Wertheimer et Frere

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a Wertheimer homebred. 18.40 Deauville, Mdn, €30,000, 2yo, c/g, 9 1/2f (AWT) Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's PACIFISTE (FR) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), one of two homebred newcomers entered, is a son of GI American Oaks and GI Del Mar Oaks heroine Lady Of Shamrock (Scat Daddy) and...

Chantilly's Tuesday card opened with a fascinating newcomers' event and played host to a winner with considerable promise in the Wertheimers' Uther (GB) (Camelot {GB}--Sosia {Ger}, by Shamardal). A half-brother to this year's G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero and G1 Prix du Jockey Club third Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the Christophe Ferland-trained homebred sauntered in behind the early leader for Maxime Guyon enjoying perfect cover. Taking control approaching the furlong pole thanks to a sharp 10.84 penultimate split, the 8-5 favourite finished off with a finale in...

Relishing the heavy ground at Saint-Cloud on Sunday, the Wertheimers' Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}--Dancequest {Ire}, by Dansili {GB}) successfully defended his crown in the feature G1 Prix Royal-Oak. Tracking the leader Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) from the break, the 13-2 shot was committed by Maxime Guyon with 300 metres remaining and stayed on strongly to deny the 23-10 favourite Sevenna's Knight (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) by 1 1/4 lengths, with Trueshan a head away in third. "I am very proud of him," trainer Christophe Ferland said. "Last year, we...

QIPCO British Champions Series has named two of Europe's racing stars, Yorkshire-born trainer Jack Berry and the outstanding 14-time Group 1 winner Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), to be inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame. Both inductees, together with the Hall of Fame's public vote winner Dubai Millennium (GB), will be recognised with a special presentation on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday, October 19. Jack Berry MBE is just the third person to be recognised within the Special Contributor category, following in the footsteps of...

Andre Fabre trainee Nitoi (Siyouni {Fr}--Lady Zuzu, by Dynaformer), a half-brother to G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern and G1 Hong Kong Vase hero Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}), justified 8-5 favouritism with a 2 1/2-length victory in Monday's Prix de la Maniguette over nine furlongs at Chantilly. 2nd-Chantilly, €30,000, Mdn, 9-17, 2yo, c/g, 9fT, 1:54.26, sf. NITOI (c, 2, Siyouni {Fr}--Lady Zuzu {MGSP-US, $112,615}, by Dynaformer) was well away and asserted for an early lead in this debut. Holding sway throughout, the 8-5 favourite was nudged along when threatened by Bellagio...

All eyes were on the returning G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero Look De Vega (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in Sunday's G2 Qatar Prix Niel at ParisLongchamp, but while he appeared to run out of stamina the Wertheimers' Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}--Sosia {Ger}, by Shamardal) proved that is his strong suit to book his Arc ticket. Rested since his G1 Grand Prix de Paris success over this course and mile-and-a-half trip, the Andre Fabre-trained homebred shadowed that Classic-winning peer throughout the early stages with Ronan Thomas happy...

Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's 'TDN Rising Star' and G1 Prix de Diane fourth Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}--Balladeuse {Fr}, by Singspiel {Ire}), who had dazzled with a seven-length triumph in June's G3 Prix de Royaumont, bounce back in style and surged from last to first for a second pattern-race success in Saturday's G2 Prix de Pomone at Deauville. The 3-5 favourite, the lone sophomore in a seven-strong field, was tucked in behind all six rivals upon leaving the stalls and employed patient tactics racing off a sedate tempo for...

Winning ParisLongchamp's G1 Grand Prix de Paris for the 14th time, Andre Fabre was also ending a drought of 10 years since the last as the Wertheimers' Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}--Sosia {Ger}, by Shamardal) prevailed at ParisLongchamp on Saturday evening. Third in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club last time, the homebred became the latest to emerge to bestow extra gravity on that Chantilly Classic as he swept by his contemporaries up this hallowed straight. Ideally placed in fourth early by Maxime Guyon, the 5-2 second favourite took...

Chantilly's G1 Prix de Diane programme opened with a bang when Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's homebred 2-year-old filly Polyvega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--Polydream {Ire}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) unleashed a debut performance of note to attain 'TDN Rising Star' status in Sunday's Prix de la Reine Blanche Longines Polyvega was a shade slow from the stands' side stall and raced in fourth after the initial strides of this debutantes' heat. Cruising forward on the bridle once past halfway, the 3-1 second choice was shaken up to seize control approaching...

Fourteen 3-year-old fillies will head to post for Sunday's €1,000,000 G1 Prix de Diane Longines after final declarations were made Thursday morning. David Menuisier representative and likely favourite Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), who was last seen running fourth in Newmarket's G1 1000 Guineas, has been allocated stall four. His Highness The Aga Khan's G3 Prix de la Grotte winner Candala (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) is towards the outside in 12 while Godolphin's Andre Fabre trainee Rock'n Swing (GB) (Camelot {GB}) was drawn next door in 13. Godolphin is double-handed with...

On the 15th anniversary of the passing of Vincent O'Brien, his successor at Ballydoyle, Aidan O'Brien, extended his record at Epsom to 10 wins in the Derby. Vincent O'Brien's daughter and son-in-law Sue and John Magnier were not at Epsom on Saturday but several of the late, great trainer's grandchildren were in the winner's circle to greet City Of Troy. Their own family is now so strongly enmeshed with the man who shares their grandfather's surname but is no relation to the creator of Ballydoyle. Just like City Of Troy,...

Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}--Lady Zuzu, by Dynaformer), who collected two Group 1 contests last term, encountered heavy ground for the first time in 17 career starts and prevailed, just, in a pulsating renewal of Sunday's G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly. The 23-10 favourite tanked forward from an early position in rear to stalk the tempo in second after steady initial exchanges. Inching closer in the straight to challenge at the quarter-mile marker, he was ridden to poach a decisive advantage passing the furlong pole and came under...