By Sean Cronin
Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}) posted an impressive three-length success going 10 furlongs in her Jan. 23 unveiling at Cagnes-sur-Mer and doubled up in style to remain unbowed in this turf and black-type debut. Stalking the leader in second until looming large at the quarter-mile marker, she was shaken up to seize control with 350 metres remaining and was ridden clear in the closing stages to easily outclass American Apples (Fr) (American Post {GB}) by four lengths for a career high.
“She came to me at the end of March last year, after being prepared in Dubai, and was quite heavy at that stage,” explained trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. “She won well at Cagnes-sur-Mer first time out, but that form needed clarity and I liked what I saw today. She could have reappeared before racing came to a halt in March, but wasn't quite right in her coat so I gave her more time and this race was perfect for her. We will now target the [July 5 G1] Prix de Diane [at Chantilly] and she'll probably have another race beforehand. That might well be the [G1] Prix Saint-Alary [back at this track].”
Raabihah, one of two winners and the leading performer produced by an unraced daughter of G1 Epsom Oaks victress Eswarah (GB) (Unfuwain), is kin to the stakes-placed Filfila (Kitten's Joy), a yearling filly by Kitten's Joy and a 2020 foal by More Than Ready. Eswarah, of course, is one of five black-type performers and the leading representative for G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Midway Lady (Alleged), whose descendants also include Brazil's G1 Presidente da Republica victor Maltes (Brz) (Red Runner).
Thursday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE LA SEINE-Listed, €38,000, ParisLongchamp, 5-14, 3yo, f, 11fT, 2:19.80, g/s.
1–RAABIHAH, 123, f, 3, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Garmoosha, by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: Eswarah (GB), by Unfuwain
3rd Dam: Midway Lady, by Alleged
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Shadwell Farm LLC (KY); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro. €19,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, €29,500.
2–American Apples (Fr), 123, f, 3, American Post (GB)–Apple Kimbi (Fr), by Beauchamp King (GB). (€16,000 Ylg '18 ARQFEB). O-Team Valor International, Eric de Chambure & Nicolas de Chambure. €7,600.
3–Seachange (Fr), 123, f, 3, Siyouni (Fr)–Ydillique (Ire), by Sadler's Wells. O-Wertheimer & Frere. €5,700.
Margins: 4, 1HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.00, 1.80, 3.50.
Also Ran: Annalyse (Fr), Dilala (Fr). Scratched: American Beach (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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