By Sean Cronin
Manhattan Jungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}–Skylight {Ire}, by Acclamation {GB}) annexed a five-furlong newcomers' heat at Chantilly in her Apr. 13 unveiling and doubled up, at the expense of the reopposing subsequent winner Sabya (Fr) (Pedro The Great), over the same distance at Lyon Parilly in her Apr. 26 return last time. Breaking sharply to race on the front end from flagfall in this black-type debut, she went clear when asked to stretch soon after passing the two pole and was pushed out in the closing stages to easily hold the late bid of Exxtra (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) by 1 3/4 lengths for a career high and a perfect three-for-three record.
“Manhattan Jungle came onto our radar immediately after her debut at Chantilly,” said Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Aron Wellman. “She looked like a fast filly with gears, who could potentially be a [G2] Queen Mary prospect for Royal Ascot. I saw the race and liked it. But, in all candour, when my good friend and colleague Mike Levy pushed me on her, which is a rare thing for him to do, I got much more serious about pursuing her as a purchase for Eclipse. Then, when another good friend and colleague, Jamie Lloyd, contacted me with an in to get a deal done, it was go-time. It all came together beautifully and we turned around within two weeks and won an allowance at Lyon [Parilly], which inspired us to go for the Listed race at Vichy today as a test to see if she was, in fact, a bona fide Royal Ascot contender.”
Wellman added, “Eclipse has only run three horses at Royal Ascot, with a second from our US-based filly Sharing in the G1 Coronation S. in 2020 and we won the Queen Mary last year with a filly named Quick Suzy, who we acquired privately in Ireland after her debut, similar to how we came across Manhattan Jungle. Our partners at Eclipse have a voracious appetite for having legitimate runners at Royal Ascot and our base is becoming increasingly game for international action in Europe and Australia, so we're delighted Manhattan Jungle might take our partners back for another thrilling tilt at the Royal Meeting with a very smart, talented and classy filly. Amy Murphy has been brilliant in executing the game plan we mapped out when we acquired Manhattan Jungle and now we just have to hope that the filly can manage to maintain her pristine trajectory as we embark upon a much more serious challenge heading to Ascot. The world is getting so small, particularly in our industry, and it's wonderful to have an Irish-bred filly, who is three-for-three in France and now destined for Royal Ascot in England and will be supported by a strong contingent of American owners. Very cool stuff!”
Smart juvenile! Manhattan Jungle remains unbeaten with a convincing win in the Listed event at @HippodromeVichy for @almracing, @mickaelbarzalon and @EclipseTBP pic.twitter.com/lv3yEu3LKH
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 20, 2022
Manhattan Jungle is the third foal and first stakes performer, from three winners, produced by a winning granddaughter of Listed Criterium de l'Ouest and Listed Prix Ronde de Nuit placegetter Plissetskaia (Fr) (Caerleon). Plissetskaia produced three black-type performers of her own, namely Listed Prix de Pontarme winner Indianski (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), MGSP G2 Union-Rennen third Palao (Ger) (Champs Elysees {GB}) and Listed Prix Petite Etoile third La Gohanniere (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}). The January-foaled bay is half to a yearling filly by Sioux Nation.
Friday, Vichy, France
PRIX DES REVES D'OR – JACQUES BOUCHARA-Listed, €60,000, Vichy, 5-20, 2yo, 5fT, :57.01, sf.
1–MANHATTAN JUNGLE (IRE), 122, f, 2, Bungle Inthejungle (GB)
1st Dam: Skylight (Ire), by Acclamation (GB)
2nd Dam: Swingsky (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
3rd Dam: Plissetskaia (Fr), by Caerleon
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€20,000 Ylg '21 GOFSPT). O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B-Patrick F Headon (IRE); T-Amy Murphy; J-Mickael Barzalona. €30,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, €57,000.
2–Exxtra (Fr), 122, f, 2, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Rolling Stone (Ire), by Raven's Pass. 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€26,000 Ylg '21 ARQOCT). O-Mme Anja Wilde; B-Mme Isabelle Corbani & SARL Jedburgh Stud (FR); T-Carlos & Yann Lerner. €12,000.
3–Sabya (Fr), 122, f, 2, Pedro The Great–Pacific Chalnetta (Fr), by Planteur (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Christian Berland, Jean-Marc Baillet & Philippe Sogorb; B-Jean-Claude Crouton & Michel Crouton (FR); T-Philippe Sogorb. €9,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, 1HF, 2HF. Odds: 1.50, 3.10, 4.40.
Also Ran: Fix You (GB), Rosie Rocket (Fr). Video, sponsored by TVG.
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