This week we look at Japans sizeable Arc challenge whilst there is also news on plans for some of the top jumpers who will return to action this season.
Flat
Last Sunday at Deauville Japanese stayer Stay Foolish launched his campaign towards the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr1) finishing a solid second in the Grand Prix de Deauville (Gr2). For the 'Arc' Christophe Lemaire will partner him. Currently there are four Japanese horses vying for a start in the race. Japanese Derby winner (in record time) Do Deuce will arrive at the end of this week and will compete in the Prix Niel (Gr2) with Yutaka Take taking the ride. Deep Bond will go directly to the Arc. He is set to arrive in France 10 September and is to be ridden by Yuga Kawada (currently the leading jockey in Japan). The other Japanese runner is Titleholder. He will not be leaving Japan until September 16 and is to be partnered in the Arc by Kazou Yokoyama.
Recent Deauville winner Sea La Rosa is aiming for the Prix de Royallieu (Gr1) over 2800m at Longchamp on 1 October.
Winner in July at Goodwood of the Vintage Stakes (Gr2), Marbaan will be set for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1) at Longchamp. Whilst other contests had been considered, he will be following a similar path to Angel Bleu who won both events without a further race in-between.
Coralie Pacaut and Théo Bachelot were the two French jockey representatives competing at World All-Stars Jockey's challenge on the island of Hokkaido at Sapporo in Japan last weekend.
Bordeaux Languedoc Derby Listed winner, Night Endeavor has officially been notified as being exported from France to Australia. Originally trained by Jérôme Reynier his new Australian trainers will be Ciaran Maher and David Eustace. The horse has entries in both the Melbourne Cup and the Caulfield Cup (Gr1).
Trotting
Jack Tonic won the Yearling Cup (G3) at Vincennes on Saturday. Trained by Thierry Duvaldestin and driven by his son Théo, he recorded a time of 1'14"7. To date he holds a good record of ten starts for six wins and now a Group race. In the sales ring he was bought back for €8000 and later sold to Haras des Quatre Vents. By Charly du Noyer for the breeder, Sylvie Thourain-Garçon who has only the one broodmare, he is the first foal of Class of Touchyvon and has a half-brother Kashmire Tonic by Ni Ho Ped d'Ombrée who qualified at Caen to race in May. There is a yearling colt by Orlando Vici who is to be presented at the Arqana Trot sales, also trained by Thierry Duvaldestin and piloted by his son Théo,
With the win of Kana de Beylev at Cabourg last Friday recording a time of 1'16''5 (the same time only for his qualification) this gave Express Jet his first winner as a stallion.
Benjamin Rochard recorded his 100th winner of the season at Vincennes last Wednesday when Joyeux Leo won the final race on the card. Last year his winners tally totalled 101.
Alexis Collette confirmed himself to be one of the up-and-coming drivers in France after driving three horses to victory at Graignes last Saturday. This was his second treble in a fortnight while managing a double the previous week. Over the course of the season, he has driven 56 winners to date. His total for 2021 was 50.
Jumping
Absent from the Prix Alain du Breil (Gr1) after having won the Prix de Pépinvast (Gr3), Ine Anjou (Balko) is set to return this autumn. Trainer Mathias Solier has indicated there are to be two prep races, the Prix de Maisons-Laffitte and Pierre de Lassus, followed by the ultimate target of the Prix Renaud du Vivier (Gr1).
Absent since finishing third in the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (Gr1), L'Autonomy has resumed with prework and is expected to return to the stables of François Nicolle during the coming three weeks.
