Having won the French trainers’ title in 30 of the last 34 seasons, there is a reason why Andre Fabre is described as a legend of European racing.
Of course, a record eight winners of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe doesn’t hurt, either – but the 75-year-old isn’t quite so prolific when it comes to at least one of the main supporting events on Sunday’s Arc card at ParisLongchamp, where five of the six G1s are part of the Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge.
Among them are both 2-year-old events, starting with the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac, which offers a fees-paid spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on November 5.
Fabre has won France’s senior race for 2-year-old fillies – only once, back in 1995, with the Wildenstein filly Miss Tahiti. However, he is leaving no stone unturned in a bid to end a 26-year drought as he saddles three leading fancies for Sunday’s race, headed by Juddmonte homebred Raclette, a Frankel filly who left her trainer waxing unusually lyrical after she slammed a fellow Deauville winner in a 4-length triumph at Chantilly last month.
“She was very impressive last time out and she is probably one of the best fillies I have ever trained – she’s got everything,” said Fabre, speaking to Racing TV, where he also mentioned next year’s 1000 Guineas.
Raclette is joined in the Boussac by a pair of stablemates, Godolphin’s Fleur D’Iris and Zellie, 1-2 in the G3 Prix d’Aumale over course and distance. Moyglare Stud Stakes runner-up Agartha heads the overseas opposition.
With five winners, Fabre has a superior record in the Qatar-sponsored Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, which is linked to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. He relies on Coolmore’s 3-time winner Ancient Rome – but there are several likely suspects among the visitors, including Phoenix Stakes winner Ebro River and Angel Bleu, who won the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Aidan O’Brien, who has won this eight times, has a less obvious chance this time with Stone Age, who represents Coolmore and American Peter Brant, who won last year’s Arc with Sottsass. Stone Age is yet to break his maiden after three starts. Also showing up for the home team is the Wertheimers’ unbeaten filly Accakaba, who came in from the provinces to score in G2 company at Deauville.
A bit of context
History: Founded in 1853, France’s premier race for 2-year-olds is still probably better known as the Grand Criterium, despite being renamed in honour of former France-Galop president Jean-Luc Lagardere as long ago as 2003. Run over a mile for several seasons, it is now a 7-furlong event.
The Marcel Boussac is France’s sole G1 confined to juvenile fillies. Originally the Criteirum des Pouliches at its inception in 1969, the race was renamed in 1980 in honour of leading owner/breeder Marcel Boussac, a hugely influential chairman of French racing’s then governing body, the Société d’Encouragement. As might be imagined, both 2-year-old races are highly significant trials for the following year’s Guineas in both England and France.
Star turn: Allez France (1972) – the nation’s pre-eminent filly for four years, Daniel Wildenstein’s hugely popular performer announced herself on the major stage with victory in what was then the Criterium des Pouliches on the second start of her nascent career for trainer Albert Klimscha. Among a plethora of top-level victories in Paris across subsequent seasons were a pair of Classics and a famously emotional Arc triumph under Yves Saint-Martin in 1974, when she went undefeated for new trainer Angel Penna.
Only dual King George winner Dahlia rivalled her status in France in the mid-70s – but Allez France beat her on each of the six times they met.
Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere – most wins (trainer): Henry Jennings (11) – Miss Cath (1855), Duchess (1856), Isabella (1860), Stradella (1861), Czar (1865), Revigny (1871), Jonquille (1875), Jongleur (1876), Mantille (1877), Basilique (1879), The Condor (1884)
Most wins (jockey): George Stern, Roger Poincelet (both 6)
Prix Marcel Boussac – most wins (trainer): Pascal Bary (5) – Sierra Madre (1993), Amonita (2000), Six Perfections (2002), Denebola (2003), Divine Proportions (2004)
Criquette Head-Maarek (5) – Gold Splash (1992), Macoumba (1994), Loving Claim (1997), Juvenia (1998), Proportional (2008)
Most wins (jockey) – Lester Piggott, Yves Saint-Martin, Alain Lequeux, Willie Carson, Olivier Peslier (all 3)
Breeders’ Cup Challenge
As part of the ‘Win and You’re In’ programme, the winner of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere earns a guaranteed spot in the Juvenile Turf at Del Mar on November 5, while the Prix Marcel Boussac is similarly linked to the Juvenile Fillies Turf. A minimum travel allowance of $40,000 will also be provided for all starters based outside North America.
Already qualified: Juvenile Turf (3): Atomic Jones (Champions Juvenile Stakes), Albahr (Summer Stakes), Royal Patronage (Royal Lodge)
Juvenile Fillies Turf (3): Discoveries (Moyglare Stud Stakes), Wild Beauty (Natalma), Hello You (Rockfel)
Breeders’ Cup past performance
While the likes of Miesque, Six Perfections, Found and Wuheida all won at the Breeders’ Cup in later years after winning the Prix Marcel Boussac, no winner of the race has ever go on to land the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Last year’s surprise winner Tiger Tanaka hasn’t won again in four starts since.
Flotilla was fourth behind Silasol in 2012 before scoring at Santa Anita; the 2019 Boussac winner Albigna was fourth to Sharing at the Breeders’ Cup.
Winners of the Jean-Luc Lagardere include Arazi, who went down in Breeders’ Cup history for his astonishing performance on the dirt at Churchill Downs after winning what was then the Grand Criterium in 1991.
Sealiway, who floored odds-on Nando Parrado by eight lengths on heavy ground 12 months ago, was fifth to Fire At Will after being short of room at Keeneland. Never a factor, really, but equally no sort of embarrassment either.
Top contenders for Prix Marcel Boussac
Raclette (Andre Fabre/Maxime Guyon) – much touted daughter of Frankel has won two from two, waltzing up by four lengths in Chantilly conditions race on soft ground three weeks ago; Juddmonte homebred set to start heavy favourite for legendary trainer.
Agartha (Joseph O’Brien/jockey tba) – tough filly, kept busy with seven runs already this term; transformed by forcing tactics and step up in trip, winning G2 and then beaten only three-quarters of a length by Discoveries in G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes (again tried to make all); game type who has progressed with racing.
Natasha (John & Thady Gosden/Frankie Dettori) - Frankel filly improved from promising debut to win on all-weather at Kempton and decent novice event on turf at Sandown over a mile; steps up in grade markedly but looked potential Pattern performer that day in comfortable success over nicely bred rivals.
Top contenders for Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere
Ebro River (Hugo Palmer/James Doyle) – eight runs already this season for Al Shaqab’s son of owner’s 2000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold; three wins include gutsy success in G1 Phoenix Stakes over 6f at the Curragh (had rail to help but nice attitude holding off all-comers); set the pace in National Stakes before being overwhelmed by Native Trail inside final furlong; sets clear standard here on form but stamina remains a potential issue, though presumably he can dictate affairs.
Ancient Rome (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona) – U.S.-bred son of War Front (out of dual G3-winning Sadler’s Wells mare) representing Coolmore team; on a four-timer after running on strongly to land G3 over a mile last month, though value of form open to question; broke maiden on heavy ground.