By Sean Cronin
Al Shaqab Racing's juvenile filly Balsam (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Bea Remembered {GB}, by Doyen {Ire}) was a two-race maiden heading into Wednesday's Listed Prix des Reves d'Or at Vichy and went home with a stakes rosette and a breakthrough success in the bag after denting a pair of unbeaten records.
Balsam, let go as the 13-2 fourth choice of seven, was sharply into stride from the outside gate and occupied a prominent slot in second through halfway. Looming large on the bridle out wide to threaten the pacesetting 'TDN Rising Star' Les Pavots (Ire) (No Nay Never) passing the quarter-mile pole, she inched ahead of that rival entering the final furlong and onward to an ultimately comfortable 3/4-of-a-length triumph. Amo Racing's homebred Komat (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}), hitherto undefeated, ran on well in the closing stages to finish a half-length adrift in third.
Balsam is the latest of eight foals and becomes the sixth winner for G3 Meld S. third Bea Remembered (GB) (Doyen {Ire}). The April-foaled homebred bay is a half-sister to MGSW globetrotter Stormy Antarctic (GB) (Stormy Atlantic), who placed five times at elite level, and G2 Queen Mary and G2 Prix Robert Papin runner-up Al Johrah (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}). Bea Remembered is the leading performer thrown by multiple scorer Leinster Mills (Ire) (Doyoun {Ire}), herself kin to Listed Mooresbridge S. victrix Cheviot Amble (Ire) (Pennine Walk {Ire}) and Listed Debutante S. winner Alalja (Ire) (Entitled {Ire}). Cheviot Amble is the dam of Listed Hoppings S. victrix Amalia (Ire) (Danehill) while Alalja produced Listed Premio Nastro d'Oro di Sicilia victor Absolute Taft (Ire) (King's Theatre {Ire}). The family also features G1 Deutsches Derby second Taishan (Ger) (Armistice Day {GB}).
Wednesday, Vichy, France
HARAS DE BEAUMONT – PRIX DES REVES D'OR – JACQUES BOUCHARA-Listed, €60,000, Vichy, 5-17, 2yo, 5fT, 1:03.30, sf.
1–BALSAM (FR), 122, f, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Bea Remembered (GB) (GSP-Ire, SP-Eng & Swe), by Doyen (Ire)
2nd Dam: Leinster Mills (Ire), by Doyoun (Ire)
3rd Dam: Miss Turnberry (Ire), by Mummy's Pet (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O/B-Al Shaqab Racing (FR); T-Henri-Francois Devin; J-Clement Lecoeuvre. €30,000. Lifetime Record: 3-1-2-0, €41,400. *1/2 to Stormy Antarctic (GB) (Stormy Atlantic), MGSW & G1SP-Ger, GSW & MG1SP-Fr, GSW-Eng & Ity, GISP-Can, $986,165; and Al Johrah (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), GSP-Eng & Fr, $129,933.
2–Les Pavots (Ire), 122, f, 2, No Nay Never–Sparrow (Ire), by Oasis Dream (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Craig Bernick & Haras d'Etreham; B-Coolmore Stud (IRE); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €12,000.
3–Komat (GB), 122, f, 2, Cable Bay (Ire)–Tamok (Ire), by Australia (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Amo Racing Ltd (GB); T-Dominic Ffrench Davis. €9,000.
Margins: 3/4, HF, 2. Odds: 6.50, 0.90, 3.00.
Also Ran: Eclaire La Vie (Fr), Chataigne (Fr), Arizona (Fr), Daiquiberry (Ire). Video, sponsored by TVG.
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