01.10.2020

PRIX NEVADOUR: Artémis takes the scalp of Lady Princess

LA TESTE-DE-BUCH (FR), AUGUST 14^th, 2020

Gr1 PA - 4-year-olds - Fillies - 1,900m (9 1/2f) - €20,000

Artémis (Azadi) can cherish a Group PA victory… as it was gained at the main expense of a prestigious rival! Ridden with kid gloves by Olivier Peslier, the rider waited until the last moment before pulling the rabbit out of the hat, as the representative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani came through to deny Lady Princess (General) in the latter stages of the Prix Nevadour (Gr3 PA).

Peslier excels. On a track rated as soft, Dihya de Monlau (Nizam) cut out the donkey work. Making her comeback appearance, Lady Princess sat on the tail of the pacesetter, whereas the future winner languished towards the rear. At the business end, Lady Princess kicked for home early and she briefly got her nose in front. However, that was counting without Peslier who played his hand to perfection. Having tracked the favourite, he delayed his challenge for as long as possible before moving his mount into overdrive. Consequently, Artemis cruised into the lead 50m from the wire before going a length and a half clear. The runner up Lady Princess was noted changing legs in the shadow of the post. Meethag (Dahor de Brugère) ran a brave race in third after racing prominently throughout.

An important victory. Lady Princess had dominated Artémis when they clashed last season in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches (Gr1 PA). However, the latter was coming off a second in the Qatar Derby des 4ans (Gr1 PA), when she took on the ‘boys’, and the filly came into the Gr3 PA feature with an extra race under her belt. Élisabeth Bernard, the winning trainer, said: "Such victories quickly cause you to forget the worries of everyday life! Artémis is a filly which holds a special place in my heart. I have ridden her out daily for a year and a half now. I’ve always rated her very highly. I was very disappointed when she got beaten at Saint-Cloud last year. I’m really over the moon today and specially as I didn’t believe that she would beat the filly of Thomas Fourcy. However, 'Magic Peslier' turned up today and my filly was on fire. When your own particular stable is in the doldrums, the doubts set-in. It gives you a lift and it can invigorate you. I’m very happy as these colours are particularly important to me, as the Sheikh invests a lot in the sport and sends a lot of PA horses into training in France. He is very happy to have won this race. The racing manager even told me that the buzz of winning this exceeded that of landing the Arc de Triomphe!"

Out of a very good mare. Artemis was bred by Haif Mohammed Al Ghatani and Haseg at the Haras de Gouffern. Consigned by the Haras de Saubouas, she was a €120,000 buy back at the Arqana PA sales in 2018.

She’s a daughter of the outstanding sire Azadi (Darike) and the latter is based at the Haras de Thouars. The dam Ocyrrhoe (Al Nasr) made her mark in the French Arabian Breeders' Challenge-Pouliches de 4ans (Gr1 PA). The grandam Dalina des Fabries (Dormane) was runner-up in the Abu Dhabi International Stakes (Gr1 PA), and she is also the grandmother of

Fazza Al Khalediah (Jalnar Al Khalidiah), the Qatar Arabian World Cup winner and Dubai Kahayla Classic (Grs1 PA) second. Dalina des Fabries was a full sister of Falina des Fabries (Dormane), the Abu Dhabi International Stakes (Gr1 PA) heroine.

PRIX NEVADOUR

Gr3 - 4-year-olds - Females - 1,900m - €20,000

1st         ARTÉMIS (56) F4

(Azadi & Ocyrrhoé, by Al Nasr)

Owner: H.H. Sheikh M. Bin Khalifa Al Thani

Breeders: Haseg & H. M. Al Ghatani

Trainer: Mrs J.-F. Bernard

Jockey: O. Peslier

Arqana, Saint-Cloud, vente de pur sang-arabes 2018, €130,000 Saubouas (bought back)

2nd        LADY PRINCESS (58) F4

(General & Nacrée Al Maury, by Kesberoy) Owner: Sheail Bin Khalifa Al Kuwari

Breeders: E.A.R.L. Champ Gignoux & Ms E. Bellaud

Trainer: T. Fourcy

Jockey: J. Augé

3rd        MEETHAG (57) F4

(Dahor de Brugère & Al Nachmiya, by Azadi) Owner & breeder: Al Shaqab Racing

Trainer: T. Fourcy

Jockey: J. Cabre

Other runner(s) in finishing order: Um Taj, Ryme Al Cham, Almajdah, Min'ha, L'Eau

Enchantée, Qamriyah & Dihya de Monlau. All ran (10).

(Good to soft) 2'12"22. Distances: 1 1/2 - 1 - NECK.