Grand Glory (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}), who sold for €2.5 million to rank as the second-dearest offering at last year's Arqana Vente d'Elevage, is headed back through the Deauville sales pavilion in early December.
The daughter of Madonna Lily (Ire) (Daylami {Ire}) belied odds of 23-1 to post a maiden Group 1 victory in last year's Darley Prix Jean Romanet and proved that effort was no fluke when just pipped by eventual €3-million December sales-topper Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) in the G1 Prix de l'Opera ahead of a bold fifth-place effort behind Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Japan Cup.
Purchased at last year's December sale by agent Anne-Sophie Yoh on behalf of owner Xavier Marie's Haras de Hus, Grand Glory has trained on nicely this season at six, topped by a popular success in the G3 Prix Allez France at ParisLongchamp in May. A sound third to State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot in June, Grand Glory was fourth in the G1 Prix Vermeille Sept. 11 and a latest fifth to Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the Oct. 2 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. She is currently being prepared for a return engagement in the Japan Cup at the end of November.
“In the beginning, Mr. Marie wished to start breeding, so we bought mares with exceptional pedigrees, including Grand Glory,” explained Yoh. “However, this purchase also enabled him to discover more about life as an owner, and he has enjoyed it so much that he has decided to concentrate on this. For this reason, Grand Glory will go under the hammer as a broodmare prospect. She will be offered by [her trainer] Gianluca Bietolini and his team, which seems a fitting next step for this incredible mare.”
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