Plumania Denies Youmzain Saint-Cloud Victory

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Plumania survived a three-horse photo and a stewards’ inquiry to claim victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Fr-I) by a nose over Youmzain June 27. Daryakana finished third, just a neck further back.

The narrow loss continued a streak of runner-up finishes for Youmzain, whose last victory came in this same race in 2008. Youmzain has been a group I bridesmaid on seven occasions, and has finished second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) for three straight years.

Youmzain was held up at the back of the pack by jockey Richard Hughes as Pouvoir Absolu was sent to the front to dictate the pace. Plumania sat just off that runner in second, with the favorite, Daryakana, content to race in third.

The order among the leaders remained unchanged for most of the race until the field made the turn into the home straight. With three furlongs to go, Olivier Peslier went to work aboard Plumania, who appeared to cause Pouvoir Absolu to have to check slightly as she took over the lead.

Daryakana was in hot pursuit and soon joined Plumania on the front end with just over a furlong to run.  Hughes had Youmzain under a strong drive from the back, and 7-year-old horse stormed up on the outside to join the two fillies in a battle to the wire.  

Unfortunately for the gallant Youmzain, the wire came too quickly, and Plumania was just able to get her nose in front. After a lengthy stewards’ inquiry, the result remained unchanged, and the Andre Fabre-trained Plumania was awarded the victory.

Final time for the 12 furlongs was 2:34.40 over a "good to soft" course.

Plumania is a 4-year-old filly by Anabaa out of Featherquest, by Rainbow Quest. She was bred in England by her owners, the Wertheimer brothers, and hails from the female family of stakes winners Groom Dancer, Tagel, Slew the Slewor, and Legerete.