By Sean Cronin
Coolmore, Westerberg & Brant's G2 Prix Robert Papin second The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}–Anna Law {Ire}, by Lawman {Fr}), a 750,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 full-brother to Battaash (Ire), rebounded off that Chantilly defeat to secure a first stakes success in Tuesday's G3 Darley Prix de Cabourg at Deauville. The February-foaled grey had earlier backed up two early-season wins with a seventh in Royal Ascot's June 16 G2 Norfolk S. before hitting the board in June's Listed Tipperary S. in his last-but-one start. Missing a beat at the kick, the crowd's 6-5 pick soon recovered to race on the heels of the leaders in fourth. Shaken up and angled into clear either side of the two pole, he made his challenge at the furlong marker and was driven out by Ryan Moore in the closing stages to assert by a length from Manhattan Jungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}). Michael Bell trainee Kerindia (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) completed a sweep for the overseas raiders and finished 3/4-of-a-length adrift in third.
“The Antarctic had run so well last time out and he is a lovely, improving horse,” said Aidan O'Brien after bridging a 24-year gap back to his only prior winner of the contest, Hunan (Ire) (College Chapel {GB}), in 1998. “He has progressed with every run, he's gone very professional and is going the right way and we're very happy. Ryan [Moore] said the trip is no problem, from five, six or seven [furlongs], because he relaxes and quickens well. That's a good sign. He's got a great physique and a good mind. He relaxed very well today and had a good trip throughout. We will see what could be next, but he could be a horse for the [Aug. 21 G1] Prix Morny. That was the reason for coming here today and that's what we're thinking at the moment.”
Moore, who swept both juvenile pattern races and would later add the Listed Prix Carrousel for a successful afternoon's work, added, “He is a lovely sort, he is very well bred obviously, being a full-brother to Battaash, and he's a very easy horse to ride. He is uncomplicated and has improved with every run because he is just learning how to run. He has benefitted from the experience of racing.”
The Antarctic, the fifth of six foals, is one of two scorers out of Anna Law (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), herself a half-sister to four black-type performers headed by G2 Champagne S. victor and G1 July Cup third Etlaala (GB) (Selkirk). His dam's first foal is multiple Group 1-winning speedster Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and her latest is a yearling filly by Lope De Vega (Ire). Descendants of the The Antarctic's second dam Portelet (GB) (Night Shift) also include multiple Group-winning dual Group 1-placed sire Tasleet (GB) (Showcasing {GB}).
Tuesday, Deauville, France
DARLEY PRIX DE CABOURG-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 8-2, 2yo, 6fT, 1:09.55, g/s.
1–THE ANTARCTIC (IRE), 126, c, 2, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Anna Law (Ire), by Lawman (Fr)
2nd Dam: Portelet (GB), by Night Shift
3rd Dam: Noirmant (Ire), by Dominion (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (750,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Westerberg, Brant; B-Ballyphilip Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €40,000. Lifetime Record: SP-Ire, 6-3-1-1, €109,180. *Full to Battaash (Ire), MG1SW-Eng & G1SW-Fr, $2,286,611. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Manhattan Jungle (Ire), 122, f, 2, Bungle Inthejungle (GB)–Skylight (Ire), by Acclamation (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€20,000 Ylg '21 GOFSPT). O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B-Patrick F Headon (IRE); T-Amy Murphy. €16,000.
3–Kerindia (Ire), 122, f, 2, Cotai Glory (GB)–Coursing (GB), by Kyllachy (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (£24,000 Ylg '21 TATIRY; 65,000gns 2yo '22 TATBRE). O-Peter Trainor; B-Rossenarra Stud (IRE); T-Michael Bell. €12,000.
Margins: 1, 3/4, 2. Odds: 1.20, 13.00, 39.00.
Also Ran: Sivana (Fr), Belbek (Fr), Denver Chop (Fr), Wootton City (Fr), Queen Kahina, Good Guess (GB), Royal Lea (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
Plenty of talent! The Antarctic lands the Group 3 @DarleyEurope Prix de Cabourg at @fgdeauville for Aidan O'Brien, giving Ryan Moore at double on the day… pic.twitter.com/mvZ7AmyLiX
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 2, 2022
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