Manduro (Ger)

With Europe's leading stayers either having taken part in Champions Day or roughed off for the season, Sunday's G1 Prix Royal-Oak at ParisLongchamp has a wide-open feel with only the Wertheimers' Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) holding any kind of mystique. Successful in the track's G2 Prix Chaudenay on Arc weekend, the Christophe Ferland-trained 3-year-old has considerable upside taking on established  marathon specialists in a race that has seen his age group prevail in five of the last eight renewals and three of the last four. With the likes...

It was harder work than expected, but Bertrand Milliere's leading veteran Iresine (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) ultimately made his class tell in Sunday's G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris. Held up with two behind early, the 11-10 favourite looked momentarily in trouble two out as Marie Velon asked him to close on the leaders. Staying on gamely in response, the G1 Prix Royal Oak and G1 Prix Ganay winner got to Marquisat (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}) a furlong later before asserting to score by a length. Trainer Jean Pierre Gauvin revealed that Iresine,...

Sunday's G1 Prix Ganay was as strong as any in recent times and there was no fluke about the victory of Bertrand Milliere's Iresine (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}--Inanga {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}), who provided trainer Jean-Pierre Gauvain and jockey Marie Velon with a once-in-a-lifetime moment at ParisLongchamp. Carrying a penalty for his G1 Prix Royal Oak success when an eye-catching second to Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) in the G2 Prix d'Harcourt here three weeks previously, the 4-1 shot was anchored in last early with the pace generous. Delivered with...

Jean-Pierre Gauvin trainee Iresine (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}--Inanga {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) had earned money in each of his 14 prior starts and was last seen annexing the 12-furlong G2 Prix Foy, on Arc trials day, at ParisLongchamp in September. He returned to the Bois de Boulogne venue and was upped in trip for Sunday's G1 Prix Royal-Oak, the track's final pattern race of the season, and registered a career best by clear water with a display of force in the latter stages of the 15 1/2-furlong stamina test. The...

Highweight Manduro (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}-Mandellicht {Ire}, by Be My Guest), sustained a fatal heart attack at Haras du Logis on Saturday, Darley announced. The five-time highweight was 18 and stood for €7,000 at Haras du Logis this year. Bred by Rolf Brunner, the half-brother to SW, G1 German Oaks third, and Group 1 producer Mandela (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}) brought €130,000 at the 2003 Baden-Baden September Yearling Sale and would race his entire career in the colours of Baron Georg von Ullmann. Two-for-two in his juvenile season and named Germany's champion...