Prix Rothschild

It's not easy to write a column while watching the Olympics, especially as Britain attempts to out-battle France for eventing gold at the Palace of Versailles, but here goes. It was France which had the upper hand at Ascot on Saturday or, correctly speaking, Francis-Henri Graffard, whose return from Chantilly to the Berkshire track with the rampaging Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) should have been eye-popping enough to ensure that his runners are never again sent off at such generous odds in Britain. We can now savour the prospect of once...

'Depuis 1875' is proudly printed under the name of Haras de Meautry on the website of the renowned French nursery, and longevity is a key factor at the Rothschild family's stud in varied respects.  For almost 150 years, the  breeding of Thoroughbreds has taken place at the farm at Touques, just outside Deauville, which was at one stage part of an even greater operation and included land which is now occupied by an international showjumping centre in Deauville itself. The Rothschild family has been intrinsically linked not just to Normandy,...

Tom Clover will keep Rogue Millennium (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) to a mile after her Royal Ascot heroics in the G2 Duke Of Cambridge S. and is now targeting the G1 Prix Rothschild. Rogue Millennium had done the majority of her racing over 10 furlongs prior to dropping back to the mile at Ascot last week and the move paid off in spades with the filly running out a gritty winner.  Clover has admitted that he is still pinching himself after his royal success and is looking forward to what the...

Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) fetched a modest 55,000gns when sent through this ring four years ago at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, but having won six of her 13 starts, including Group 1 events in England and France, the 4-year-old lit up the tote at Park Paddocks, selling to HRH Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz's Najd Stud for 3.6 million guineas early Tuesday evening during the second Sceptre Session. Consigned by Jane Chapple-Hyam Racing, Saffron Beach was a winner in Group 3 company at career start number...

Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) could make her first European start in August as her new trainer Francis-Henri Graffard revealed he is considering a bid for the G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville. A sensation in Australia, Verry Elleegant won 11 Group 1 races--including the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup--under the care of Chris Waller before it was announced in May that she would continue her career in France.  The G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the G1 Fillies & Mares Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot were...

He may be without one of the most exciting horses in his stable this weekend after being forced to rule Limiti Di Greccio (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) out of Sunday's Irish G1 1000 Guineas but Paddy Twomey has talked up the chances of Pearls Galore (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) ahead of the G2 Lanwades Stud S on the same day. Pearls Galore was beaten just a neck in the G1 Matron S. at Leopardstown last season before chasing home Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Prix de la Foret...

David Ward's Primo Bacio (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) will venture to Deauville on Aug. 3 in an attempt to get off the mark at the highest level in the G1 Prix Rothschild. Trained by Ed Walker, the 3-year-old filly won the Listed Oaks Farm Stables Fillies' S. at York on May 14 by three lengths, but could manage only fifth in the G1 Falmouth S. on July 9 after meeting trouble in running. "She goes for the Prix Rothschild at Deauville," Walker said. "She had no luck in the Falmouth. There...

Deauville stages the first of its August features on Sunday, with the fillies and mares granted the opportunity to strike at the highest level in the G1 Prix Rothschild. Alexander Tamagni-Bodmer and Regula Vannod's Watch Me (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) sets the standard, having won last year's G1 Coronation S. and finished third in the G1 Prix de l'Opera and she looked primed for another big effort when taking the course-and-distance Listed Prix de la Calonne on July 12. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is expecting a bold show. "She is in...

Sheikh Hamdan's G1 Falmouth S. winner Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) looks set to race outside Britain for the first time, with Deauville's G1 Prix Rothschild on Aug. 2 her likely next target. "We're looking at the Prix Rothschild, but we are just going to look at the Nassau as well in case we can't get to France for any reason," confirmed the sheikh's racing manager Angus Gold. "The first priority has always been Deauville, but she'll probably be in the Nassau." He added of the 4-year-old filly, "I'm sure...