By Emma Berry
DEAUVILLE, France — While nothing will ever top Derby day as the day in the racing calendar not to be missed, a close second is Prix Morny day in Deauville. Or in fact any racing day in Deauville.
Those mizzly days of autumn with almost nobody there are special in their own aloof way, but Morny day – or Sumbe Prix Morny day to give it its full title – is one that offers something for everyone, whether purist or holidaymaker, in sharp suits or shorts. Probably no course in the world achieves that happy blend better than the one celebrating its 160th anniversary in the seaside town the Parisiens make their home in August, shared on and off by the turfistes and the sales crowd. At the Hippodrome de Deauville-La Touques it doesn't matter what you wear; it doesn't matter who you are. You can pay at most €12, but general entry is €5 with a race card thrown in, and children younger than 12 are allowed in for free, making it the perfect family day out.
Many readers of this publication will have had more serious business to contend with in Deauville over the last few weeks. But it is important, even on those days of toil, to spend a few hours appreciating the end result of all that work by wandering around a geranium-lined racecourse in dappled sunshine while some of the best horses in Europe are paraded close at hand.
Who among us now can not love Mqse De Sevigne? A double-double of Group 1 wins in the town where she was born, for the man who devoted so much of his time and energy towards the betterment of French racing for many a year. There was no mistaking the joy of Baron Edouard de Rothschild and his family as they punched the air in delight – and perhaps a little disbelief – at the latest achievement of their most elegant of mares. An Arc win next, to add to Haras de Meautry's last victory in that great race back in 1963 with Exbury? Wouldn't that be nice.
Friendly Soul, too, is growing in our admiration. Her American owner-breeder George Strawbridge was in town, enjoying the shade of a bench in the parade ring as he awaited the latest victory for his smart filly. Given a super front-running ride by Kieran Shoemark, she is now four-for-five, with a Group 2 added to her collection of stakes victories. That admiration should also be extended to her runner-up, sweet little Birthe, the beating heart of Laura Vanska's small stable and the perfect advertisement for her trainer's skills as a horsewoman.
But the centrepiece of this great day is of course the clash of the youngsters at the highest level, coming hard on the heels of last weekend's G1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes. Eight days is a short turnaround for juveniles especially, so it was a surprise to see Whistlejacket confirmed for the Morny after the colt had finished second to Juddmonte's Babouche at the Curragh.
This had always been the plan, insisted Aidan O'Brien, to come to Deauville, and here he was, this laidback and well-made chestnut colt with an easy walk and an even easier attitude, strolling around the ring in the racecourse stables long before any of his rivals emerged from their boxes.
It's lovely to see a horse in the parade ring without the increasingly ubiquitous red hood and, even better, no noseband and just a snaffle bit. That's Whistlejacket: no fuss, just jump, grab the stands' rail, make all, win. Job done.
Whistlejacket and his happy throng | Emma Berry
It is easy to forget that he is following the example set by his elder brother Little Big Bear, a seven-length winner of the Phoenix Stakes just two years ago. Whistlejacket has inherited the chestnut coat of their late dam Adventure Seeker, a daughter of Bering, while Little Big Bear favours the bay of their imposing sire No Nay Never. Different colours, same talent, and another day of delight for the breeding partnership of the Hyde and Shanahan families.
Two generations of those families were among the large throng which joined Whitstlejacket for the winning photo: a brace of Timmy Hydes, Sr and Jr, along with Paul and Charles Shanahan.
“Unfortunately the mare died foaling this fella, but she sure left us a good one,” said Hyde Sr, adding of the colt's swift return to the racecourse, “We all thought it was a brave call, but Aidan is Aidan.”
“It just shows what a good trainer Aidan is,” chimed in Charles Shanahan. “The horse was so calm out the back. We couldn't get over it, and going down to the start as well.
“Timmy and Dad have had so much luck with No Nay Never over the years, with Ten Sovereigns, Little Big Bear, and now this fella – if we could get one of these every year we would be very happy.”
Hyde's older voice of reason corrected him. “Charles, if we could get one of these every second year it would be good enough.”
Good enough it was, on a racing day of near perfection.
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