Pedigree Watch – France New SWs Frankel and Shalaa

Tara Madgwick - Thursday May 26

Stakes action in Europe overnight produced a new stakes-winner for Arrowfield shuttler Shalaa (IRE) and a new stakes-winner for Frankel that is trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the man who is soon to take charge of Australian Horse of the Year Verry Elleegant.

The Group II Prix Hocquart (2200m) at Longchamp was won by progressive Frankel 3YO colt L’Astronome, who was a short priced favourite.

 

Advertisement
Second at his only start last year, L’Astronome has won all three starts this year with this run his first in stakes company and he does hold an entry for the Arc so is obviously held in high regard.

A homebred for Al Asayl France, he is a half-brother to Group II placed Eltezam from well bred Giant’s Causeway mare Tymora, a  daughter of Group I winner Shiva, a half-sister to Group I winner Light Shift, the dam of Champion European Older Horse in 2017 Ulysses (Galileo).

L’Astronome is the 96th stakes-winner for Frankel, who is working towards his century of stakes-winners and was super popular as a covering sire at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

There were 10 mares sold at an average $880,000 having been covered by Frankel with the highest priced being Fantasy (IRE), who fetched $1.7million.

The Listed Prix de Pontarme (1400m) for 3YO’s was won by improving colt Siam Paragon, who won by half a length as favourite.

 

He scored a tenacious win, his third from seven starts and confirmed the potential of his last start third in stakes company.

Siam Paragon is the seventh stakes-winner for Shalaa  and is his fourth in Europe. He is the first winner for Cracker, a daughter of Group III winner Tottie.

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.