket or here we'll see, but in the future I'd say she'd probably turn up in the [June 14 G1] Prix de Diane [at Chantilly].”
The €600,000 Goffs Orby Book 1 yearling was swiftly into stride and raced off the clear leader in third until making the turn for home. Bounding ever closer under pressure in the straight, the 29-5 chance swooped for control with 100 metres remaining and stopped the clock with a comfortable 2 1/2-length buffer back to TDN Rising Star Narissa (Siyouni).
Very impressive!
The @karl_burke-trained Evolutionist roars home to strike in the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte under Shane Foley… pic.twitter.com/2fCKpI1UhL
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 12, 2026
Pedigree Notes
Evolutionist, a multiple Classic entry who becomes the 43rd Group-race winner for her sire, is the second of four foals and lone performer produced by G3 Sweet Solera Stakes third Model Guest (Showcasing). She is a full-sister to the unraced 2-year-old colt Louis Blanc and her 2025 half-sister by Ghaiyyath died last year. Her second dam Looks All Right (Danehill Dancer), who hails from the family of G1 2000 Guineas-winning sire To-Agori-Mou (Tudor Music), is a full-sister to G3 Weld Park Stakes victrix Venturi and the stakes-winning G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud third Feels All Right.
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE LA GROTTE-G3, €73,200, ParisLongchamp, 4-12, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:38.19, gd.
1–EVOLUTIONIST (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Night Of Thunder (Ire)
1st Dam: Model Guest (GB) (GSP-Eng), by Showcasing (GB)
2nd Dam: Looks All Right (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
3rd Dam: Zagreb Flyer (GB), by Old Vic (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€600,000 Ylg '24 GOFOR1). O-Forz Europe Ltd; B-Gigginstown House; T-Karl Burke; J-Shane Foley. €36,600. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng & GSP-Ire, 5-2-0-2, €123,072. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Narissa (Ire), 126, f, 3, Siyouni (Fr)–Narmeen (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire). TDN Rising Star. O/B-Aga Khan Studs; T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €14,640.
3–Pierchic (GB), 126, f, 3, Palace Pier (GB)–Tearless (GB), by Street Cry (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin; T-Henri-Alex Pantall. €10,980.
Margins: 2HF, SNK, HD. Odds: 5.80, 3.40, 14.00.
Also Ran: Green Spirit, Ceramic (Ire), Anashkaya (Ire), Kendelya (Fr).
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