By Sean Cronin
Rebounding off a fourth in a quality renewal of July's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Gemini Stud's G2 Prix Corrida victrix Sweet Lady (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}–High Heel Sneakers {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) showed a clean set of heels to her 10 rivals and made all to register a first elite-level triumph in Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp. Swiftly into stride and passing every marker in front, she was scrubbed along as the pack threatened off the home turn and called upon abundant reserves under an all-out drive inside the final quarter mile to hold on bravely for a career high.
“The plan this year has always been to target the autumn races with this filly as she loves soft ground,” revealed trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. “The spring had been positive, with her victory in the Corrida, and she had an ideal preparation for this. Everything has gone very smoothly at home in the mornings and she was ready for this. When I saw her travelling nicely, with her ears pricked, I thought she could do well. She wasn't stopping in the straight and didn't stop lenghthening. She is now a Group 1 winner and I am sure that her owners will be pleased to let her take her chance in the Arc. The softer the better on the day, so who knows what might happen on the day.”
Sweet Lady, who becomes the 16th Group 1 winner for her sire (by Shamardal), is the latest of seven reported foals out of Listed River Eden S. victrix and G2 May Hill S. runner-up High Heel Sneakers (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who also produced Listed Oaks Trial winner Toujours L'Amour (GB) (Authorized {Ire}). Sweet Lady's third dam Charmie Carmie (Lyphard) is the dam of MG1SW Peruvian champion Faaz (Fappiano) and her descendants also include G1 SA Fillies' Classic heroine Zaitoon (SAf) (Count Dubois {GB}). Charmie Carmie is kin to MGISW American Fillies' Triple Crown heroine Chris Evert (Swoon's Son), whose descendants are headed by Belmont S.-winning sire Chief's Crown (Danzig), GI Frizette S. and GI Gazelle S. heroine Classic Crown (Mr. Prospector) and MGISW dual GI Beldame S. victrix Sightseek (Distant View). Charmie Carmie is also kin to stakes-winning GI Delaware Oaks third All Rainbows (Bold Hour), herself the dam of GI Kentucky Derby heroine and MGISW US champion Winning Colors (Caro {Ire}).
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX VERMEILLE-G1, €600,000, ParisLongchamp, 9-11, 3yo/up, f/m, 12fT, 2:35.50, sf.
1–SWEET LADY (FR), 130, f, 4, by Lope De Vega (Ire)
1st Dam: High Heel Sneakers (GB) (SW & GSP-Eng, SW-US, GSP-Fr, SP-Ity, $212,137), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Sundae Girl, by Green Dancer
3rd Dam: Charmie Carmie, by Lyphard
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€100,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Gemini Stud; B-Stratford Place Stud (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Gregory Benoist. €342,840. Lifetime Record: 14-6-2-0, €593,880. *1/2 to Toujours L'Amour (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), SW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Lilac Road (Ire), 130, f, 4, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Lavender Lane (Ire), by Shamardal. O/B-Jon & Julia Aisbitt (IRE); T-William Haggas. €137,160.
3–La Parisienne (Fr), 122, f, 3, Zarak (Fr)–Skysweeper (Fr), by Hurricane Run (Ire). (€65,000 Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Peter R Bradley III, Ecurie JML Racing, Marc Leonetti, Meridian International SARL & Remy Dupuy-Naulot; B-Ecurie Haras du Cadran, Ecurie Patrick Klein & SCEA Haras du Ma (FR); T-Carlos & Yann Lerner. €68,580.
Margins: HD, SNK, 1 1/4. Odds: 12.50, 18.00, 4.60.
Also Ran: Tuesday (Ire), Baiykara (Fr), Fall In Love (Ire), Grand Glory (GB), Agave (GB), History (Ire), Love Child (Ire), Albaflora (GB). Video, sponsored by TVG.
Sweet Lady shows true grit to win the G1 Prix Vermeille. pic.twitter.com/94Kf3K2Cy7
— TDN (@theTDN) September 11, 2022
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