Deauville 2YO Maidens - 5th July

"Graffard again, Allez Allez". It's been a brilliant season so far for the Aga Khan stud and their principle trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. He took his 2025 tally to 87 winners (from 312 runners at 27.9%) with a fabulous 4-timer on the opening day of the summer meeting at Deauville on Saturday. The likes of Calandagan, Zarigana (ish) and Daryz may grab the headlines, but there has been a noticeable shift this season in the depth of talent coming from the yard, particularly in maiden races and this point was proven as the Graffard won both the debutantes races on Saturdays card. The phrase "the yard know how to ready one for their debut" applies perfectly this season and both Rayif and Valasara produced very professional performances to make winning starts to their careers. Here are my notes on the debutantes races from Saturday's action;

PRIX DE TANCARVILLE

2YO “Inédits” Maiden - 1,200m - Bon 3,2

1:10.25 (Finishing Speed 101.8%)

Strong early pace and still 5 or 6 in with a chance at the 2-furlong pole. The winner, Rayif is a Sea the Moon half-brother to Rayevka and shaped in a very similar fashion to his brother, taking his time to get on top of the runner-up but ultimately finishing strongly over this trip. His breeding would suggest that he will stay further than this, especially on softer ground and so he has probably exceeded expectations to win on debut (4.2 PMU SP). Supplemented for this race. As a January foal, it’s not that surprising to see that he has been given time, but he should be capable of further improvement if we get some rain.

No Remorse hasn’t lost anything in defeat and having pulled clear of the rest, he has run to level that would suggest he is more than capable of winning a maiden. His connections have given him an entry in the Prix Morny, which shows how highly they rate him. Having hit the front, he has been outstayed, but he was faster than the winner over the final 600m, running the fastest 4th furlong in the race at 11.31s. Certainly outran the 11.0 PMU SP! €62,000 yearling at Arqana (2023).

Wollemi was sent off 2.2 Fav on the PMU for Andre Fabre and Godolphin. Made some headway and was probably inconvenienced by racing away from the stands side rail. Wootton Bassett Colt, his Dam, Dark Orchid, broke her maiden tag over 1900m and was a Listed winner over a mile on good ground. Her progeny have not shown any exceptional form to date, with a record of 2-24. Shaped like he needs a stiffer test, though still showed some promise to finish within a couple of lengths of the winner.

PRIX DE LISIEUX

2YO Fillies’ “Inédits” Maiden - 1,200m - Bon 3,2

1:11.10 (Finishing Speed 105.2%)

Field split into 2 groups. Valasara definitely benefitted from racing in the stands side group. She broke smartly, running 13.72s for the opening furlong (ranked 1st). When asked for an effort, she has responded well, including the fastest furlong in the race at 10.82s (5th). Another winner for Graffard, Barzalona and the Aga Khan. Sent off 2.8 Fav on PMU. A Hello Youmzain half-sister to Valimi, her Dam is a half-sister to the Prix de Diane winner Valyra.

Repel has chased home her stablemate after racing down the centre. She held every chance, but just lacked the turn-of-foot shown by Valasara in the penultimate furlong. She had an entry at Cholet last month but has run to a “Deauville” level to finish 2nd here. She is a Juddmonte home bred, her Dam is a half-sister to Logician and she shaped like a filly who should get further in time.

Miss de Paname was towards the rear of the far side group at halfway and has rallied well, finishing 3rd having run the fastest final quarter in 22.34s. She holds entries in the Arqana races at Deauville later in the season. €75,000 yearling at Arqana (2023). She is a Persian King filly whose Dam was Listed placed over 5-furlongs. Being drawn widest in stall 9 presumably didn’t help her cause, with Ronan Thomas clearly keen to keep her covered up. Having tracked the runner-up, she has briefly moved upsides before fading in the last 50-yards. She may be able to drop back to the minimum trip.