By Tom Frary
Earning TDN Rising Star status on debut when winning over this trip at Yarmouth Aug. 22, Wild Illusion gained invaluable education when third in the G3 Prix d'Aumale over this course and distance Sept. 3 and had shown sufficient progression at home to warrant a supplementary fee for this contest, a Breeders' Cup qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar in November. Sent into a prominent spot from the outset by James Doyle, the bay overtook Ballydoyle's Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to sit behind the d'Aumale winner Soustraction (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) before being committed in early straight. Quickly asserting, the powerful homebred whose pedigree possesses stamina in abundance was not for catching as she emulated the same stable's 2016 winner Wuheida (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Charlie Appleby is thinking more of an Oaks campaign next term. “She is a very relaxed filly and we put the cheekpieces on to keep the concentration, but she's as genuine as the day is long and a lovely filly with a great pedigree,” he said. “That's her done and she will be put her away for next year now. I'm sure the Guineas will be considered, but she's a relentless galloper and on the back of that staying is going to be her game. I have to thank Sheikh Mohammed for letting us supplement her.” Polydream's trainer Freddy Head was a touch disappointed and said, “My filly didn't show the same sparkle as at Deauville and maybe it is because it is the end of the season. She was in good form in August, but it is different in October and also this was a mile and that was seven. She did finish like a filly that will stay further and is through for the season.”
Wild Illusion's dam Rumh was a smart middle-distance performer and stayer for this operation, winning the Listed Ballymacoll Stud Lord Weinstock Memorial S. by six lengths in 2011. Her first foal was last year's Listed Montrose S. winner Really Special (GB) (Shamardal), who was also third in the Listed Meydan Classic. The second dam is the G3 Preis der Winterkonigin heroine Royal Dubai, herself a half-sister to the top-class Royal Highness (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}). She captured the G2 Prix de Malleret and was second in the G1 Prix Vermeille and G1 Prix Ganay before winning the GI Beverly D S. and later produced the G2 Prix Hocquart and G2 Prix Dollar-winning sire Free Port Lux (GB). The fourth dam Gesedeh (Ire) (Ela-Mana-Mou {Ire}) took the G3 Prix de Flore and counts the G1 Dubai World Cup hero Electrocutionist (Red Ransom) and G1 Deutsches Derby hero Robertico (GB) (Robellino) among her descendants. Gesedeh is a half-sister to the dual Ascot Gold Cup scorer and champion stayer Ardross (Ire). Rumh also has a yearling filly by Oasis Dream (GB) and a 2017 full-brother to Wild Illusion.
Sunday, Chantilly, France
TOTAL PRIX MARCEL BOUSSAC – CRITERIUM DES POULICHES-G1, €300,000, CHY, 10-1, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:37.47, sf.
1–WILD ILLUSION (GB), 123, f, 2, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Rumh (Ger) (SW-Eng), by Monsun (Ger)
2nd Dam: Royal Dubai (Ger), by Dashing Blade (GB)
3rd Dam: Reem Dubai (Ire), by Nashwan
*1st stakes win. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle. €171,420. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, €187,651. *1/2 to Really Special (GB) (Shamardal), SW-Eng & SP-UAE, $108,180. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Polydream (Ire), 123, f, 2, Oasis Dream (GB)">Oasis Dream (GB)–Polygreen (Fr), by Green Tune. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Freddy Head. €68,580.
3–Mission Impassible (Ire), 123, f, 2, Galileo (Ire)–Margot Did (Ire), by Exceed and Excel (Aus). O-Riviera Equine SARL, Haras d'Etreham & Maurice Lagasse; B-Premier Bloodstock (IRE); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €34,290.
Margins: 1HF, HD, SHD. Odds: 15.50, 1.80, 8.00.
Also Ran: Magical (Ire), Zonza (Fr), Soustraction (Ire), Narella (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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