Emirates Poule d'Essai Des Poulains: Where Did They Come From?

by Brian Sheerin & Heather Anderson

This colts' Classic appears to be Isaac Shelby (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire})'s to lose, after his G3 Greenham S. romp at Newbury. The Wathnan Racing runner is set to lock horns with the Coolmore partners' G3 2000 Guineas Trial S. winner Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}) among others, and, with only 10 runners, the draw is of minimal concern in Paris.

BREIZH SKY (FR), Pedro The Great–Anna Danse (Fr) (Anabaa)
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner: Alain Jathiere, Louis Baudron Et Al
Breeder: Haras des Evees, D & Mme C Cherdo
Trainer: Alessandro & Giuseppe Botti
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Placed at Group 1 level at two, he is the best of four winners for his dam. From the family of G1 German Oaks winner Toskana Belle (Fr) (Shamalgan {Fr}), this listed scorer could emerge with a piece of the spoils.

Nice prospect! Breizh Sky under Christophe Soumillon takes the Prix Roland de Chambure and makes it two from two for Alessandro & Giuseppe Botti @fgdeauville pic.twitter.com/gtESeCNR1N

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 10, 2022

MARHABA YA SANAFI (IRE), Muhaarar (GB)–Danega (GB) (Galileo {Ire})
Owner: Jaber Abdullah
Breeder: Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd.
Trainer: Andreas Schutz
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Second dam Danelissima (Ire) (Danehill) won the G3 Noblesse S., and this colt's extended family features Group 1 winners Intense Focus (Giant's Causeway) and Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy). Led early in the G3 Prix de Fontainbleau, but this March foal faces an uphill battle.

VALIMI (FR), Teofilo (Ire)–Valdaya (Fr) (Acclamation {GB})
Owner: His Highness The Aga Khan
Breeder: Haras de S A Aga Khan SCEA
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Produced by a half-sister to G1 Prix de Diane winner Valyra (GB) (Azamour {Ire}), Valimi has yet to be worse than second in three starts. However, this colts' Classic is his first try in black-type company.

VALIMI makes most of the running winning on debut at Deauville.

Teofilo 2yo, dam a 1/2 to Prix de Diane winner Valyra & Gr2 Valirann

Teofilo 100% with Acclamation mares incl Gr2 Masaat 🧐@AgaKhanStuds @CPacaut @DarleyStallions pic.twitter.com/5Nju1kG2SS

— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) October 20, 2022

KENDLY (FR), Kendargent (Fr)–Kindly Dismiss (Fr) (Excellent Art {GB})
Owner: Gerard Augustin-Normand & Stephen Lahmi
Breeder: Guy Pariente Holding
Trainer: Philippe Sogorb
Sales History: €38,000 Arqana October yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: This stakes-winning brother to stakes winner Surrey Mist (Fr) is related to GI Garden City S. heroine Alterite (Fr) (Literato {Ire}). Second to budding favourite American Flag (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) previously, he needs to step forward again here.

KNIGHT (IRE), Mehmas (Ire)–Fidaaha (Ire) (New Approach {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner: KHK Racing Ltd.
Breeder: Tally-Ho Stud
Trainers: Simon & Ed Crisford
Sales History: 210,000gns Tattersall October Book 1 yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The G3 Horris Hill S. winner is a brother to the classy Malavath (Ire), and their dam is a half-sister to multiple group winner Steip Amach (Ire) (Vocalised). Adrift in Isaac Shelby's G3 Greenham, Knight will need to run a career best to gain Classic laurels.

AMERICAN FLAG (FR), Wootton Bassett (GB)–Tres Americanqueen (Fr) (American Post {GB})
Owner: Malcolm Parrish
Breeder: Chevotel De La Hauquerie
Trainer: Yann Barberot
Sales History: €102,000 Arqana August yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: A half-brother to four individual winners, he is the eighth foal out of Tres Americanqueen, herself a half-sister to six black-type horses. They include German Derby runner-up Tres Blue (Ire) (Anabaa Blue {GB}). American Flag has been impressive in both of his starts this season and sets a good standard.

Prix Omnium Ii (Listed)
1600 m, 55.000 EUR, for 3yo C&G
Saint Cloud

American Flag (FR)
(3C Wootton Bassett – Tres Americanqueen, by American Post)
J : C Soumillon
T : Y. Barberot
O :Malcolm Parrish
B :Chevotel De La Hauqueriepic.twitter.com/7pgB9TbGal

— (@WorldRacing1) March 18, 2023

GOOD GUESS (GB), Kodiac (GB)–Zykina (GB) (Pivotal {GB})
Owner: Hisaaki Saito
Breeder: Cheveley Park Stud Limited
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Sales History: 420,000gns buy at Tattersalls October Book 1
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-brother to Group 3 winner Spangled (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), nine-time winner Jumira Bridge (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and two other winners. Hails from a good family, with his dam Zykina being a daughter of 1000 Guineas and four-time Group 1 winner Russian Rhythm (Kingmambo). On the up but improvement required to get involved.

Prix Djebel (G3)
1400 m, 80.000 EUR
Deauville

Good Guess (GB)
(3C Kodiac – Zykina, by Pivotal)
J :S. Pasquier
T : F. Chappet
O :Hisaaki Saito
Breizh Sky
Belbek
B : @CPStudOfficialpic.twitter.com/KIcx7R5Rpz

— (@WorldRacing1) April 6, 2023

ISAAC SHELBY (GB), Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Kentucky Belle (Ire) (Heliostatic {Ire})
Owner: Wathnan Racing
Breeder: Elaine Chivers
Trainer: Brian Meehan
Sales History: £92,000 Goffs UK Premier yearling; sold privately after G3 Greenham S. win.
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Dam an unraced half-sister to U.S. Grade II winner Ramazutti (Honor Grades). Hugely impressive winner of the Greenham on his return, after which, his trainer stated that all roads would lead here. Looks a major player and a fascinating first runner for his new owners in Europe.

A brilliant finish between two hugely exciting youngsters @NewmarketRace! ⭐️

Isaac Shelby (Night Of Thunder) just gets the better of Victory Dance (Dubawi) to make it two from two for the @brianmeehanltd team in the G2 bet365 Superlative Stakes @LeveySean pic.twitter.com/bAPTGTB03Y

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 9, 2022

HANS ANDERSEN (GB), Frankel (GB)–Shadow Hunter (Ire) (Arcano {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner: Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith
Breeder: Sun Bloodstock
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Sales History: Tattersalls Book 1 yearling buy at 450,000gns
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Dam a Listed-winning two-year-old over five furlongs out of a half-sister to 1000 Guineas-placed Super Sleuth (Ire) (Selkirk). Hans Anderson was an impressive winner of a 2000 Guineas trial at Leopardstown on his return and could be open to plenty of improvement.

2000 Guineas Trial (G3)
1420m, Group III, 55.000 EUR, for 3yo
Leopardstown

Hans Andersen (GB)
(3C Frankel – Shadow Hunter, by Arcano)
J :Ryan Moore
T :A.P. O'Brien
O :Westerberg, Mrs J.Magnier, M.Tabor, D.Smith
B :Sun Bloodstock Sarlpic.twitter.com/rGH9jHJzSL

— (@WorldRacing1) April 2, 2023

KUBRICK (Ire), Dubawi (Ire)–Rosa Bonheur (Mr. Greeley)
Owner/Breeder: White Birch Farm
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-brother to Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a triple Grade I winner in America, out of the listed-placed Rosa Bonheur, who in turn is a daughter of the Group 2-winning Rolly Polly (Ire) (Mukaddamah). Well-held by Good Guess on his seasonal return.

Here's Kubrick! The Dubawi colt shines late on to beat Adelaide River in the Group 3 Prix des Chenes at @paris_longchamp! @CristianDemuro pic.twitter.com/Z74MeDbrrQ

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 8, 2022