By Sean Cronin
Lael Stable's Purplepay (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) garnered a bumper pot when running away with the Haras de Bouquetot Criterium Arqana on ParisLongchamp's Arc Saturday card and closed last term under the stewardship of Cedric Rossi with a third in Saint-Cloud's Oct. 23 G1 Criterium International. Making her debut for new connections in last month's G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh, having been knocked down for €2-million at last year's Arqana December sale, she finished sixth there and rebounded in style to salute in Sunday's G2 Prix de Sandringham going one mile at Chantilly. The eventual winner was swiftly into stride and found a smooth rhythm in second as Hot Queen (Fr) (Recorder {GB}) established a clear lead through halfway. Taking closer order in the straight, the crowd's 6-5 selection gained a narrow advantage on the bridle with 300 metres remaining and surged clear under a late drive to earn a career high with plenty to spare. At the line, she was 2 1/2 lengths too good for Life In Motion (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) with Sicilian Defense (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) a neck adrift in third.
“She did really well today and she's a lovely filly with a great temperament,” said Maureen Haggas. “She's got a good mind and she wants to please in everything she does. She obviously has a lot of ability and Tom [Marquand] gave her a really lovely ride. She made a nice comeback run [in the Irish 1000 Guineas] last time, she's come forward for that and we're really pleased. We're very lucky to have her and we're lucky the Jacksons bought her. She was destined for America, but there were some problems with her tests and she missed the plane, so we were the lucky recipients and we're very grateful to have her. Future plans are William's department and he'll deal with that.”
Purplepay, half-sister to the once-raced 2-year-old colt Two Fifty Two (Fr) (Cloth of Stars {Ire}), is the fourth of five foals and one of two scorers produced by a daughter of G3 Prix de Flore victrix Albisola (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), herself kin to G3 Prix Quincey-winning sire Johnny Barnes (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and G3 Prix des Reservoirs placegetter Bufera (Ire) (King's Best). The latter is the dam of Listed Prix La Sorellina winner Chartreuse (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}). Descendants of the February-foaled bay's third dam, Listed Prix Imprudence winner Mahalia (Ire) (Danehill), are headed by MG1SW sire Ectot (GB) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) and G1 St James's Palace S. victor Most Improved (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}).
Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX DE SANDRINGHAM-G2, €130,000, Chantilly, 6-5, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:37.25, sf.
1–PURPLEPAY (FR), 126, f, 3, by Zarak (Fr)
1st Dam: Piedra (Ire), by Lawman (Fr)
2nd Dam: Albisola (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire)
3rd Dam: Mahalia (Ire), by Danehill
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€100,000 Ylg '20 ARQSEP; €2,000,000 HRA '21 ARQDEC). O-Lael Stable; B-Mme Lisa Lemiere Dubois (FR); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. €74,100. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 10-4-2-2, €288,405. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Life In Motion (Ire), 126, f, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Wavering (Ire), by Refuse To Bend (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. €28,600.
3–Sicilian Defense (GB), 126, f, 3, Muhaarar (GB)–Manasarova, by More Than Ready. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€35,000 Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Argella Racing & Gemini Stud; B-SCEA Haras de Saint Pair (GB); T-Yann Barberot. €13,650.
Margins: 2HF, NK, 3HF. Odds: 1.20, 6.40, 3.30.
Also Ran: Situveux (Ire), Indian Wish (Fr), Hot Queen (Fr), Anterselva (Fr), Pennine Hills (Ire). Scratched: Fonteyn (GB), Jouza (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
