Regaining the thread from a stellar 2018 season, Godolphin dominated Europe's traditional first Pattern race of the year as the revived Soleil Marin (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}) led home a one-two for the operation in Sunday's G3 Prix Exbury at Saint-Cloud. Settled in mid-division throughout the early stages by Pierre-Charles Boudot, the 19-2 shot was left behind initially by Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro) deep into the straight but found his rhythm to wear down his unexposed stablemate in the last 100 metres. At the line, there was a 1 1/4-length margin between the Fabre duo, with last year's winner Air Pilot (GB) (Zamindar) three lengths back in third.
Godolphin's Lisa-Jane Graffard explained, “This is a really good result. Soleil Marin had been gelded and he's bounced back very nicely. We always knew he had quality, that is why he was bought privately as a 3-year-old and now he is back. The runner-up is a horse we've always liked, but he lacks inexperience as he had some health issues last year. He is definitely improving and ought also to have a nice season.”
Soleil Marin, homebred by the Fabres, was a smart 3-year-old in 2017 when winning the Listed Prix Francois Mathet here and the G3 Prix Noailles at Chantilly. Losing his way after, he showed glimpses of a comeback last autumn when collecting a
9 1/2-furlong conditions race on Chantilly's Polytrack and finishing third in the Listed Prix du Grand Camp over a mile and a half. Fittened for this with a return third behind another stablemate Trais Fluors (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and last year's G1 Prix du Cadran scorer Call the Wind (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the Prix Darshaan conditions race back on Chantilly's Polytrack Mar. 5, he was adding further kudos, if any was needed, to the Wertheimers' breeding operation on a day when their Shaman (Ire) (Shamardal) was taking the Listed Prix Omnium II.
Pedigree Notes
The dam Sousmarine (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), who was purchased out of the Wertheimer ranks at the 2011 Arqana December Sale for €150,000, is a daughter of the G2 Prix de Malleret runner-up Underwater (Theatrical {Ire}). The family features Legerete (Rahy), winner of the Malleret and third in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and G1 Prix de l'Opera, the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning sire Falco (Pivotal {GB}) and this stable's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Plumania (GB) (Anabaa). Also connected to the leading sire Groom Dancer, Sousmarine has a 2-year-old colt Sous Les Nuages (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}).
Sunday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX EXBURY-G3, €80,000, Saint-Cloud, 3-17, 4yo/up, 10fT, 2:17.29, vhy.
1–SOLEIL MARIN (IRE), 126, g, 5, by Kendargent (Fr)
1st Dam: Sousmarine (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire)
2nd Dam: Underwater, by Theatrical (Ire)
3rd Dam: Sea Hill, by Seattle Slew
O-Godolphin SNC; B-Ecurie Peregrine SAS (IRE); T-Andre Fabre;
J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 21-6-1-2,
€206,220. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Magny Cours, 126, c, 4, Medaglia d'Oro–Indy Five Hundred,
by A.P. Indy. O-Godolphin SNC; B-Godolphin (KY); T-Andre
Fabre. €16,000.
3–Air Pilot (GB), 126, g, 10, Zamindar–Countess Sybil (Ire), by
Dr Devious (Ire). O/B-Lady Cobham (GB); T-Ralph Beckett.
€12,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 3, 1. Odds: 9.50, 5.10, 2.30.
Also Ran: Sacred Life (Fr), Way To Paris (GB), King Platin (Fr), Ficelle Du Houley (Fr), Dolphin Vista (Ire), Tosen Gift (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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