The entries are out for the Brocklesby at Doncaster as the British juvenile season is about to get underway. The French turf season is already in full swing and we have seen several races for the two-year-olds in the last fortnight too. That's not unusual as the French season is always about a month ahead of the UK. We probably haven't seen any Group 1 performers this early in the season, but there have been a couple of interesting performances, especially from Minotor and Nyoka. It will probably be months rather than weeks' before we see the very best juveniles in this years' crop, but here are my notes on the races that we have seen so far.
PRIX DU PREMIER PAS
Lyon Parilly - 16th March 2025
Collant 4,3
900m. 58.43s
Minotor (Bonnefoy). Knew his job, broke well and sat behind the leader. Moved forwards at 2-furlong pole and asserted quickly. Won with something in hand. Goken Colt, Dam won twice as a 2YO, half-sister to The Good Man. Wore a tongue-tie. March Foal.
Night Mary (2nd). Received 4-kilos from the winner with riders’ claim. Bumped start and taken back. Ridden when switched wide, but once clear has finished strongly. Ran 37.13s for the final 3-furlongs (winner 37.46s). Wore a Noseband. Olympic Glory filly. Home bred.
Hold My Hand (3rd). Amy Murphy trained. Sent off 3.0 PMU. Broke well and raced prominently. Every chance but tired in the final 2-furlongs.
Video Games (4th). Outpaced from halfway but did keep on, albeit one paced. Finished in 38.22s. Dariyan Colt for Jayne Soubagne. Wore a tongue-tie. Some promise.
PRIX DE CARQUEIRANNE
Marseille-Borely 19/3/25
Tres Souple 3,9
1,000m. 60.18s
The Black Stone (Jayne Soubagne). Drawn wide and started slowly. Recovered and sat behind the lead, getting the gap on the inside rail when it mattered. Eased last 20-yards. Yafta Colt. Wore a Tongue-tie.
Astrea (2nd). Fas Filly. Ran on well in the closing stages, finishing in 36.64s (R1). Further back than ideal having been supplemented for the race. January Foal.
Remenber Chope (3rd) was keen when caught off heels going to the bend. Hung, but brought back under control. Ran on with the rail. Decent run given the way she ran to the first bend. Wore a Noseband.
Wana Chope (4th) broke well and had every chance without finishing her race. Similar applies to Clea Chope (6th) who was in front at the furlong pole, though widest. Temadiva (5th) was sent off 3.1 PMU. Broke well and had the rail, though faded in the straight. Al Shaqab bred but already sold. Daughter of G3 winner Sandiva. €7000 yearling.
Go Man (7th) ran green and was unsteearble around the turn, going 10-wide. Line through this form.
PRIX DU DEBUT
Saint-Cloud 20/3/25
Bon Souple 3,4
900m. 52.42s
Nyoka. Appeared 2nd string for Amy Murphy based on the betting and jockey booking, but bred for speed (Bungleinthejungle filly). Received 1.5-kilos with riders’ claim. Started well and traveled to lead after a furlong. Ran around when initially asked, but in command and always on top.
Sbikha (2nd) tracked the leader through into the latter stages. Perhaps lacked the pace needed to get on terms but showed some promise. €15k Foal - €23k yearling. Only pushed out, but had similar early speed to the winner (65.7 km/h).
Limpide (3rd). Graffard trained. Traveled best behind the lead, stick used more to keep her straight (slight drift to her right). Too much to do but did keep on and only hands ride once clear she wasn’t getting there. Likely improver for next start.
Landscape (4th). Goken Colt. Led on far side rail. Lacked pace of the winner in the final furlong. Donnalucata (5th) outpaced from an early stage, some late progress but only passing tired ones. Finished in 34.78s (Winner 38.90s).
Asenseofserenity (6th). Stable first-string for Amy Murphy with Tony Piccone booked. Drawn wider. Ridden from an early stage and not able to get on terms. Eased once beaten. Presumably thought better than this?