By Sean Cronin
Juddmonte's G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}–Mirabilis, by Lear Fan) failed to contend with subsequent G1 Coral-Eclipse runner-up Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in last month's G1 Coronation Cup, but regained the winning thread in emphatic style with a record-breaking performance in Saturday's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
Westover raced in a handy third behind Ralph Beckett-trained chaperone Malabu Drive (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who was usurped for the lead by last term's G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern victor Tunnes (Ger) (Guiliani {Ire}), and eased into second when his stablemate faded quickly with a half-mile remaining. Shaken up to seize control from Tunnes in early straight, the 1-2 favourite refused to yield when strongly pressed by Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) inside the final quarter-mile and was driven out to double his elite-level tally by two lengths from that rival. The winning time of 2:25.46 lowered Alpinista's race record, set last year, by nearly 3/4-of-a-second.
Westover's journey at the highest level began with an unlucky-in-running third in Epsom's G1 Derby before gaining a measure of compensation at the Curragh. He emptied quickly when facing elders for the first time in Ascot's G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. at the end of July and closed his 2022 campaign with a sixth in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He faced a stiff task on seasonal return in Meydan's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, but was no match for galactico Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) and ran on with gusto after Emily Upjohn's gears had sealed victory at Epsom last time.
“Inevitably there was pressure as it was a long time since he won, over a year, and the longer that goes on the harder it gets,” reflected Beckett. “There was nothing wrong with his two runs this year and he's only had the one blip in the [G1] King George [last year]. He was great today and it was a very fast time. For so long we had a reputation for training long-distance fillies, so it's important to change the dial. We'll enjoy today and see what comes next. This was important.” Looking ahead to targets down the line, the trainer continued, “I think we'll either stay at a mile-and-a-half or even have a conversation about going up in trip. The peloton came to him, but he stretched away in the last half-furlong. We'll certainly consider the [G1] King George [& Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot] and see how he is closer to the time. There will be a bit of a monkey on the shoulder saying is this a good idea after what happened last year, but we'll see. The Arc will be under consideration too and he ran a great race in it last year, but got stuck in the ground [when sixth].”
It was a landmark success for rider Rob Hornby, with it being his first Group 1 in the Juddmonte silks. “Winning a Group 1 in these colours is the stuff of dreams,” he said. “I was brought up watching these colours win prestigious races and to be able to do it at Group 1 level is the highest honour. I'm grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way. Ralph has trained this horse so well from two to three and three to four, so to win a Group 1 at four is so important. These are things you dream of, so when they come true you don't know how to think.” Reflecting on a record-breaking performance, he added, “The pace was really good early on and Dougie [Costello aboard Malabu Drive] was able to keep it honest the whole way. When he dropped the bit he was able to work into it and hit the line strong. This is my third Group 1 for Ralph and fourth overall, but it's nearly a year since my last one and they are so important for a jockey.”
Pedigree Notes
Westover, one of his sire's 31 Group 1 winners, is one of two black-type scorers and the leading performer out of GIII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. victrix Mirabilis (Lear Fan), who also ran third in the G1 Prix de la Foret. The April-foaled bay is a full-brother to G3 Darley S. victor Monarchs Glen (GB). Mirabilis, a daughter of GII Buena Vista H. and G3 Prix du Bois winner Media Nox (GB) (Lycius), is a half-sister to G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix du Moulin heroine Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat) and G2 Prix Eugene Adam victor Burning Sun (Danzig). Media Nox, in turn, is kin to MGSW G2 Prix de Malleret victrix Bonash (GB) (Rainbow Quest), whose descendants include G3 Earl of Sefton S. scorer and four-time Group 1-placed sire Phoenix Tower (Chester House) and G1 South Africa Classic hero Anfields Rocket (SAf) (Coup De Grace).
Saturday, Saint-Cloud, France
GRAND PRIX DE SAINT-CLOUD-G1, €400,000, Saint-Cloud, 7-8, 4yo/up, 12fT, 2:25.46 (NSR), g/s.
1–WESTOVER (GB), 128, c, 4, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Mirabilis (GSW-US, SW & G1SP-Fr, $275,664), by Lear Fan
2nd Dam: Media Nox (GB), by Lycius
3rd Dam: Sky Love, by Nijinsky II
O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Ralph Beckett; J-Rob Hornby. €228,560. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Ire, GSW & MG1SP-Eng, G1SP-UAE, 11-4-4-1, €2,3570,770. *Full to Monarchs Glen (GB), GSW-Eng, SW & GSP-US, $472,081. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Zagrey (Fr), 128, c, 4, Zarak (Fr)–Grey Anatomy (GB), by Slickly (Fr). (€32,000 RNA Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Ecurie Altima & Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Ecurie Euroling (FR); T-Yann Barberot. €91,440.
3–Junko (GB), 128, g, 4, Intello (Ger)–Lady Zuzu, by Dynaformer. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €45,720.
Margins: 2, 3, 9. Odds: 0.50, 3.20, 5.70.
Also Ran: Tunnes (Ger), Malabu Drive (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
Westover takes the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1)!
— IFHA's Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings (@worldsbesthorse) July 8, 2023
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