By Sean Cronin
Last term's G1 Sun Chariot S. victrix Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}–Falling Petals {Ire}, by Raven's Pass) posted a fourth in Meydan's Mar. 26 G1 Dubai Turf before regaining the winning thread in Royal Ascot's June 15 G2 Duke of Cambridge S. and continued on a roll with a decisive victory in Tuesday's G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville. The 3-5 favourite was swiftly into stride and held sway in the centre of the track from the outset of this straight one-mile test. Drawing the sting out of her six rivals by setting a searching tempo throughout, she was stoked up when strongly pressed with 300 metres remaining and withstood every challenge under a late drive to win going away for second elite-level triumph. At the line, she was 2 1/2 lengths too good for the year-younger Tenebrism (Caravaggio), who just held on for second by a head from the fast-finishing Goldistyle (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The latter is a daughter of the storied Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), who won four straight editions of this contest from 2008 through 2011.
“She's very strong with a lovely temperament and she is such a nice filly,” said trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam. “It is great to come here to Deauville and win this race. She has a lot of options to come and, I suppose, her main objectives are the [G1] Matron S. [at Leopardstown] and the [G1] Sun Chariot [S. at Newmarket].”
Winning rider William Buick continued, “She is just the sort of horse that makes life of a jockey so much easier. She has a great temperament, she is strong and so well balanced. She has speed, but also stays well and 10 furlongs would not be a problem for her. I kicked early because my main concern was Ryan [Moore]'s filly [Tenebrism], who won here over seven furlongs and has the speed and a turn of foot. Saffron Beach stays well so, up against such a profile, the earlier the race starts the better for a filly like mine.”
Saffron Beach, full-sister to a yearling colt and a weanling filly, is the third of six foals and the lone scorer produced by a winning daughter of the dual stakes-placed Infinite Spirit (Maria's Mon). Her dam Falling Petals (Ire) (Raven's Pass) is thus kin to G3 Criterion S. third Huntdown (Elusive Quality) and to the dam of three black-type performers headed by G3 World Trophy S. and G3 Molecomb S.-winning sire Cotai Glory (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). Saffron Beach's third dam, G3 Matron S. victrix and G1 Coronation S. runner-up Eternal Reve (Diesis {GB}), is kin to GI Hollywood Derby hero Eternity Star (Majestic Light) and the Group 1-placed sire Eternity Range (Majestic Light). They are out of a half-sister to G1 Prix de la Salamandre victor and leading sire Miswaki (Mr. Prospector).
Tuesday, Deauville, France
PRIX ROTHSCHILD-G1, €300,000, Deauville, 8-2, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT, 1:36.45, g/s.
1–SAFFRON BEACH (IRE), 130, f, 4, by New Bay (GB)
1st Dam: Falling Petals (Ire), by Raven's Pass
2nd Dam: Infinite Spirit, by Maria's Mon
3rd Dam: Eternal Reve, by Diesis (GB)
(55,000gns Wlg '18 TATFOA). O-Mrs B V Sangster, J Wigan & O Sangster; B-China Horse Club International Ltd (IRE); T-Jane Chapple-Hyam; J-William Buick. €171,420. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng, 11-6-2-0, €861,096. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tenebrism, 123, f, 3, Caravaggio–Immortal Verse, by Pivotal (GB). O-Westerberg, Coolmore & Merribelle Stables; B-Merriebelle Stables, Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien. €68,580.
3–Goldistyle (Ire), 130, f, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Goldikova (Ire), by by Anabaa). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias. €34,290.
Margins: 2HF, HD, NK. Odds: 0.60, 2.40, 26.00.
Also Ran: Malavath (Ire), Pearls Galore (Fr), Kennella (Fr), Sibila Spain (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
🏆 A class act! Saffron Beach backs up her Royal Ascot win by taking the G1 Prix Rothschild. @JaneChappleHyam's yard are in top form. Congratulations to connections. pic.twitter.com/BR6pthrjC6
— TDN (@theTDN) August 2, 2022
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
