By Sean Cronin
Etienne and Gregoire Leenders trainee Mister Saint Paul (Fr) (Dariyan {Fr}) took five attempts to shed maiden status as a juvenile, doing so in Deauville's Oct. 20 Listed Prix Isonomy, and came back this term to finish just off the podium in Saint-Cloud's Mar. 19 Listed Prix Omnium II, his most recent outing. Virtually unconsidered as the 217-10 outsider-of-six for Sunday's G3 Prix La Force at ParisLongchamp, he turned the form book upside down and exhibited a tenacious attitude to record a career high in the nine-furlong test. The eventual winner was swiftly into stride for early control and stacked up the field in behind, but was headed by Tumbler (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) as that rival tanked to the front at the halfway mark. Easing back to the fore soon after turning for home, he came under increased pressure inside the two pole and was driven out to deny his Omnium conqueror Dreamflight (GB) (Frankel {GB}) by a fast-diminishing short head for a career high in game fashion.
“Nobody believed in this horse at odds of 22-1, but we had faith in him because he's a real fighter and puts his heart into everything on the track,” commented trainer Gregoire Leenders. “His jockey [Theo Bachelot] gave him a beautiful ride and we are delighted for the owners. I'd also like to thank the staff at home for all their hard work in making these days possible. I think, and I've always thought, he is better over a mile. He's entered in the [May 15 G1] Poule d'Essai des Poulains and [June 5 G1] Prix du Jockey and the result of today's race tells us that both remain possibilities. We will take time to enjoy this before deciding on the route forward.”
Mister Saint Paul, who becomes the first group winner for his second-crop sire (by Shamardal), is the fourth of five foals and leading performer out of Elusive Kay (Fr) (Elusive City), herself a multiple-winning half to Listed Prix Melisande third Moskova (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and a granddaughter of Luna Celtica (Ire) (Celtic Swing {GB}). The latter has three stakes performers to her credit, headed by G3 Prix Andre Baboin victor Celtic Rock (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), and she is kin to six stakes performers including G3 Prix de Psyche victrix Luna Kya (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}) and dual stakes scorer King Luna (Fr) (King's Best). King Luna is the dam of G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte winner Kiram (Fr) (Elusive City). The February-foaled bay is kin to a yearling colt by Birchwood (Ire) and hails from the family of the G1SW siblings Linamix (Fr) (Mendez {Fr}) and Luna Wells (Ire) (Sadler's Wells).
Sunday, Deauville, France
PRIX LA FORCE-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-10, 3yo, c/g, 9fT, 1:59.54, vsf.
1–MISTER SAINT PAUL (FR), 126, c, 2, by Dariyan (Fr)
1st Dam: Elusive Kay (Fr), by Elusive City
2nd Dam: Lunashkaya (GB), by Muhtathir (GB)
3rd Dam: Luna Celtica (Ire), by Celtic Swing (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN. (€10,000 RNA Ylg '20 ARQOCT). O-Ecurie Bernd & Torsten Raber, Luc Josse, Pierre Klimenko, Daniel Le Fur, Denis Marin, Julien Chevallereau, Aline Petitgas, Francoise Lasne & Noel Raby; B-Mme Annie Delarue (FR); T-Etienne & Gregoire Leenders; J-Theo Bachelot. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 7-2-2-1, €90,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dreamflight (GB), 128, c, 3, Frankel (GB)–Dream Peace (Ire), by Dansili (GB). O/B-Lady Bamford (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €16,000.
3–Valmer Magic (Fr), 128, c, 3, Gris de Gris (Ire)–Magic Roundabout (Fr), by Spinning World. O-Bertrand Milliere, Ecurie Jean-Paul Gauvin, Christian Goutelle, Christian Porte & Jean-Pierre Gauvin; B-Christian Porte (FR); T-Jean-Pierre Gauvin. €12,000.
Margins: SHD, 1, 1 1/4. Odds: 21.70, 2.80, 9.00.
Also Ran: Tumbler (Fr), Machete (Fr), Caracal (Fr). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
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