Victoire Magique in 4th

VICTOIRE MAGIQUE ran a great race to be fourth yesterday at St Cloud in a Group 3 over 2000 metres (1m2f) in only his second career start.

The 2yo son of Victor Ludorum had won on his debut at Lyon-Parilly 24 days earlier comfortably by 1 1/2 lengths from Proof and deserved the step up  in class.

St Cloud is a racecourse similar to Newbury in that it’s a left-handed, galloping track and from a spectator’s point of view, also similar in that one can see the whole course.

Tony Piccone was on board as Christian Demuro had been claimed to ride Powai for Godolphin and Andre Fabre.

Victoire Magique in the Winner’s Enclosure

At the start, as at Lyon, Victoire Magique, missed the break and he was last until five furlongs from home, when he made a move and improved into mid-division.  He was ridden three out but was was sandwiched inside the three.  He did run on and was only beaten 3 lengths.

The horse ran well on ground which was quicker than at Lyon-Parilly but it was a shame Christian Demuro was not able to ride.  Ironically, his horse was a non-runner but French rules unlike those in England do not permit a jockey change.

Amy and the team and Solario Racing were delighted with the horse but there was a feeling of “what if?”  The bubble might have been slightly deflated but it has not been burst and as they say, we live to fight another day.

Another day could be at St Cloud on 26 October in a Group One, again over 2000 metres.  It’s the Grand Criterium, a race which often has few runners.  Last year, there were just three and the year before, just seven.  The going was Heavy and Very Soft respectively, which if similar this year, would suit Victoire Magique, or “Le Grande Homme” as he is known.

Watch this space!

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Victoire Magique with victorious connections!

SOLARIO RACING had its first ever French runner at Lyon-Parilly yesterday and it won!  This came, just five days after Sharp Distinction was winning at Kempton!

Victoire Magique, a lovely big strapping son of first season sire, Victor Ludorum, was making his debut at one of France’s best provincial tracks, Lyon-Parilly over 1200 metres (1m2f) in a 2yo conditions race.

Trained by Amy Murphy at Lamorlaye, Chantilly, he was one of eight runners, which included the odds-on favourite, Proof, trained by Christopher Head, who had been second on his debut at Deauville, beaten a short neck.  Another market leader, Feelings, trained by Francois Graffard, had been second at Chantilly and fourth at Deauville.  On paper, “The Big Man” as he is known by his trainer,  had it all to do!

Victoire Magique heading for victory

The going was officially Very Soft, which was always going to be a help.  But regarless of ground, who knows what will happen when the stalls open?

Victoire Magique was very akward at the start and was slowly away but jockey, Christian Demuro, soon manouvered him into mid-division and he travelled well throughout.

French racing can often start off at a crawl and develop into a sprint and indeed they did dawdle early on but Victoire Magique made good progress in the home straight, only suddenly to tread water but after a reminder by Christian Demuro, he took off and reeled in the leader, Proof, to win comfortably by a length and a half.  It was 2 1/2 lengths and 3 lengths back to the third and fourth.

Happy jockey, Christian Demuro

Owned by a small Solario Racing syndicate, one of the owners was there to enjoy the victory with yours truly and despite the customary French crowd being thin on the ground, that didn’t stop us both celebrating both on the course and into the night!

Bravo au grande homme!

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Sharp Distinction wins!

SHARP DISTINCTION won at Kempton Park yesterday in a 1m4f handicap under Luke Catton to the delight of his owners, Solario Racing (Berkhamsted).

The 6-y-o son of Tamayuz was winning his first race of the season but was registering his fourth career success, having won three times during the last two seasons.

The 6/1 shot, fourth in the betting, had gone close 26 days previously at Leicester on the turf, when beaten a neck also under three pound claimer, Luke Catton.  This time the pair went one better!

“Sharpie” in first place!

The plan was for Sharp Distinction, aka “Sharpie” to be fairly handy but it didn’t quite pan out like that with the chestnut gelding being in rear throughout most of the contest.  Fortunately, there was some early pace on with Dubawi Time taking a keen hold under Marco Ghiani and “Sharpie” travelled well.

Making good headway two furlongs from home, he was ridden a furlong out and ran on well inside the last half furlong to win comfortably by a length and three-quarters from the favourite, Nivelle’s Magic.

It was nothing more than “Sharpie” deserved having been a model of consistency during his career.  This year, the form book will have shown that he had lost his way a little but that doesn’t tell the whole story as he had been given quite a bit to do on occasions.

Winning Owners!

This very likeable and versatile chestnut gelding has now won on the grass over 1m6f and on the all-weather over 1m4f – 1m5f.  His previous two wins had been at Lingfield, a left-handed track but going right-handed around Kempton Park was never going to be an issue as he had been second twice and also third twice at the track in eight previous outings.  Indeed, one one occasion as a 3yo, he was beaten just a head over two miles!

Congratulations to Solario Racing (Berkhamsted) owners and also to trainer, Lemos De Souza who has had two wins from two runners for Solario Racing this year!

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Amy giving instructions at 3rd lot

AFTER racing at Chantilly on the Friday, it was time to go behind the scenes at Amy’s stables in Lamorlaye on Saturday.

Amy had arranged for the owners to be collected at the Hotel Parc du Chantilly and on arrival at the yard, we were treated to a typical French breafast with coffee, wonderful croissants and all too tempting pastries.

The historic yard was formerly the training establishment of France’s first licenced female trainer, Myrian Bollack-Badel, who started training in her 20s.  I asked Amy what took her so long to train in France!

Victoire Magique with Amy and owners

The yard is set in beautiful, quiet surroundings and the all-weather gallops are a stone’s throw away from the stables.  So, it was not too far to walk to see some of Amy’s equine stars going through their paces, including the very exciting 2yo colt by Victor Ludorum out of a Rip Van Winkle mare, Purple Magic.

The colt is owned by Solario Racing (Lamorlaye) but was as yet unnamed although the small syndicate, whose owners were all present at Chantilly had already voted on the various name suggestions.

Victoire Magique coming to his Naming Day Party

Yours truly announced the winning name which was by a narrow margin, Victoire Magique and owners and trainer toasted the horse’s name.  Then, much to the delight of everyone, particularly the trainer, Victoire Magique came to join his own Naming Day party and revelled in a photo-session… until he caught whiff of a filly and then it was time for him to retire to his box before he got other ideas!

In the afternoon, many owners visited the famous Château de Chantilly and The Great Stables, which now plays host to some superb dressage displays and is home to The Living Museum of the Horse.

Dining at Le Times

What was a fabulous time in Chantilly, culminated in a wonderful meal on Saturday evening at Le Times, when Amy joined twelve of us for a very leisurely three and a half hour meal!

What’s not to love about France and French racing…?

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Horse racing at Chantilly with the beautiful chateau in the background

SOLARIO RACING owners have just returned from a fabulous long week end in Chantilly which saw them take in top quality French racing, a wonderful visit to Amy Murphy’s fabulous stables at Lamorlaye and of course plenty of opportunities to sample French food and wine!

Twelve of us set off last Thursday on 1st May via Eurostar in glorious weather and after an effortless two and a half hour journey to Gare du Nord, we then enjoyed another equally painless overland rail journey of less than half an hour to Chantilly-Gouvieux.  Naturally, the Crémant flowed as we passed under La Manche!

The party were staying at two hotels in Chantilly, both of which were within walking distance of the local station.  After freshening up, we all met up at the Best Western Hotel Plus Parc du Chantilly, where most of the party were staying for pre-dinner drinks before enjoying a fabulous French meal at Restaurant Le Cob within the hotel.  It was the perfect end to a perfect start of our stay in Chantilly, the home of French flat racing.

Owners raise a toast at Chantilly races

The following day saw fabulous sunshine  and temperatures in the mid to high 20s as 18 of us wined and dined in the Panoramic Restaurant at Chantilly Racecourse, which like the station, was within walking distance of the hotels.

The Solario Racing numbers had swollen overnight as five others joined us for some fabuous racing at the most beautiful of racecourses and Amy hot-footed it from Newmarket, having been at Tattersalls sales the night before!

The food and wine flowed and in sweltering heat, many developed a penchant for Provence rosé!  Yours truly has had better days on the racecourse, in terms of backing winners, athough I did point out to owners, Monsieur Graffard could be a trainer to follow…he had two winners on the card!

Night life in Chantilly!

After meandering our way back to our respective hotels, we all met up at a bar in the middle of town for more sustenance, athough after such a wonderful lunch, it was more libation than gastronomic delight!

The next day, it was a a morning on the gallops at Amy Murphy’s stables at Lamorlaye…when we had a Naming Day for Solario Racing’s latest recruit…more to follow!

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Stefano Cherchi

Stefano, who was was apprenticed to Amy Murphy at Southgate Stables, went out to Australia during the break between the 2023 and 2024 turf flat seasons to gain international experence and further his career.  He rode two winners out there but on 20 March in Canberra, his mount Hasima fell and Stefano suffered what were to be life-ending injuries and he died on April 3rd 2024.

Many of the Solario Racing owners wanted to quietly remember Stefano and as one of them was unable to make Thursday 3rd April, we met up the following day.

Stefano and Amy

It was a beautifully sunny, warm morning at Newmarket and the first time owners had been to the stables since Lemos De Souza had taken over from Amy.

After seeing Emerald Downs, Sharp Distinction and the unnamed 2yo colt by Victor Ludorum on the gallops, we had pastries and a glass of fizz and toasted Stefano.  Afterwards, we went out to see the mural of Stefano which had been done last year at Amy’s Open Day, a few days after Stefano’s death.

The artwork is a lovely and totally fitting tribute to Stefano, a cheeky caricature of the young Stefano.

Solario Racing Owners with “Stefano”

We then adjourned to Stefano’s (and Solario Racing’s!) favourite restaurant in Newmarket, the Italian, Unico.  Assistant Trainer, Jade Joyce had said to me before we went to the restaurant that Stefano loved a particular shot and that it would be nice to have that shot in his memory.  The only problem was she wasn’t sure which one it was!

However, on talking to the lovely welcoming staff at Unico and after deliberating whether it was the Sardianian liquor, Mirto or the Italian brandy, Grappa, we decided on the latter.

So a few of us duly imbibed a Grappa!  Apparently, Jade has confirmed subsequently that Stefano’s tipple was indeed…Grappa!

Stefano…Amy, Lemos, Jade, stable staff, Solario Racing and all owners who knew you…we all miss you terribly but hope you would have approved of our Newmarket get-together in your memory…x

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In the Winner’s Enclosure

EMERALD DOWNS won at Kempton Park last night on his racecourse debut for Solario Racing (Ashridge) under a great ride by Frederick Larson for trainer, Lemos De Souza, for whom this was his second winner from just four runners since taking out a licence earlier this month.

Eight runners went to post for the restricted novice over seven furlongs and there was a red hot favourite, Papa Oscar, running for Juddmonte, in the famous colours of the late Prince Khalid Abdullah.

When the stalls opened, Emerald Downs, who was drawn on the outside, ducked left and Freddie lost some ground.  However, the pace was gentle and he steered him to the front after the first two furlongs, closely followed by the favourite.

Emerald Downs heading for victory!

The intention hadn’t been to lead but as there was no pace on and Freddie knew he’d stay the trip, he decided to make all.  A furlong out they were headed but to his great credit, Emerald Downs fought back near the rail and won by a head from another newcomer, Fulford Cross with Wise Stars, also a newcomer back in third.  The odds on favourite was sixth.

It is not often on the flat one sees horses being  headed and then battling back and certainly not on a racecourse debut so this was a very good performance from Emerald Downs and his tenacious will to win should stand him in good stead.

On the winner’s podium

The fully subscribed syndicate is in quarter shares but sadly, most were not on hand to see this great debut performance.  However, one couple did attend along with yours truly and his new trainer, Lemos De Souza.

What was remarkable about the win was that despite a lot transpiring against the horse (bad draw, ducking left at the start and making the running over a trip really too short) he still prevailed.

The owners have been very patient as Emerald Downs was a big, raw horse at two and just needed time to develop.  It looks as though their patience has been rewarded!

Exciting times!

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Huntingdon Hospitality

The first Sunday in March, which this year falls on Sunday 2 March, will be the first Solario Racing hospitality event of the year and it’s always a big hit with owners and guests alike.

The hospitaity package includes: Private Solario Racing Table in the Peterborough Chase Restaurant with a private balcony affording superb views of the racecourse, Champagne Reception, a sumptuous three-course lunch with fine wines, coffees and an afternoon tea.

There’s also a Solario Racing Tipster Competition and Racing Manager, Simon Double, with 30 years’ experience in the racing industry, will guide you through the seven-race card to give you…hopefully…a few winners!  Even though, he’s highly experienced and knowledgeable on the flat, he’s still given plenty of winners to guests at Huntingdon races over the years!

Huntingdon is a Jockey Club-owned racecourse and as one might expect, Solario Racing has always been impressed with the racing, the food, wine, service and warm welcome we’ve received.  This is why Solario Racing goes to Huntingdon year after year.  We love jumps racing, particularly at Huntingdon and that’s why we’re going again this year!

Places are strictly limited but if you’d like to join us, please call Solario Racing on 01442 877 597 or email info@solarioracing.com.

Sharp Distinction in the Winner’s Enclosure at Lingfield last November

Oh and if you think we just have syndicate horses on the flat…Sharp Distinction, trained by Amy Murphy in Newmarket,  is a dual-purpose horse, a three-times winner on the flat and he’s already had a first run over hurdles, where he ran a very encouraging sixth at Southwell.

There are two 1/12th shares available in this very genuine, talented and consistent 6yo gelding by Tamayuz.

Please call Simon Double at the Solario Racing office for details…and to arrange a visit to Amy’s stables at Newmarket to see him on the gallops…no obligation!

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Winning Owners!

SHARP DISTINCTION, aka “Sharpie” won his third career start yesterday and his second out of two outings at Lingfield when winning a mile and half handicap for three-year-olds and upwards under jockey Freddie Larson for Solario Racing (Berkhamsted).

Following a disappointing last time out effort at Newcastle, the first time he had tried the mile and half trip, we decided to give him another go over the same distance and Amy suggested putting blinkers on him for the first time.

Despite the woefully slow early gallop, “Sharpie” didn’t pull but travelled beautifully throughout in mid-division.  On the final bend, when the race started in earnest, Freddie Larson made his move and inside the final furlong, after a sustained duel with Switchel, he went to the front and was a shade cosy half a length winner!

Sharp Distinction heading for victory

Hardly anything has gone right for the horse this year with the ground going too soft/heavy twice at Chester and once at Goodwood, while he has had to suffer wide draws on more than one occasion.  As a result, he had dropped to a good mark and provided the drop to 1m4f wasn’t an issue (he’d won previously over 1m5f and 1m6f) then connections were hopeful of a big run.

It may have been a very cold day but the syndicate was out in force to cheer him on.  He’s such a favourite at Southgate Stables and Amy was thrilled for both horse and syndicate.

Wel done Amy for persevering with the 1m4f trip and for applying different headgear!  The trainer was on hand to saddle him up and see him give the yard its 30th domestic winner on the flat.  (There have been nine wins in France to boot).

Sharp Distinction in the Winner’s Enclosure with winning connections

Sharp Distinction is staying in training for another year but is likely to go hurdling next spring, when the ground is hopefully not too bottomless!  He’ll then resume racing on the flat.

Most of the existing syndicate owners have stayed with him and after yesterday’s great win, they’re glad they did!  However, there are two 1/12th shares available for one season, so if you wish to get involved in a three-time winner, who’s been in the prize money in 70% of his 28 starts, please do get in touch!  Contact Racing Manager, Simon Double on 01442 877 597 or email info@solarioracing.com.

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Beauhaather – son of Mohaather runs at Beverley

MOHAATHER, the brilliant winner of the 2020 Sussex Stakes, trained by Marcus Tregoning and ridden by Jim Crowley, is now a first season stallion and he had his first winner yesterday…and his second today!

The crack miler by Showcasing out of an Inchinor mare, had over 20 runners before striking with his first winner, Serving With Style, a £75,000 yearling, who won a six-runner maiden fillies’ stakes over 7f at Carlisle.

Trained by Kart Burke, who has had plenty of 2yo winners this year, the first-time out filly was ridden by Clifford Lee and justified 13/8 favouritism and won by 3/4 length.

Today, Dukes Of Haather, the first ever Mohaather runner, who was a well-backed 7th in the Brocklesby back in March and who has been third in three subsequent outings, won a 0-85 nursery at Chester under Jason Hart, again over 7f.

It was a tight six-runner contest on paper and Dukes Of Haather certainly had things tight during the race when he was squeezed up when making a move some two furlongs out.  However, his pace and previous experience told and in the end he went on to win comfortably, going away by 1 1/4 lengths.

There is no doubt, the first half of the season runs by Mohaather progeny were struggling over the 5f and 6f distances and it is clear 7f is seeing them come into their own.

The Shadwell stallion, Mohaather has another interesting horse with a pending entry, Solario Racing’s Beauhaather, who makes his nursery handicap debut over 7f at Beverley next Tuesday.

The 22,000 guineas purchase at Tattersalls as a yearling has shaped promisingly on his first three runs.  He was 6th on each occasion, over 5f on his debut and then over 6f on his next two subsequent outings.

There are limited 1/12th shares available in this exciting son of Mohaather.  Please call the Racing Office on 01442 877 597 or email info@solarioracing.com for details.

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