By Sean Cronin
Seven newcomers went to post for ParisLongchamp's opening contest of Sunday afternoon, the 10 1/2-furlong Prix Juigne for unraced 3-year-old colts and geldings, and it was Coolmore and Westerberg's Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}–Whatami {GB}, by Daylami {Ire}), who returned with a 'TDN Rising Star' after outpointing his rivals in the style of an above-average individual.
Patiently ridden off the tempo in seventh for the most part, the 8-5 favourite eased forward off the home turn and lengthened clear in taking fashion once quickening to the fore at the furlong pole to easily account for Godolphin's Kind Of Kiss (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) by an impressive 3 1/2 lengths.
“Delius is a nice horse, who will develop into a good middle-distance prospect,” commented trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. “The more we advance through the season, the better he will be. He quickened really nicely and won well, so that is most encouraging.”
Delius is the ninth of 11 foals and fifth scorer produced by a full-sister to Listed Chesham S. victrix Whazzat (GB) (Daylami {Ire}), herself the dam of G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest runner-up and dual Group-winning sire James Garfield (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). Descendants of his second dam Wosaita (GB) (Generous {Ire}), herself a half-sister to G1 Prix de Diane-winning matriarch Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), also include multiple Grade I-winning US champion and GI Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Uni (GB) (More Than Ready). The February-foaled bay is a full-brother to multiple Group-placed Listed Wolferton S. winner Juan Elcano (GB) and a half to G3 Hoppings S. victrix Nkosikazi (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). He is also kin to a 2-year-old filly by Sea The Moon (Ger) and a yearling filly by Kingman (GB).
1st-ParisLongchamp, €27,000, Mdn, 4-7, unraced 3yo, c/g, 10 1/2fT, 2:25.34, vhy.
DELIUS (GB), c, 3, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Whatami (GB), by Daylami (Ire)
2nd Dam: Wosaita (GB), by Generous (Ire)
3rd Dam: Eljazzi (Ire), by Artaius
Sales history: 675,000gns Wlg '21 TATFOA. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. *Full to Juan Elcano (GB), SW & MGSP-Eng, $175,305; and 1/2 to Nkosikazi (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), GSW-Eng. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Mr & Mrs David Brown (GB); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
