By Tom Frary
It was a case of another group 1 race for 2-year-old fillies, another win for the Jessie Harrington stable as the Niarchos Family's Albigna (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) overcame testing ground to stamp her authority on the Arc card's opening Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac. Eight days after the yard's Millisle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) upset the odds in the G1 Cheveley Park S., the June 28 G2 Airlie Stud S. winner brought up the brace despite not appearing to appreciate the tacky surface. Racing with three behind early, the chestnut who was away from The Curragh for the first time and who had excuses when disappointing in sixth in the Sept. 15 G1 Moyglare Stud S. picked up in the straight to reel in the long-time leader Marieta (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) 100 metres from the line. Forging ahead as that rival paid for her early exertions, the 4-1 shot saw out the mile strongly to stretch the winning margin to 2 1/2 lengths, with Marieta a half length ahead of Flighty Lady (Ire) (Sir Percy {GB}) in third.
The operation's Alan Cooper was basking in the taking of yet another major prize on this fixture for one of France's most distinguished racing brands. “We have always held her in the highest esteem and she had been showing great things at home,” he said. “Last time, when she ran a moderate race she was in season and feeling uncomfortable. Before the race, she was even trying to bite her flanks, so that's the reason why she ran badly. We are obviously delighted that she has proven herself at the highest level and has done what we expected, so we are full of hope for next season.”
Marieta, who had also been 2 1/2 lengths behind the subsequent Cheveley Park S. third Tropbeau (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) when runner-up in the G2 Prix du Calvados at Deauville, delighted trainer Mauricio Delcher Sanchez who said, “She obviously lacks some stamina, especially on that ground. Had it been fast, she might have stayed but today it was too far. Hats off to the winner, who was brilliant and we now know we have a very good filly on our hands. We can now map out a program for next year.” Chantilly-based Gavin Hernon was also celebrating the effort of Flighty Lady, who had been third behind Savarin (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn})–the 14-5 favourite here who ultimately failed to fire in seventh–in the G3 Prix d'Aumale. “We are delighted, it's a great result,” he said. “We are absolutely thrilled, especially as we think she is not really a 2-year-old and more one for next season.”
Albigna, who had come from behind on both her first two starts when beating the Ballydoyle pair of Tango (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Precious Moments (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in her six-furlong maiden May 24 and the Airlie Stud S. June 28 respectively, is a half-sister to the listed-winning sprinter Polybius (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) whose best weapon was also a closing surge. It is a surprise that the dam Freedonia (GB) (Selkirk) has been responsible for progeny with speed, as she was most effectiver over middle distances as she proved when winning the G2 Prix de Pomone over 12 1/2 furlongs and finishing runner-up in the GI Turf Classic Invitational.
Freedonia is a granddaughter of Napoli (GB) (Baillamont), who scored three times in listed company and was also third in the G3 Prix Minerve before supplying this operation's GI Breeders' Cup Mile hero Domedriver (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) and the G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange scorer Tau Ceti (GB) (Hernando {Fr}). Napoli's dam Bella Senora (Northern Dancer) is a full-sister to the brilliant G1 2000 Guineas winner and sire El Gran Senor as well as to the G1 Dewhurst S.-winning sire Try My Best. Freedonia also has a yearling filly by The Gurkha (Ire).
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX MARCEL BOUSSAC – CRITERIUM DES POULICHES-G1, €400,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-6, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:41.26, vsf.
1–ALBIGNA (IRE), 123, f, 2, by Zoffany (Ire)
1st Dam: Freedonia (GB) (GSW-Fr & GISP-US, $268,241), by Selkirk
2nd Dam: Forest Rain (Fr), by Caerleon
3rd Dam: Napoli (GB), by Baillamont
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Niarchos Family (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington; J-Shane Foley. €228,560. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, 4-3-0-0, €321,580. *1/2 to Polybius (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), SW & GSP-Eng, $186,994. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Marieta (Fr), 123, f, 2, Siyouni (Fr)–Macarella (Ire), by Shamardal. O/B-Cuadra Mediterraneo (FR); T-Mauricio Delcher Sanchez. €91,440.
3–Flighty Lady (Ire), 123, f, 2, Sir Percy (GB)–Airfield (GB), by Dansili (GB). (21,000gns Ylg '18 TAOCT). O-Paul Hancock; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Gavin Hernon. €45,720.
Margins: 2HF, HF, 1HF. Odds: 4.20, 5.80, 9.00.
Also Ran: Bionic Woman (Ire), Plegastell (Fr), Fee Historique (Fr), Savarin (Jpn), Kenlova (Fr), Nunzia (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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