By Sean Cronin
Coolmore and Westerberg's hitherto undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}–Whatami {GB}, by Daylami {Ire}), who added to his win column going 12 furlongs at Chantilly last month, continued on a roll over the same course and distance in Sunday's G3 Prix du Lys Longines to lay down a marker for next month's G1 Grand Prix de Paris.
The 8-5 favourite was steadied off the pace through the initial fractions and improved position to track the leaders in fourth approaching halfway. Taking closer order in the straight, he was nudged along with 350 metres remaining and stayed on strongly under mild urging once hitting the front at the furlong marker to secure a career high in ultimately comfortable fashion. At the line, he held a two-length advantage from Saganti (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) with Internaute (Ire}) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) a neck away in third.
“I am very emotional, it is a very difficult moment for us at the stable, and I am sincerely delighted for the owners and everyone involved back at home,” said Jean-Claude Rouget's assistant trainer Jean-Bernard Roth. “The horse had been working incredibly well before this race and looked awesome the whole week. He has improved with every run and I guarantee he still has a lot of room for improvement. The [G1] Grand Prix de Paris could be next, but we would not want to run him on firm ground on a hot day, so we will play it by ear. There are some important races coming up in the autumn and we want to have him ready for that. He is a very, very good one and we are blessed to have him.”
Three out of three for Delius! 🙌
The Frankel colt picks up the G3 Prix du Lys, advancing to the front approaching the final furlong to defeat Saganti nicely… pic.twitter.com/kn3a9oQJlT
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 16, 2024
Pedigree Notes
Delius, who becomes the 97th pattern-race winner for his sire, is the ninth of 11 foals and one of five scorers out of 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 the unraced 2-year-old filly Whatamoon (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and a yearling filly by Kingman (GB).
Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX DU LYS LONGINES-G3, €80,000, Chantilly, 6-16, 3yo, 12fT, 2:30.32, g/s.
1–DELIUS (GB), 128, 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
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (675,000gns Wlg '21 TATFOA). O-Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Mr & Mrs David Brown (GB); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Christophe Soumillon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, €67,500. *Full to Juan Elcano (GB), SW & MGSP-Eng, $175,305; and 1/2 to Nkosikazi (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), GSW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Saganti (Fr), 128, c, 3, Zarak (Fr)–Saghaniya (Fr), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire). O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (FR); T-Mikel Delzangles. €16,000.
3–Internaute (Ire), 128, c, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Solemia (Ire), by Poliglote (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias. €12,000.
Margins: 2, NK, NK. Odds: 1.60, 9.00, 9.00.
Also Ran: Global Health (Fr), Daring Prince (GB), Coetzee, Trafalgar Square (Fr), Waldora (Fr), Polanzor (Fr), Kind Of Kiss (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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