Alpine Rose took command with two furlongs left and withstood the late challenge of Lady Marian to notch her first group I victory, taking the Darley Prix Jean Romanet (Fr-I) by a short head at Deauville Aug. 23.
Sent off as the favorite after her strong second to Spanish Moon in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Fr-I) June 28, Alpine Rose made the most of her return to the filly and mare division, powering home under a strong ride by Gerald Mosse to capture her second stakes victory.
La Boum made a belated move to take third, finishing three lengths behind Lady Marian. Final time for the ten furlongs was 2:05.50 over the 'good' turf course.
Conditioned by Alain de Royer-Dupre for owners Ecurie des Monceaux, Skymarc Farm, and the Moussac family, Alpine Rose has now improved her record to four wins from 10 lifetime starts.
Alpine Rose is a 4-year-old gray daughter of Linamix, out of the Shirley Heights’ mare Fragrant Hill. She is a full sister to champion Fragrant Mix, who captured the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in 1998. Alpine Rose was bred in France by His Highness the Aga Khan’s Studs S.C.
Arcano Impressive in Prix Morny
Earlier in the day, Arcano remained undefeated and set a new course and stakes record when getting up in the final strides to take the Darley Prix Morny (Fr-I) for 2-year-olds over Special Duty.
Purchased privately by Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum after his last start -- a victory in the TNT July Stakes (Eng-II) at Newmarket -- Arcano accelerated powerfully under Richard Hills to edge past Special Duty by a short neck in the final strides.
Heavy favorite Canford Cliffs had every chance, but ran on at one pace to take third, another neck further back.
Final time for the six furlong contest was 1:07.90, which clipped two full seconds off the race record and a full second off of the course record.
Trainer Brian Meehan was understandably delighted after the race, telling the Racing Post, “It's a tremendous win because it's his first for his new owner. He's still a baby and is immature and wants stepping up in trip.
“All options are open to him,” continued Meehan.
Arcano is a bay colt by Oasis Dream, out of Tariysha, by Daylami. He was bred in Ireland by Yellow Bird Syndicate.