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!
