Off the mark when making virtually all by six lengths on debut over a mile at Deauville Aug. 23, National Defense was third when more restraint was applied in the G3 Prix des Chenes over this course and distance Sept. 8 but was allowed his head this time and duly turned this prestigious affair into a procession. Sent straight to the lead by Pierre-Charles Boudot, the bay was followed closely by Whitecliffsofdover up to the start of the home straight but shook him off and surged away for an emphatic success as Salouen stayed on to deny Ballydoyle's representative the runner's-up spot. In the process, the bay was registering a fifth win in this for Criquette Head-Maarek and she said, “I am so thrilled. You have to let him do his running in front like he did on his first career start–that's the only way for him to relax. He has a high cruising speed and travels so well and quickens. This is a new owner in my yard and I think now we'll keep him back until next season and get him ready for the Classics.”
A half-brother to the listed-placed Cascading (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Makfi (GB), the winner is out of an unraced half to the G3 Prix de la Grotte winner and G1 Irish 1000 Guineas second Anna Salai (Dubawi {Ire}), as well as the talented pair of Godolphin runners Iguazu Falls (Pivotal {GB}) and Advice (GB) (Seeking the Gold). Angel Falls descends from the G3 Prix d'Aumale winner Anna Palariva and G3 Park Hill S.-winning highweight Anna of Saxony, who boasts the GI Flower Bowl Invitational S. heroine Ave (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) among her descendants. Anna of Saxony is one of three group winners out of Anna Matrushka (GB) (Mill Reef), who is a daughter of the G2 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) heroine Anna Paola (Ger) (Prince Ippi {Ger}) and is the second dam of the sires Helmet (Aus) and Epaulette (Aus).
Sunday, Chantilly, France
QATAR PRIX JEAN-LUC LAGARDERE – GRAND CRITERIUM (SPONSORISEE PAR AL HAZM GROUP)-G1, €350,000, CHY, 10-2, 2yo, c/f, 8fT, 1:35.53, gd.
1–#@&NATIONAL DEFENSE (GB), 126, c, 2, by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
1st Dam: Angel Falls (GB), by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: Anna Palariva (Ire), by Caerleon
3rd Dam: Anna of Saxony (GB), by Ela-Mana-Mou (Ire)
(€280,000 Ylg '15 ARAUG). O-Sun Bloodstock SARL; B-Ecuries des Monceaux & Meridian International SARL (GB); T-Criquette Head-Maarek; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. €199,990. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, €224,490. *1/2 to Cascading (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Salouen (Ire), 126, c, 2, Canford Cliffs (Ire)–Gali Gal (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (€85,000 Ylg '15 GOFSPT). O-Hiran Balasuriya; B-Silvercon Edgerodge Ltd (IRE); T-Sylvester Kirk. €80,010.
3–Whitecliffsofdover, 126, c, 2, War Front">War Front–Orate, by A.P. Indy. ($1,150,000 Ylg '15 KEESEP). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Claiborne Farm (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien. €40,005.
Margins: 4HF, SNK, 2. Odds: 4.30, 9.30, 1.60.[bullet ad=”us-bred-ky-bred-keen-grad”][bullet ad=”irt-shell”]Also Ran: Kontrastat (Fr), King of Spades (Fr), Thais (Fr), Utah (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
