Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot 2008

Sabana Perdida Captures Windsor Forest Stakes
18/06/08

1st (11) Sabana Perdida 4-1
2nd (8) Heaven Sent 9-4 Fav
3rd (6) Grecian Dancer 8-1
13 ran
Also: 16-1 Majestic Roi 4th

Jockey Christophe Lemaire brought the Alain de Royer Dupre-trained Sebana Perdida with a well-timed run to beat Heaven Sent in the final furlong of the Windsor Forest to bring a first winner for France at Royal Ascot this year.

“I was optimistic beforehand and she has a very good acceleration,” said de Royer Dupre. “Last year she was always pulling and too fresh but she’s not the same now. She is much better this year and really coming to herself.

“I deliberately took time between her last run and today because she is a very light filly.

“She may go for the Prix D’Astarte, a Group 1 at Deauville (on August 3), but needs to have her ground, she wants it good. She is a tough filly and I always thought she could stay a mile and maybe further.”

Lemaire added: “It was fantastic. The filly was very, very generous because she came at the end to catch the leader, who was maybe a length in front and I knew the English horses were very strong, very tough. She deserves this win.

“The mile for my filly is maybe the furthest she can go and I thought it would be very difficult but she’s made it. It’s fantastic for the team and thank you to Monsieur de Royer-Dupre, he’s done a great job.

“I am sorry for Ryan Moore (on the runner-up Heaven Sent) but his time will come.”

This was Lemaire’s first Royal Ascot winner at Ascot although he rode Chineur to victory in the 2005 King’s Stand Stakes when the meeting was held at York.

HEAVEN SENT TEAM EYE FALMOUTH STAKES

Cheveley Park Stud director Chris Richardson pointed the way to the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket on July 9 for Windsor Forest runner-up Heaven Sent.

The five-year-old mare looked set to scoop the spoils when hitting the front over a furlong out.

But she was reined in close home by Sabana Perdida and ultimately went down by three parts of a length.

Richardson said: “She has run a fantastic race and just emptied out in the last 100 yards. Take nothing away from the winner, who liked the ground. Maybe a drop of rain might have suited us.

“We’ve put her in the Falmouth Stakes and we’ll give that serious consideration if she comes out of this race fine.”

There was no fairytale end to the paddocks-bound Grecian Dancer’s career. But she still signed off with a top effort, finishing third.

Her trainer Charles O’Brien said: “I think she’s run a really great race.

“She was squeezed for room at a crucial stage and it cost her a length or so but I’m not sure it’s not made much difference to the final result. She is in foal and is off to the paddock tomorrow.”

Mick Channon, trainer of fourth-placed Majestic Roi, said: “I’m thrilled with that especially as she was giving them 5lb. She has taken a long time to come to hand this year but we’ve pretty much got her right now. Will we give consideration to the Falmouth? Absolutely!”

Sabana Perdida

Breeder: Musaed Abo Salim
Breeding: b m Cape Cross (IRE) - Capriola (USA) (Mr Prospector (USA))

Winning trainer:- Alain de Royer-Dupre
Based: Chantilly, France Date of Birth: 24/09/44; Background: Father served as an officer at the National Stud. Alain spent eight years learning how to train racehorses at Madame Couturie’s Haras du Mensil in the Sarthe, where he became a permit holder and rode as an amateur rider. Obtained his first public training licence in 1972, starting off with three jump horses and some yearlings, including Blanc Nez, who would become his first winner. Moved to Chantilly in 1981 and was given 150 of the Aga Khan’s horses two years later, becoming his main trainer in France following the retirement of Francois Mathet. Alain won the first ever Breeders’ Cup Turf in 1984 with Lashkari. French Classic Winners: Prix du Jockey Club (1984 Darshaan, 1985 Mouktar, 1987 Natroun, 2003 Dalakhani, 2006 Darsi), Prix de Diane Hermes (1993 Shemaka, 1997 Vereva, 1998 Zainta, 1999 Daryaba, 2008 Zarkava), Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (1984 Masarika, 1998 Zalaiyka, 2007 Darjina, 2008 Zarkava), Poule d’Essai des Poulains (1996 Ashkalani, 1997 Daylami, 1999 Sendawar) Other Major races won: Britain: Emirates Airline Champion Stakes (2006 Pride), St James’s Palace Stakes (1999 Sendawar) France: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2003 Dalakhani), Grand Criterium (1986 Danishkada), Grand Prix de Paris (1985 Sumayr, 1995 Valanour), Prix d’Astarte (2006 Mandesha), Prix d’Ispahan (2000 Sendawar, 2008 Sageburg); Prix de l’Opera (2006 Mandesha); Prix du Cadran (1999 Tajoun); Prix du Conseil de Paris (2004 Pride, 2006 Daramsar); Prix du Moulin (1996 Ashkalani, 1999 Sendawar, 2007 Darjina); Prix Ganay (1991 Kartajana, 1996 Valanour, 1998 Astarabad, 1999 Dark Moondancer), Prix Lupin (2003 Dalakhani), Prix Morny (1997 Charge D’Affaires); Prix Royal-Oak (1998 Tiraaz), Prix Saint-Alary (1989 Behera, 1998 Zainta, 2008 Belle Et Celebre), Prix Vermeille (1983 Sharaya, 1986 Darara, 1999 Daryaba, 2006 Mandesha), Prix Astarte (2007 Darjina) Germany: Preis von Europa (1985 Sumayr), Grosser Mercedes Benz Preis (1991 Kartajana); Italy: Derby Italiano (1990 Houmayon); Vittorio di Capua (2007 Linngari) United States: Breeders’ Cup Turf (1984 Lashkari) Number of Royal Ascot Wins (2): St James’s Palace Stakes (June 15, 1999, Sendawar), Windsor Forest Stakes (2008 Sabana Perdida) Wins in Britain in 2008: 2

Winning Jockey: Christophe-Patrice Lemaire
Date Of Birth: May 20, 1979 Background: Son of legendary jump jockey Patrice Lemaire, and joined pony club as a child. Gained gentleman-rider licence at 16, and started working part-time for trainer Michel Laborde, while continuing his studies. Hired as an apprentice by Andre Fabre when 18, turning professional two years later. Spent winter of 1999/2000 racing for the Godolphin stable in Dubai, and left Andre Fabre’s completely in July 2001, becoming freelance. Raced for Patrick Biancone in US before riding 30 winners in India in late 2002, spending the following winter racing in japan. First Group winner was in August 2002, when he partnered Cut Quartz to victory in the Prix de Kergorlay at Deauville. Now rides for a variety of trainers in France, but particularly associated with Pascal Bary and Alain de Royer-Dupre English Classic Wins (1): stanjamesuk.com 1000 Guineas (2008 Natagora) Group One Wins: Prix Marcel Boussac (2003 Denebola), Grand Prix de Paris (2003 Vespone), Prix Jean Prat (2003 Vespone), Prix Morny (2004 Divine Proportions), Prix Marcel Boussac (2004 Divine Proportions), Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (2005 Starcraft), Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (2005 Divine Proportions), Prix de Diane Hermes (2005 Divine Proportions), Prix d’Astarte (2005 Divine Proportions), Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (2005 Starcraft), Arina Kinen (2005 Heart’s Cry), Dubai Sheema Classic (2006 Heart’s Cry), Grand Prix de Saint Cloud (2006 Pride), Emirates Airline Champion Stakes (2006 Pride, 2007 Literato), Prix Saint-Alary (2007 Coquerelle), Cheveley Park Stakes (2007 Natagora), Prix Saint-Alary (2008 Belle Et Celebre) Royal Ascot Wins (2): Windsor Forest Stakes (2008 Sabana Perdida); King’s Stand Stakes (2005 Chineur) Wins in Britain (2005-2007): 2; 1; 2; Wins in Britain This Season: 3