It's Monday morning, the coffee is on and I've already watched 15 replays of French races in the provinces from Sundays cards. I'm very lucky to be able to dedicate so much time to this, but if you don't have quite as much time, I've had a brief idea to try and make the form study a little simpler. With so many French horses being bought each year, it can be very dififcult to keep track of the form and to know which pieces of form to follow and which to discard. So, to try and make things a little easier I have created a list below of 5 races from the Spring season that I think are worth some extra attention when studying this years recruits from France. I have just updated the PDF file for this years list (see related post) and having sorted through the 3-year-olds, these 5 races stood out for me. If time allows, I will probably add an additional post for the older horses later this month, but for now this concentrates on the Juveniles.
I have listed the 5 races below, along with links to the replays on the France Galop site and details of which horses to look out for:
PRIX D'ESSAI DES POULAINS
Compiegne 5th March
Willy de Houelle (1st), Its Bilbo (4th)
Willy de Houelle is now the Triumph hurdle favourite and has joined Willie Mullins for Rich Ricci, whilst Its Bilbo was purchased for Henry de Bromhead after his debut here.
This race was won by Quilixios in 2020 on his only start for Francois Nicolle.
PRIX GO AHEAD
Auteuil 27th April
Willy de Houelle (2nd), Sony Bill (4th), Mambonumberfive (5th)
Both Willy de Houelle and Sony Bill have joined Willie Mullins, whilst Mambonumberfive was a €450,000 purchase for Ben Pauling.
The race was won by Nietzsche Has, who is the highest rated 3YO in France so far in 2024.
PRIX DE POUILLY
Auteuil 5th May
Sauvignon (2nd), Fou de Toi (3rd)
Sauvignon is a hlaf-brother to G1 Prix du Moulin winner Sauterne and has joined Paul Nicholls, whilst Fou de Toi is now with Willie Mullins.
Both Sauvignon and the winner Apollon du Luy would go on to win Listed races in their subsequent starts.
PRIX SAGAN
Auteuil 18th May
Irisante (3rd).
Rated 68kg (136 UK), this filly by Tai Chi has now moved to the UK to be trained by DJ Jeffreys.
Race was won by Kargese in 2023, who went on to be a G1 winner for Willie Mullins last season.
PRIX D'IENA
Auteuil 8th June
Murcia (1st)
Murcia has joined Willie Mullins for Kenny Alexander.
The 2nd, 3rd and 4th all came into this race on the back of a win.
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