By Tom Frary
Atoning for a luckless defeat in the G1 1,000 Guineas, Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}–Tres Magnifique {Fr}, by Zoffany {Ire}) returned to Newmarket's Rowley Mile to conquer a strong renewal of the G1 Sun Chariot Stakes on Saturday. Tried over different trips by David Menuisier following that Classic effort, she had proven that this trip is what she needs when winning Sandown's G3 Atalanta Stakes in August and faced an easier task from the break as Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) again surrendered ground.
Positioned close to the leader by Colin Keane, the 2-1 favourite had total control three out and despite the effort of Cheveley Park Stud's stellar homebred was never going to surrender her advantage. At the line, she had two lengths to spare over Inspiral, with a further length to See The Fire (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in third. “I said to Colin she travels well and quickens, just keep it simple,” Menuisier said. “For once everything went smoothly and she really deserves this. It's a big sense of achievement this win today, especially when you feel you have missed out a few times. I'm just glad for the filly, before myself.”
Tamfana, who was successful in the G3 Prix Miesque at two, had also gone close in the G1 Prix de Diane where she was beaten less than a length into third before stretching out too far when fourth in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris. Her next target could be the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in a fortnight, but her trainer was holding fire. “We will see how the filly she is. She goes on any ground, but at this time of year you just have to play it by ear,” he added.
Inspiral, who forfeited less ground than she had at Deauville last time, has run her last race according to Richard Thompson. “It's been brilliant and what a journey with her. Six group 1s, a Breeders' Cup, a couple of Jacques le Marois and a Coronation Stakes,” he said. “Chris [Richardson] and the team at the stud obviously bred her and she has been marvellous for my family and for my mother who will be at home watching.”
Pedigree Notes
The sixth top-level winner for her late sire, Tamfana is out of Tres Magnifique whose dam Ticana (Ger) (Sholokhov {Ire}) is a full-sister to the dual listed winner and G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly runner-up Timos (Ger) and half to the GI Beverly D. Stakes heroine Sea Calisi (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}). Her 2-year-old filly by Areion (Ger) is named The Palace Girl (Ger).
Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
VIRGIN BET SUN CHARIOT STAKES-G1, £275,000, Newmarket, 10-5, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT, 1:40.48, g/s.
1–TAMFANA (GER), 128, f, 3, by Soldier Hollow (GB)
1st Dam: Tres Magnifique (Fr), by Zoffany (Ire)
2nd Dam: Ticana (Ger), by Sholokhov (Ire)
3rd Dam: Triclaria (Ger), by Surumu (Ger)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€20,000 Ylg '22 BBAGS). O-Quantum
Leap Racing VIII & Friends; B-Gestut Etzean & H H Rodenburg
(GER); T-David Menuisier; J-Colin Keane. £155,953. Lifetime
Record: GSW & G1SP-Fr, 9-4-0-3, $517,004. Werk Nick Rating:
C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Inspiral (GB), 131, m, 5, Frankel (GB)–Starscope (GB), by
Selkirk. O-Cheveley Park Stud; B-Cheveley Park Stud Limited
(GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £59,125.
3–See The Fire (GB), 128, f, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Arabian
Queen (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire). O-Mr J C Smith; B-Littleton Stud
(GB); T-Andrew Balding. £29,590.
Margins: 2, 1, SHD. Odds: 2.00, 4.50, 3.00.
Also Ran: Elmalka (GB), Nashwa (GB), Darnation (Ire).
Tamfana triumphs in the @VirginBet Sun Chariot Stakes!
The three-year-old gets her deserved Group 1 breakthrough under @ctkjockey on a red-letter day for @DavidMenuisier 👏 @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/K60VbHTquP
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 5, 2024
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