Ecurie des Monceaux

By Emma Berry and Brian Sheerin DEAUVILLE, France--In the week that it was confirmed that Diane Wildenstein's breeding operation Dayton Investments has been sold to the Wertheimer brothers, a Dubawi (Ire) yearling from one of the most recognisable Wildenstein families became the first seven-figure yearling in Europe this season. When there are yearlings by Darley's flagship stallion on the market, it is often a safe bet that Sheikh Mohammed will be interested. With the Ruler of Dubai in attendance in Deauville, the day's top lot (21) was duly sold to...

Lot 21, a son of Dubawi (Ire) and the Invincible Spirit (Ire) mare Pretty Spirit (GB), was the first yearling to break the seven-figure mark at Deauville's Arqana August Yearling Sale when selling for €1.25 million to Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin on Friday. Consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux, the bay is out of a half-sister to three-time Group 1 winner Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who has his first yearlings this year. This is the extended family of G1 Prix Ganay hero Planteur (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).  ...

Godolphin's €600,000 Arqana August purchase Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}--Dubai Rose {GB}, by Dubai Destination) shaped with promise when third over seven furlongs at Sandown in his July 7 debut and graduated with a two-length tally over that course and distance towards the end of last month. Stalking the tempo in second through halfway in this black-type bow, the 85-40 second choice was pushed to the front soon after passing the quarter-mile marker and driven clear in the latter stages to comfortably outpoint 'TDN Rising Star' Arabic Legend (Ire) (Dubawi...

In the summer of 2017, Peter Brant was just at the beginning of his remarkable run with Sistercharlie (Ire) (My Boy Charlie {Ire}), who would go on to win seven Group 1 races for him, but he already knew how special she was. "We were campaigning Sistercharlie at the time, and we knew how good she was because she had run second in the Prix Diane after getting into a lot of trouble. She almost got knocked down, and then looked like she would be absolutely nowhere. And then she...

If you are heading into the most important week for your bloodstock business, it never hurts to have a recent Group 1 winner or two to advertise your wares, and in Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Ecurie des Monceaux has just that. By Wednesday, we will know if Henri Bozo and his team have eschewed their usual Arqana hospitality offering of foie gras and oysters in favour of marmalade sandwiches but, with or without the favourite delicacy of Paddington, his is the name that...

Hot on the hooves of 'TDN Rising Star' City Of Troy notching an impressive tally in Newmarket's G2 Superlative S., Christopher Head trainee and 'TDN Rising Star' Ramatuelle embellished her sire Justify's banner weekend with a spectacular performance in Sunday's G2 Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly. The February-foaled €100,000 Arqana August graduate went postward as a heavily favoured 2-5 chance, returning off a wide-margin triumph over the six-furlong course and distance in last month's G3 Prix du Bois, and was swiftly into stride to occupy a prominent role here. Last...

Yann Barberot trainee Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--Enchanting Skies {Ire}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}) was two-for-two heading into Deauville's Listed Prix Roland de Chambure and remained on a roll after notching a 1 1/4-length success in the seven-furlong test. He became the 12th 'TDN Rising Star' for his sire (by Shamardal) in a May 9 five-furlong newcomers' test at Chantilly and doubled his haul later that month, upped to six furlongs at Saint-Cloud, with a defeat of 'TDN Rising Star' and subsequent G3 Prix du Bois victrix Ramatuelle...

Breaking the juvenile track record at Chantilly on Sunday, Christopher Head trainee Ramatuelle (Justify--Raven's Lady {GB}, by Raven's Pass) justified 6-4 favouritism in the G3 Prix du Bois Longines by dominating her nine rivals with a spectacular display in the six-furlong contest. The eventual winner was positioned in a handy second as market rival Zorken (Fr) (Goken {Fr}) set the tone up front. Inching into second at halfway, she quickened to the fore entering the final furlong and powered clear in highly impressive fashion to easily outclass her rivals by...

Godolphin's Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}--Golden Valentine {Fr}, by Dalakhani {Ire}) turned heads when selling for €2-million at last year's Arqana August fixture, and he was back in the limelight with a highly polished debut display in Friday's GPW Recruitment Carl Foster Memorial EBF Novice S. at Haydock. The well-supported 6-5 favourite hit the line powerfully and finished clear of Under The Sun (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), attaining 'TDN Rising Star' status in the seven-furlong heat with an impressive five-length triumph. Ancient Wisdom settled into a comfortable rhythm behind the...

Philippe Allaire's Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--Enchanting Skies {Ire}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}) landed  Tuesday's €50,000 Prix du Coq Chantant at Chantilly, the latest in France Galop's series of premium races for unraced 2-year-olds, earning in the process a 'TDN Rising Star' badge after posting an impressive 5 1/2-length triumph in the five-furlong dash. Beauvatier broke from the outside stall and raced in rear while working his way across to the stands' side rail. Making smooth headway from halfway, the 23-10 second favourite cruised to the front on...

Monceaux manager Henri Bozo has described Feed The Flame (GB) as a horse with huge potential after the Kingman (GB) colt made it two out of two for Pascal Bary and Christophe Soumillon in a conditions race at ParisLongchamp on Thursday.  Feed The Flame, who was bred by Monceaux, Lordship Stud and Clear Light Sas, was bought by top bloodstock agent Gerard Larrieu for €270,000 at the Arqana August Sale in 2021.  That looks like money well spent after the three-year-old enhanced his reputation with a stylish victory that would...

France Galop has boosted a series of 21 premium races for unraced 2-year-olds with increased prizemoney and the first such event, Tuesday's €50,000 Prix du Premier Pas at Chantilly, was bolstered by a 'TDN Rising Star' performance from Christopher Head incumbent Ramatuelle (Justify--Raven's Lady {GB}, by Raven's Pass), a €100,000 Arqana August purchase, who debuted with a stunning display in the straight five-furlong test. Ramatuelle, sporting the Infinity Nine Horses silks, broke well from an outer stall and raced prominently throughout. Looming large on the bridle approaching the final furlong,...