Sajir (Ire)

A new incentive programme for the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene was launched by France Galop this spring. In danger of being downgraded from Group 2 to Group 3 status next year, the race now has a quintet of lead-up sprint-race qualifiers where the winner will be automatically entered in the June 2 1000-metre sprint and the €1,200 entry fee will be waived. Two of the five qualifying races have already taken place, the Prix Cor de Chasse at Deauville on Apr. 9, won by Vicious Harry (Fr) (Harry Angel {Ire}),...

Recent winners of Chantilly's G3 Prix Sigy include subsequent Group 1 scorers Signs Of Blessing (Ire), Quiet Reflection (GB) and Sands Of Mali (Fr) and this year's renewal went the way of last term's Listed Prix Saraca victor and G3 Prix de Cabourg second Sajir (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}--Simple Magic {Ire}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who displayed elite-level potential defeating a solid cast of nine sophomore rivals in the 5 1/2-furlong dash. Last term's G1 Prix Morny sixth, who encountered a testing surface and dank conditions here, broke swiftly and...

Deauville's month-long racing fest is back upon us on Sunday, with the G1 Prix Rothschild the key event on a talent-packed card. British and Irish interests always excel at this meeting, so the first port of call must be the reinvented miler Rogue Millennium (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who was able to transfer the scintillating speed she had shown over middle distances of late to this trip in Royal Ascot's G2 Duke of Cambridge S. The pride and joy of Tom Clover's stable may have found an ideal opportunity to garner...