By Sean Cronin
Paul and Oliver Cole trainee Jack Darcy (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}–Pretty Face {GB}, by Rainbow Quest) seized immediate control of Sunday's G2 Lucien Barriere Grand Prix de Deauville and was never headed in the 12 1/2-furlong feature to complete an afternoon pattern-race treble for the British raiding party.
On the front end from flagfall and leading his rivals in single file, the 54-5 outsider-of-five was scrubbed along off the home turn and kept finding under continued rousting in the straight to hold Al Nayyir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) by 1 1/4 lengths for a career best.
Jack Darcy's route to this stakes breakthrough included seven prior attempts at black-type level, adding to a runner-up finish in last term's Listed Prix Nureyev at this Normandy venue with a second in this month's G3 Glorious S. at Goodwood. He lined up for this returning off a sixth-of-seven effort in last week's G3 Geoffrey Freer S. at Newbury. The Cole yard has now annexed six editions of the contest, the run being initiated by MG1SW sire Ibn Bey (GB) (Mill Reef) in 1988.
“We expected a race devoid of pace, we'd talked about it at length with his entourage and the plan was to set a false pace from the front,” explained winning rider Cristian Demuro. “He has a lot of raw talent, so we decided to kick for home early and make it as dificult as possible for the opposition. The trip was something of a question mark and, in a race without too much pace, his stamina was less of a problem. He proved to be very tough, as British horses often are.”
Part-owner Edward Gascoigne added, “Jack Darcy likes to lead and Cristian [Demuro] rode him perfectly. We looked at the entries and the race seemed like a good opportunity. Ollie [Cole] said he was really well and in good form after Newbury, which is why we decided to run and Junko's withdrawal certainly helped. He's tough, but he also has speed. Distance-wise, he's very adept if the pace is right and, if the pace isn't too strong, he can stretch out as he did today. He was in complete control, it's a fantastic victory and we're very happy.”
Brilliant ride! Jack Darcy isn't for stopping under @CristianDemuro to land the G2 Lucien Barriere Grand Prix de Deauville for @whatcomberacing! pic.twitter.com/tqRzFgIuV3
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 27, 2023
Pedigree Notes
Jack Darcy is the 10th of 13 foals and one of six scorers out of an unraced half-sister to MG1SW sire Elmaamul (Diesis {GB}) and G1 Oaks and G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Reams Of Verse (Nureyev). The swathe of black-type descendants produced by his unraced second dam Modena (Roberto) include MG1SW three-time G1 Nassau S. heroine Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), GI Arlington Million hero Set Piece (GB) (Dansili {GB}), G1 Captain Cook S. victrix Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}), G1 Irish Derby runner-up Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. second Zacinto (GB) (Dansili {GB}), G1 Galaxy third Easy Eddie (Aus) (Super Easy {NZ}) and the Group 1-placed distaffers Sun Maiden (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Hot Snap (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). The April-foaled bay is a half-brother to the once-raced 2-year-old maiden filly Tuneful (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), a yearling colt by Invincible Spirit (Ire) and a weanling colt by Nando Parrado (GB).
Sunday, Deauville, France
LUCIEN BARRIERE GRAND PRIX DE DEAUVILLE-G2, €200,000, Deauville, 8-27, 3yo/up, 12 1/2fT, 2:49.01, sf.
1–JACK DARCY (IRE), 130, g, 4, by Gleneagles (Ire)
1st Dam: Pretty Face (GB), by Rainbow Quest
2nd Dam: Modena, by Roberto
3rd Dam: Mofida (GB), by Right Tack (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (19,000gns Wlg '19 TATFOA; 24,000gns Ylg '20 TAOCT). O-Gascoigne, Williams, Vincent, Burns & 3D; B-Bernard Cooke (IRE); T-Paul & Oliver Cole; J-Cristian Demuro. €114,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Eng, 12-3-2-0, €176,660. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Al Nayyir (GB), 130, g, 5, Dubawi (Ire)–Bright Beacon (GB), by Manduro (Ger). (AED40,000 HRA '21 ERASEP). O-Elbashir Salem Elhrari; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Romain Le Dren Doleuze. €44,000.
3–Haya Zark (Fr), 130, c, 4, Zarak (Fr)–Haya City (Fr), by Elusive City. O/B-Mme Odette Fau (FR); T-Adrien Fouassier. €21,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 10.80, 2.60, 3.40.
Also Ran: Fenelon (Fr), Assistent (Ger). Scratched: Diamond Vendome (Fr), Junko (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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