By Tom Frary
Thursday's card at Chantilly witnessed Europe's first TDN Rising Star of 2023 as Ballymore Thoroughbred Ltd's Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}–Painter's Pride {Fr}, by Dansili {GB}) powered to an impressive success in the 9 1/2-furlong Prix du Chateau de la Reine Blanche for unraced 3-year-old fillies. Away smartly under Alexis Pouchin, the 1-2 favourite who is a half-sister to the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal winner and G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen third Canvassed (Ire) (Shamardal) and who hails from the Wildenstein dynasty of the champion Peintre Celebre was in front before two furlongs had been covered.
Stretching clear in early straight, the Andre Fabre-trained bay was already being eased down a furlong from the finish and was four lengths ahead of the Fabrice Chappet newcomer Crown Princesse (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) there, with another three lengths back to Hasapiko (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}) from the Stephane Wattel stable. With no prompting from the saddle during the closing stages, Pensee Du Jour still covered the last three furlongs on the Polytrack in 34.64 seconds and her entries in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix Saint-Alary do not look fanciful on this first piece of evidence.
For Camelot, this is a seventh TDN Rising Star, with Sir Dragonet (Ire) and Santa Barbara (Ire) the pick so far. The dam was the 13th foal out of the GII Long Island H. winner Peinture Bleue (Alydar), who proved such a font of success for the Wildensteins with the aforementioned Arc and Prix du Jockey Club hero Peintre Celebre the pick of her offerings. She also provided the stud with the G2 Prix de Pomone scorer Peinture Rare (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), the G3 Prix de Barbeville winner Pointilliste (Giant's Causeway) and the listed scorer Peinture Rose (Storm Cat).
Peinture Bleue's winless daughter Pine Chip, a full-sister to Peintre Celebre, is the ancestress of the South African champion Jet Dark (SAf) (Trippi), while other descendants include the G3 JRA Cup winner Desert Icon (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and the GIII Fall Highweight H. scorer Hopeful Treasure (Oxbow). The third dam is Petroleuse (Ire), who was successful in the G3 Princess Elizabeth S. and is kin to the champion Pawneese (Ire) and ancestress of the sires Policy Maker (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), Planteur (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}.
3rd-Chantilly, €27,000, Debutantes, 2-16, 3yo, f, 9 1/2f (AWT), 1:56.88, st.
PENSEE DU JOUR (IRE), f, 3, by Camelot (GB)
1st Dam: Painter's Pride (Fr), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Peinture Bleue, by Alydar
3rd Dam: Petroleuse (Ire), by Habitat
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. O-Ballymore Thoroughbred Ltd; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
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