Sixth when making his debut as The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}) took the honours in the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot June 19, Ventura Tormenta (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) had made enough strides in the interim to reverse that form and cause an upset in Sunday's G2 Darley Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly. Coming back to six furlongs having finished fifth in Newmarket's G2 Superlative S. over seven July 11, Middleham Park Racing's bay broke sharply to lead against the rail under Christophe Soumillon. Tackled by The Lir Jet and briefly headed inside the final furlong, the 7-1 shot managed to get his head down first and prevail in the bobber by a short head from the 2-5 favourite, with Tiger Tanaka (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) just a neck back in third in a three-way go.
Ventura Tormenta had won a novice contest over six furlongs at Yarmouth July 4 and the fact that he was pitched into the Superlative a week later speaks volumes for his constitution. Far from disgraced in what is probably the best 2-year-old race run so far this season, he was having his fourth start in a month here and his rider said, “He jumped fast and Mr Hannon told me to let him go. I thought Oisin [Murphy] had come to take me, but we were on the right stride at the post. He has quality, was well-behaved and professional today. This is an uphill track which is more like 1300 metres and it suited him.”
The Lir Jet's trainer Michael Bell said of the runner-up, who was stepping up from five furlongs for the first time, “It's a little bit annoying to be beaten like that–he was in front a shade before and after the post and it was just a bob of the head. I don't think he ran to the same rating as at Ascot, so you couldn't blame the trip. It was disappointing.” Trainer Charley Rossi said of the previously-unbeaten Tiger Tanaka, who was right in the mix at the finish having raced in claimers on her first three starts, “We're very proud of her. She has a big heart. She has won over a mile already and I'm certain this isn't her best trip. We'll give her a rest and maybe bring her back for something like the [G3] Prix d'Aumale.”
Ventura Tormenta is out of Midnight Oasis (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a half-sister to the G3 Ballyogan S. scorer Miss Anabaa (GB) (Anabaa) who is in turn the second dam of the Listed Ripon Champion Two Year Old Trophy winner and G3 Pavilion S. third Enjazaat (GB) also by Acclamation. She is also related to the recent Listed Maggie Dickson S. winner Mubtasimah (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), the G3 Prix du Bois winner Fly on the Night (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) and the G1 July Cup-winning sire Owington (GB) (Green Desert). Her yearling colt by Starspangledbanner (Aus) was a €40,000 purchase by Redwall Bloodstock at the Goffs November Foal Sale.
Sunday, Chantilly, France
DARLEY PRIX ROBERT PAPIN-G2, €90,000, Chantilly, 7-19, 2yo, 6fT, 1:10.85, g/s.
1–VENTURA TORMENTA (IRE), 129, c, 2, by Acclamation (GB)
1st Dam: Midnight Oasis (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB)
2nd Dam: Midnight Shift (Ire), by Night Shift
3rd Dam: Old Domesday Book (GB), by High Top (Ire)
1st BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1st GROUP WIN. (40,000gns RNA Wlg '18 TATFOA; £95,000 Ylg '19 GOUKPR). O-Middleham Park Racing IV; B-Kevin Blake (IRE); T-Richard Hannon; J-Christophe Soumillon. €51,300. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0, €57,452. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–The Lir Jet (Ire), 129, c, 2, Prince of Lir (Ire)–Paper Dreams (Ire), by Green Desert. (€9,500 Wlg '18 TATFBR; £8,000 Ylg '19 GOFFPR). O-Qatar Racing Ltd; B-Donal Boylan (IRE); T-Michael Bell. €19,800.
3–Tiger Tanaka (Ire), 126, f, 2, Clodovil (Ire)–Miss Phillyjinks (Ire), by Zoffany (Ire). (€6,500 Ylg '19 TIRSEP). O-Miguel Castro Megias; B-Kellsgrange Stud (IRE); T-Charley Rossi. €9,450.
Margins: SHD, NK, DIST. Odds: 7.20, 1.40, 6.40.
Also Ran: Axdavali (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
