By Sean Cronin
Undefeated in three prior starts this term, Baron Edouard de Rothschild's star distaffer Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}–Penne {Fr}, by Sevres Rose {Ire}) registered back-to-back wins in last month's G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville and repeated the dose with a battling performance to defend her title in Sunday's G1 Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet back at the Normandy venue.
The prohibitively priced 1-5 favourite was unhurried at the break and settled at the tail of the five-runner field until well beyond halfway in this 10-furlong contest. Cruising forward once into the home straight, she was ridden to gain a slender buffer entering the final furlong and came under a late drive to prevail by a head and a short-neck from the Joseph O'Brien-trained duo American Sonja (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) and Maxux (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in a three-way photograph.
“Everything has been said about this mare and, at the age of five, she is still at the top of her game,” the winning owner commented. “It is a remarkable feat to win the Rothschild and Romanet two years in a row. We never made it a mystery that the [Oct. 6 G1 Prix de l'] Arc [de Triomphe] is the target and that was her last run before October.”
Jockey Alexis Pouchin, who has been in the saddle for all four legs of the winner's 'double-double', added, “Mqse de Sevigne is the mare of a lifetime, she is incredible and rises to the occasion in all of her races. She was travelling easily when quickening into the lead, but she tends to idle once in front. This allowed her rivals to come back at her, but the job was already done at the time. She showed a touch of class.”
Joseph O'Brien was delighted with the performances of runner-up American Sonja and third-place finisher Maxux and said, “American Sonja and Maxux did us proud as both achieved podium finishes at Group 1 level for the first their time in their careers. They honestly put their hearts and soul into the race and we are very happy. However, they got beaten by a champion. Both have the profile to continue their international campaigns at Group 2/Group 1 level in France and Ireland until the end of the season. They both relish ground which was softer than today and this will increase the options open to them in the autumn.”
Pedigree Notes
Mqse de Sevigne is the ninth of 10 foals and one of six scorers produced by Listed Prix de Thiberville and Listed Prix Occitanie runner-up Penne (Fr) (Sevres Rose {Ire}), herself a half-sister to the dam of Listed Prix de la Californie and Listed Prix Omnium II victor Gris Tendre (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}). The February-foaled bay, who hails from the direct damline of G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane heroine Apollonia (Fr) (Djebel {Fr}), is a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner Meandre (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}) and Listed River Eden Fillies' Stakes runner-up Dogma (Fr) (Mount Nelson {GB}).
@sumbe_fr Jean Romanet (Gr1, f3+, 2000m) @fgdeauville
La fav Mqse de Sevigné (Siyouni) @EddeRothschild attaque, domine, puis résiste à une formidable American Sonja (Tasleet) et Maxux (Frankel). Elle réalise pour la 2e année le doublé Rothschild-Romanet. pic.twitter.com/Af4o9AYNV3— France Galop (@francegalop) August 18, 2024
Sunday, Deauville, France
SUMBE PRIX JEAN ROMANET-G1, €250,000, Deauville, 8-18, 4yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:08.86, g/s.
1–MQSE DE SEVIGNE (IRE), 126, m, 5, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: Penne (Fr) (MSP-Fr), by Sevres Rose (Ire)
2nd Dam: Une Pensee (Fr), by Kenmare (Fr)
3rd Dam: Cleophis (Fr), by Crepello (GB)
O-Baron Edouard de Rothschild; B-Ecurie de Meautry (IRE); T-Andre Fabre; J-Alexis Pouchin. €142,850. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 17-8-6-1, €1,024,421. *1/2 to Meandre (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}), MG1SW-Fr & Ger, $1,692,990; and Dogma (Fr) (Mount Nelson {GB}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–American Sonja (GB), 126, f, 4, Tasleet (GB)–Gumhrear (Ire), by Kodiac (GB). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (22,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; £30,000 Ylg '21 TATIRY; 95,000gns 2yo '22 TATBRE). O-Mark Dobbin; B-Whatcote Farm Stud (GB); T-Joseph O'Brien. €57,150.
3–Maxux (Ire), 126, f, 4, Frankel (GB)–Chrysanthemum (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (200,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Alvaro Odriozola Arzallus; B-Barnane Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €28,575.
Margins: HD, SNK, HF. Odds: 0.20, 5.30, 11.00.
Also Ran: Blue Rose Cen (Ire), Left Sea (GB).
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