By Tom Frary
Al Shira'aa Farms' bonanza weekend continued apace at Deauville on Sunday, with their star filly Jannah Rose (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) coming back from her midsummer break to win the 10-furlong G2 Sumbe Prix Alec Head which is the re-named Prix de la Nonette. Off since her anti-climactic sixth in the G1 Prix de Diane, the G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine was restrained to race in third by Christophe Soumillon off the moderate pace set by the G2 Ribblesdale S. runner-up and G1 Irish Oaks fourth Lumiere Rock (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). Having to fight once she had got alongside that rival 150 metres from the finish, the 7-10 favourite proved equal to the task to prevail by a head. “It's a great honour as, to me, the Head family are one of the biggest families in the racing world so to win the first one under Alec Head's name means a lot to me,” the rider said. “We had a lot of good wins together and while it's always sad to lose somebody so important in racing, he has left a great legacy.”
Great finish in the opener at @fgdeauville as Jannah Rose gets up to win the Group 2 Sumbre Prix Alec Head under the Christophe Soumillon drive… pic.twitter.com/zlSzToElS1
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 20, 2023
The win had added import, with Carlos Laffon-Parias being the husband of Alec Head's granddaughter Patricia. “It's nice to see her leave her race in the Prix de Diane behind,” the trainer said. “This is the real Jannah Rose. She was a bit fresh and the pace wasn't quick enough for her, but in the end she quickened well and won safely I think. I will keep her over that trip and she will come back in the [G1] Prix de l'Opera.”
For Soumillon, success in the race in its inaugural new guise also carried significant weight. “It's a great honour as, to me, the Head family are one of the biggest families in the racing world so to win the first one under Alec Head's name means a lot to me,” the rider said. “We had a lot of good wins together and while it's always sad to lose somebody so important in racing, he has left a great legacy.”
Pedigree Notes
Jannah Rose's unraced dam Sophie Germain (Ire) (Indian Ridge [Ire}) is also responsible for the G2 Ridgewood Pearl S. winner Creggs Pipes (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and the listed-placed Silver Spear (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}). The second dam is the G1 Oaks d'Italia heroine Nydrion (Critique), whose family includes the GI Breeders' Futurity hero and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Square Eddie (Smart Strike). She also has a 2-year-old filly by Invincible Spirit (Ire) bought by David Redvers for €280,000 at the Goffs Orby and a colt foal by Oasis Dream (GB).
Sunday, Deauville, France
SUMBE PRIX ALEC HEAD (PRIX DE LA NONETTE)-G2, €130,000, Deauville, 8-20, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:13.18, vsf.
1–JANNAH ROSE (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Sophie Germain (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
2nd Dam: Nydrion, by Critique
3rd Dam: Nabila, by Foolish Pleasure
(€650,000 Ylg '21 GOFORB). O-Al Shira'aa Farms; B-John Hayes (IRE); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias; J-Christophe Soumillon. €130,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 5-4-0-0, €270,450. *1/2 to Creggs Pipes (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), GSW-Ire, $289,014; and Silver Spear (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}), SP-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Lumiere Rock (Ire), 126, f, 3, Saxon Warrior (Jpn)–Last Gold (Fr), by Gold Away (Ire). (55,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Michael O'Flynn; B-The Last Partnership (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €28,600.
3–Eternal Hope (Ire), 123, f, 3, Teofilo (Ire)–Voice Of Truth (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. €13,650.
Margins: HD, 1HF, 2. Odds: 0.70, 5.10, 9.00.
Also Ran: Pensee Du Jour (Ire), Abha (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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