By Sean Cronin
Aidan O'Brien trainee Greenland (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}–Aktoria {Fr}, by Canford Cliffs {Ire}) lined up for Monday's G3 Prix Greffulhe coming back off a third in last month's G3 Prix La Force at ParisLongchamp and dipped into deep reserves to prevail in a thrilling finish to the 10 1/2-furlong test. He had concluded a five-race juvenile campaign with a fourth in Newmarket's Sept. 24 G2 Royal Lodge S. in his penultimate start and stalked the pace in second for the most part. Readied for his challenge passing the quarter-mile marker, he joined long-time leader Harry Way (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) approaching the final furlong and was driven out to deny that tenacious opponent by a nose in a nip-and-tuck tussle.
“He is a physically imposing colt who, gave me a great feeling going to post on the dirt surface,” said winning rider Christophe Soumillon. “It wasn't easy on that very soft ground today, which is why I didn't want to come too late and I anticipated the move early in the straight. He will come on for that and no doubt that he will be among the favourites for the [G1 Prix du] Jockey Club.” Coolmore representative Hermine Bastide added, “We are very happy to win as it is quite important for Saxon Warrior. Soft ground is not what he prefers and, all being well, he will come back to France for the Prix du Jockey Club.”
Pedigree Notes
Greenland, who becomes the fourth pattern-race winner for his second-crop sire, is the third of five foals and one of two scorers for Listed Prix Six Perfections victrix Aktoria (Fr) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}). Aktoria is kin to G3 Prix d'Arenberg third Galaktea (Ire) (Statue of Liberty), the dual stakes-placed Now You're Talking (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and to the dam of stakes-winning GII Santa Ana S. placegetter Sweet Charity (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}). Greenland's stakes-winning third dam Epagris (GB) (Zalazl), who also ran second in the G3 Nell Gwyn S., is the leading performer for Trikymia (Final Straw {GB}) and thus hails from the family of G1 Irish Derby-winning sire Tyrnavos (GB) (Blakeney {GB}), G1 Dewhurst S. hero Tromos (GB) (Busted {GB}) and G1 Middle Park S. victor Tachypous (GB) (Hotfoot {GB}). Aktoria also has the unraced 2-year-old colt Benimaru (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Starspangledbanner (Aus) to come.
Monday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX GREFFULHE-G3, €80,000, Saint-Cloud, 5-1, 3yo, 10 1/2fT, 2:17.86, vsf.
1–GREENLAND (IRE), 128, c, 3, by Saxon Warrior (Jpn)
1st Dam: Aktoria (Fr) (SW-Fr), by Canford Cliffs (Ire)
2nd Dam: Granadilla (GB), by Zafonic
3rd Dam: Epagris (GB), by Zalazl
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (160,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 300,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Werterberg; B-SCEA Marmion Vauville & Alain Jathiere (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Christophe Soumillon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 7-2-1-1, €82,353. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Harry Way (Fr), 128, g, 3, Galiway (GB)–Miss Vinga (Fr), by High Rock (Ire). O-Le Haras de la Gousserie & Robert Bonaventure; B-Robert Bonaventure (FR); T-Nicolas Perret. €16,000.
3–Rashford (Fr), 128, c, 3, Zarak (Fr)–Randium (Fr), by Sinndar (Ire). O/B-Friedrich Hodel (FR); T-Yann Barberot. €12,000.
Margins: NO, 1 1/4, 3. Odds: 1.20, 3.10, 4.60.
Also Ran: Zalamo (Fr), Fortune (Fr). Video, sponsored by TVG.
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