BLACK-TYPE WINS FOR SHOLOKHOV, YOUMZAIN & BLUE BRESIL
HEROS D’AINAY (Sholokhov) kicked off a terrific weekend for Glenview Stud sires at Auteuil when making an impressive debut in the Listed Prix Go Ahead over hurdles.
The Gabriel Leenders-trained bay always looked the likely winner and as he strode clear in the straight, victory was never in doubt. 12 lengths was the winning margin, with a further ten lengths back to the third horse.
Bred by Stephane Milaveau, HEROS D’AINAY is owned by Ecurie Couderc, Ecurie Patrick Joubert and Haras de Saint-Voir. The son of Sholokhov is out of Etoile D’Ainay, a multiple black-type winner over fences, and herself a half-sister to three black-type winners, including Flower Des Champs (Robin Des Champs).
Shortly afterwards, the Francois Nicolle-trained LA DOIX (Youmzain) gained a deserved black-type success in the Listed Prix d’Arles, a hurdle contest for mares over two miles and two furlongs.
Last seen finishing third in a similar contest, she was reunited with Theo Chevilland to win by a head in a 1-2-3 for the Nicolle stable. The now four-time winner is owned and bred by Sarl Carion EMM out of Flavigny, a half-sister to Listed winner Feroe.
The very next day, Grade 1 winner L’AUTONOMIE (Blue Bresil) made a winning return in the Grade 2 Prix Leon Rambaud, to make it six Graded victories in a row since June 2019. She was sent off favourite for her first attempt over two miles and five and a half furlongs, and came home three lengths in front, with a further nine length back to the third horse.
Trained by Francois Nicolle for owner/breeder Catherine Coiffier, L’AUTONOMIE has won nine of her 12 career starts.
