By Sean Cronin
The hitherto undefeated Fraise Des Bois (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}–Artifix {Ire}, by Lawman {Fr}) registered a hattrick of 5 1/2-furlong victories at Tarbes earlier in the campaign and continued on an upward trajectory with a career high in Sunday's Listed Criterium du Bequet at La Teste. The eventual winner recovered from a stuttering start to track the leaders in fifth after the initial strides of this black-type debut. Fanning wide to the stands' side off the home turn, she seized control with 300 metres remaining and powered clear inside the final furlong to trounce Imparable (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) by a mightily impressive seven lengths.
Fraise Des Bois, who becomes the eighth stakes-winner for her sire, is the fourth of five foals and one of three scorers produced by a half-sister to G2 Prix de Malleret runner-up Fuse (Fr) (Teofilo {Ire}). The March-foaled bay is a full-sister to a yearling colt and kin to stakes-winning G3 Prix des Reservoirs and G3 Prix Vanteaux placegetter Around Midnight (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}). The winner's third dam Sea Hill (Seattle Slew) is also the dam of G2 Prix de Malleret victrix and G1 Prix de l'Opera third Legerete (Rahy) as well as being the second dam of G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning sire Falco (Pivotal {GB}). Sea Hill is kin to G1 Prix Lupin-winning sire Groom Dancer (Blushing Groom {Fr}), Group 3-winning sire Tagel (Cox's Ridge) and to the dam of G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Plumania (GB) (Anabaa) and G2 Prix de Royallieu winner Balladeuse (Fr) (Singspiel {Ire}). Balladeuse, in turn, is the dam of G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). This is also the family of G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero and last week's G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil winner Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}).
(J-B.Eyquem) s'illustre une nouvelle fois !
La pensionnaire de Jean-Claude Rouget s'adjuge le Critérium de Béquet – Ventes Osarus (Listed) à La Teste et reste invaincue (4 courses – 4 victoires).
Imparable
La Samana pic.twitter.com/9JFZQJClqS— Equidia (@equidia) July 21, 2024
Sunday, La Teste-Bassin Arcachon, France
CRITERIUM DU BEQUET – VENTES OSARUS-Listed, €60,000, La Teste-Bassin Arcachon, 7-21, 2yo, 6fT, 1:14.62, vsf.
1–FRAISE DES BOIS (FR), 125, f, 2, by Zelzal (Fr)
1st Dam: Artifix (Ire), by Lawman (Fr)
2nd Dam: Houleuse, by Dynaformer
3rd Dam: Sea Hill, by Seattle Slew
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€75,000 Ylg '23 ARQOCT). O-Denford Stud; B-Mme Camille Vitse, Guillaume Vitse, Mme Axelle Vitse & Mme Valentine Vitse (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Jean-Bernard Eyquem. €30,000. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, €66,500.
2–Imparable (Ire), 125, f, 2, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Impassable (Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Christopher Head. €12,000.
3–La Samana (Fr), 125, f, 2, Goken (Fr)–Steel Woman (Ire), by Anabaa. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Guy Pariente Holding & Gemini Stud; B-Gemini Stud, Jean Boniche & Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €9,000.
Margins: 7, 3/4, 2HF. Odds: 3.00, 9.00, 3.60.
Also Ran: Unspoken Love (Ire), Octans (Spa), Sardaigne (Fr), Faraona Cen (Ire), Golden Furius (Ire), Hello Jeeby (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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