By Sean Cronin
Diverted to ParisLongchamp's G1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu after a headline-heavy week, G1 Melbourne Cup victrix Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) was unable to land a telling blow and trailed home seventh behind Sunderland Holdings' Sea La Rosa (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Soho Rose {Ire}, by Hernando {Fr}), who added to her pattern-race tally with a career high in the 14-furlong distaffers' feature. The William Haggas trainee arrived at the Bois de Boulogne venue having annexed Goodwood's July 30 G2 Lillie Langtry S. and Deauville's Aug. 21 G2 Prix de Pomone and lobbed along in third until improving one spot at halfway. Launching her bid going well passing the quarter-mile marker, the 13-5 favourite was shaken up with 300 metres remaining and ridden out in the closing stages to assert by a length from Jannah Flower (Ire) (Olympic Glory {Ire}).
“She's been incredible this year, and the backend of last year, and just seems to be getting better with each run,” reflected rider Tom Marquand. “She's got the heart and the talent to see it through and to get a Group 1 on the board for Mrs [Ling] Tsui is amazing. I'm very privileged to be a small part of it. I wouldn't have a clue what the plans are and it doesn't look like she's done yet.”
Christopher Tsui added, “I'm delighted with this victory and also very moved by it. I recall those moments, almost 30 years ago, when I witnessed the success of Urban Sea in the Arc. This story began with her and, since then, it has snowballed via Sea The Stars and his daughters Sea Of Class and Sea La Rosa. Regarding the filly's next race, we will all get together and mull it over, but nothing is decided yet.”
Bred in France by Ecurie des Monceaux, Sea La Rosa is a full-sister to this term's G3 Bahrain Trophy winner Deauville Legend (Ire). She is also a kin to G3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial second Dean Street Doll (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and a yearling filly by Golden Horn (GB). Her stakes-winning second dam Soho Rose (Ire) (Hernando {Fr}) is a full-sister to G2 Pretty Polly S. victrix and stakes producer Hanami (GB) and a half-sister to the stakes-winning Dubai Rose (GB) (Dubai Destination). The latter produced The Juliet Rose (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}), a dual winner of this contest when it held Group 2 status.
Saturday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX DE ROYALLIEU-G1, €300,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 14fT, 3:13.76, vsf.
1–SEA LA ROSA (IRE), 130, f, 4, by Sea The Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Soho Rose (Ire) (SW-Ger & SP-Fr), by Hernando (Fr)
2nd Dam: Russian Rose (Ire), by Soviet Lad
3rd Dam: Thornbeam, by Beldale Flutter
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€200,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Sunderland Holding Inc; B-Ecurie des Monceaux (IRE); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. €171,420. Lifetime Record: MGSW-Eng, 16-9-4-2, €623,810. *Full to Deauville Legend (Ire), MGSW-Eng, $363,436; and 1/2 to Dean Street Doll (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), GSP-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Jannah Flower (Ire), 130, f, 4, Olympic Glory (Ire)–Azafata (Spa), by Motivator (GB). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€45,000 Wlg '18 ARDEC; €400,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Al Shira'aa Farms; B-Fernando Bermudez (IRE); T-Pascal Bary. €68,580.
3–Ottilien (Fr), 123, f, 3, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Vezina (Fr), by Bering (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€120,000 RNA Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Quantum Leap Racing XVI; B-Seven Hills Bloodstock (FR); T-David Menuisier. €34,290.
Margins: 1, HD, NK. Odds: 2.60, 17.00, 12.00.
Also Ran: Emily Dickinson (Ire), Sea The Sky (Ger), Perotan (Ire), Verry Elleegant (NZ), Queen Trezy (Fr), Love Child (Ire), Control Tower (Fr). Video, sponsored by TVG.
William Haggas and @TomMarquand strike on Arc weekend! Sea La Rosa wins the Group 1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu at @paris_longchamp pic.twitter.com/DKkpeQI1tM
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 1, 2022
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