Medaglia d'Oro's Talismanic Takes the Gontaut-Biron

Talismanic | Scoop Dyga

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Not seen in Europe in 2018 before Wednesday, Godolphin's GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Talismanic (GB) (Medaglia d'Oro) returned to remind all of his capabilities in Deauville's G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron. Only ninth tried on the dirt in the Mar. 31 G1 Dubai World Cup, the flashy bay travelled easily back on turf as Mickael Barzalona waited patiently in mid-division. Committed turning for home, the even-money favourite took over from the long-time leader Subway Dancer (Ire) (Shamardal) with two furlongs remaining and quickly asserted to record a two-length success. “He didn't appreciate the race on the dirt and needed a long break, but he has come back really well,” trainer Andre Fabre said. “His target is the [G1 Prix de l'] Arc [de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp Oct. 7] and he will have one more run in between in the [G2] Prix Foy [at ParisLongchamp Sept. 16].”

Talismanic, whose defeat of Beach Patrol (Lemon Drop Kid) and Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) at Del Mar in November was not easily explained at the time other than to credit it to yet another example of the fabled workings of Andre Fabre, proved it was no fluke when runner-up to the latter in the Dec. 10 G1 Hong Kong Vase. He looked to have grown further in confidence here and it is only a year since he was winning over 14 furlongs in the G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil at Saint-Cloud. With the talented stablemate Wren's Day (Medaglia d'Oro), who was second to Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp last time Apr. 29, to guide him through this return he was never out of his comfort zone.

The dam Magic Mission (GB) (Machiavellian) was another who left her fair European form behind when sent to the States and ended up the winner of the GIII Royal Heroine S. and third in the GI Matriarch S. The third dam is the GIII Vineland H. winner and GII Matchmaker S. and G2 Sun Chariot S. runner-up Capo di Monte (Ire) (Final Straw {GB}), in turn a half-sister to the G1 Aral-Pokal-winning highweight and G1 Epsom Oaks runner-up Wind In Her Hair (Ire) (Alzao). She is now renowned as the dam of the Japanese champion Deep Impact (Jpn). Unfortunately, Magic Mission's 2016 colt by Invincible Spirit (Ire) died as a foal, while in 2017 she was barren to Muhaarar (GB).

Wednesday, Deauville, France
PRIX GONTAUT-BIRON HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 8-15, 4yo/up, 10fT, 2:09.72, g/s.
1–TALISMANIC (GB), 123, h, 5, by Medaglia d'Oro">Medaglia d'Oro
1st Dam: Magic Mission (GB) (GSW & GISP-US, GSP-Fr, $398,111), by Machiavellian
2nd Dam: Dream Ticket, by Danzig
3rd Dam: Capo di Monte (Ire), by Final Straw (GB)
O-Godolphin; B-Darley (GB); T-Andre Fabre; J-Mickael Barzalona. €40,000. Lifetime Record: GISW-US & G1SP-HK, 20-8-6-1, €2,987,793. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Subway Dancer (Ire), 126, g, 6, Shamardal–Sub Rose (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (€60,000 RNA Ylg '13 AROCT; €3,000 3yo '15 ARNOV). O-Ecurie Bonanza; B-Haras de Saint Pair (IRE); T-Zdeno Koplik. €16,000.
3–First Sitting (GB), 123, g, 7, Dansili (GB)–Aspiring Diva, by Distant View. (15,000gns 2yo '14 TA14; 35,000gns 4yo '15 TA15). O-Bringloe & Clarke; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Chris Wall. €12,000.
Margins: 2, SNK, NK. Odds: 1.00, 20.00, 9.00.
Also Ran: Master's Spirit (Ire), Syrita (Fr), Alignement (GB), Wren's Day. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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