By Sean Cronin
Patrice Cottier trainee Grey Man (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Top Toss {Ire}, by Linamix {Fr}), successful in two of three prior outings, headed postward with crowd confidence for Sunday's G3 Circus Maximus Prix Francois Boutin at Deauville and returned to the winner's enclosure with a first black-type rosette having dominated late in the seven-furlong test.
The 6-5 favourite accepted a tow in second after breaking on the lead and settled into a comfortable rhythm through halfway. Looming large going well approaching the quarter-mile pole, he was beyond recall once wresting the initiative from Mythology (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) with 300 metres remaining and was easily on top in the latter stages as that rival rallied to finish one length down at the line. Listed Criterium du Bequet third Kumite (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) fared best of the remainder and finished six lengths back in third.
Impressive! Grey Man takes the G3 Prix Francois Boutin at @fgdeauville for Patrice Cottier and Marvin Grandin…pic.twitter.com/3CAtM7qp4p
— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) August 13, 2023
“We were convinced beforehand that the horse had a great chance,” said owner Jean-Philippe Dubois. “He had improved again from his last run and today it looked like he had the race won two out. He has won over 6 3/4 [furlongs], seven [furlongs] today and a mile last time, so he is quite versatile. For sure, he is a very good one. We shall see how he comes out of the race and then we'll decide what will be next. Right now I don't know, but there are plenty of opportunities.”
Grey Man had opened up with a June 3 debut score over 6 3/4 furlongs at Lyon Parilly and suffered a narrow defeat back there later in June before regaining the winning habit upped to one mile at Clairefontaine last month. His victory here adds lustre to a banner weekend for Wootton Bassett, whose Bucanero Fuerte (GB) hit the heights in Saturday's G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. at the Curragh.
Pedigree Notes
Grey Man, who becomes the 25th pattern-race winner for his sire, is the eighth of nine foals and one of four winners produced by G3 Prix d'Aumale and G3 Prix de Psyche victrix Top Toss (Ire) (Linamix {Fr}), herself out of Listed Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial winner Tossup (Gone West). The January-foaled bay is a half-brother to dual Group 3-winning G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and G1 Coronation S. second Lesstalk In Paris (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains runner-up Dastarhon (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and a yearling filly by Le Havre (Ire). He hails from the family of GI E P Taylor S. runner-up Tigertail (Fr) (Priolo) and his fifth dam Bold Consort (Bold Ruler) is a full-sister to US champion juvenile and leading sire Bold Lad.
Sunday, Deauville, France
CIRCUS MAXIMUS PRIX FRANCOIS BOUTIN-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 8-13, 2yo, 7fT, 1:26.36, g/s.
1–GREY MAN (FR), 126, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Top Toss (Ire) (MGSW-Fr, $240,020), by Linamix (Fr)
2nd Dam: Tossup, by Gone West
3rd Dam: Tovalop, by Northern Dancer
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€39,000 RNA Wlg '21 ARQDEC; €60,000 RNA Ylg '22 ARQOCT). O-Julien Dubois & Jean-Philippe Dubois; B-Ecurie Skymarc Farm (FR); T-Patrice Cottier; J-Marvin Grandin. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, €73,900. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Mythology (Ire), 126, c, 2, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Rely On Me (Ire), by Kyllachy (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (62,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT; 320,000gns 2yo '23 TATBRE). O-Michael Tabor, Mrs John Magnier, Derrick Smith & Teme Valley; B-E Smith & Cloneymore Farm (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €16,000.
3–Kumite (GB), 126, c, 2, Dark Angel (Ire)–Nawassi (GB), by Dubawi (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (100,000gns Wlg '21 TATFOA; €200,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Mme Erika Gilliar; B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (GB); T-Jerome Reynier. €12,000.
Margins: 1, 6, 4. Odds: 1.20, 7.60, 4.30.
Also Evade (Fr), Majestic One (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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