Amy greeting Victoire Magique at Chantilly

DEAUVILLE in August!  One of life’s bucket list items if you love top quality European horse racing, if you love being by the sea or if you just love being in the one of the most chic places in France in THE month of the year…August!

Solario Racing’s owners are going to have the chance to achieve all three!

Victoire Magique has been entered for the Prix Michel Houyvet, a Listed race on Saturday 8 August at Deauville over 3000 metres.  There are 12 initial entries and Victoire is the highest rated on 102.

Amy’s horses are in great form.  She has had 6 winners in the last 14 days at a 37% strike rate.  Let us hope this rich vein of form continues into next week end!

Amy and Simon after coming 2nd at Chantilly

Whatever happens, “Victoire Magique” has been a sensational horse for Solaro Racing.  He has run nine times, three times as a 2yo and six times as a 3yo and won twice, been second three times, including in a Group 3 at Chantilly.

A 40,000 guineas purchase at Tattersalls, Book Three in 2024, he has earned over 90,000 euros in prize money, which includes the wonderful 75% French-bred premiums.  These premiums are awarded to French-bred horses when they win or are placed as 2yos and 3yos.

Deauville is a fabulous place to be in August and I was very fortunate to see Hearts Of Fire win the Listed Prix Francois Boutin on 16 August 2009 by five and a half lengths.  He was a horse I spotted at the Doncaster Yearling Sales in 2008 when with Pat Eddery Racing.  We paid £13,000 for him and he won over £325,000 and was sold for over £550,000 at Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale in 2010, then the third highest price at that sale.

So can Victoire Maqique spead some stardust at Deauville, some 17 years later?

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Victoire Magique battling with Space Waltz

VICTOIRE MAGIQUE was a magnificent runner-up yesterday in a Group 3, the Prix du Lys Longines, over 2400 metres (1m4f) at Chantilly on Prix de Diane Day, one of the biggest days of the year in French racing!

He was running just six days after winning at Lyon D’Angers which wasn’t really anticipated but as the race was looking as though it was going to cut up from the original 22 entries, Amy and I decided to take our chance as we were guaranteed prize money and if we could finish in the first three in a Group race, we’d have much sought after black type! In the end, there were just four runners!

Happy owners and trainer before the action!

It was a wonderfully warm day at Chantilly and as we were in the last of nine races, we had plenty of time to enjoy the generous and excellent French hospitality laid on for owners of horses throughout the card.  The Champagne and excellent wine flowed and the food was superbe!

Many of Amy’s staff were at the course, all dressed beautifully for this most chic of French racing occasions.  All we needed was for Victoire, the outsider of four, to get in the first three!

However, before his chance to achieve that, Amy also had two other runners at the course, both in the opener, a 5 /1/2 furlong 2yo maiden for horses who hadn’t run before.  Dream Of Glory was third, beaten just 3/4 length while Wonder Baileys was sixth, beaten 6 1/2 lengths after an interuppted passage.  So, not a bad start to the afternoon on the French equivalent of Oaks Day!

Victoire Magique heading for second in a Group 3

So, the ninth and last race on the card and Victoire was sent off the 17/2 outsider of the party under new jockey but a former three-times French champion jockey, Pierre-Charles Boudot as Cristian Demuro had decided to ride Chamali.  The ground was Good to Firm, the fastest he had ever encountered!

It was Chamail who made the running with Victoire in close attendance in second.  After the bend into the home straight, Victoire made a move and did hit the front but the second favourite, Space Waltz had the move covered and passed him to assert in the last 200 metres, winning by 3 1/2 lengths.  However, we were 7 lengths clear of the third, the favourite, Rumoriste and it was another 11 lengths back to the fourth horse, Chamili, ridden by…Cristian Demuro!

The team was ecstatic so much so that Amy managed to stumble in her exuberant excitment when Victoire hit the front and sprained her ankle!   However, she wasn’t going to let that stop her celebrating with Solario Racing owners and staff!

Celebration Time!

It was a fabulous day and we all partied into the night at the racecourse before adjourning to a local hostelrie near the stables at Lamorlaye!

Well done to Amy Murphy for superb race planing!

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Victoire Magique crossing the line at Lion D’Angers

VICTOIRE MAGIQUE won his second race of his career and his first as a 3yo when slamming his rivals by three lengths and more at Angers yesterday for Solario Racing.

Stepping up to 3000 metres or 1m7f for the first time, the going was officially good to soft and the horse was running at the Angers or Lion D’Angers as it is officially known for the second time in his career, having been second at the track as a 2yo on his third and final start of the year.

Victoire with Amy, Cristian Demuro and stable lass Hannah Boult

Cristian Demuro was again in the saddle, riding him for the fifth time in eight starts and he gave him a beautiful ride.  There was at last a proper pace on, something often lacking in his previous race and Cristian had him settled in fourth position for most of the race until making his move on the final bend.

The favourite, Derawar, owned by the Aga Khan Studs and trained by Francois Graffard had been in second for much of the race but was soon in trouble as Cristian and Victoire kicked for home soon after the final bend, putting daylight between them and the rest of the field.

Racing Manager bonding with the victorious Victoire Magique

Once they went for home it was all over and as Victoire was eased down by Cristian, it was three lengths back to the runner-up and 7/2 second favourite, Nabab’K, with a further length and a quarter back to the third horse, Crystal Bay.  The hot 6/4 favourite was beaten five and a half lengths into fifth place.

Amy had made the four hour trip to the track and arrived around ten minutes before the off but in time to watch the victory and celebrate with yours truly.

It was fabulous to see the horse return back to winning ways and clearly the step up in trip and the proper gallop suited him.

The prize money was over 17,500 euros, which as ever included 75% French-bred premium!

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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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