At Chantilly on Tuesday the yard celebrated a 1-2 in the fillies’ newcomers race with POURQUOI PAS and BAMBITA, followed shortly after by a Listed victory with the 3yo colt MACHETE!

 

In the Prix de la Serpentine (3yo fillies, Newcomers, 1,900m) POURQUOI PAS, in the colours of Anne-Marie Hayes, had to dig deep to hold off her stablemate BAMBITA, who is owned by Rashit Shaykhutdinov in a thrilling finish. 

Bambita took the lead in the race under Maxime Guyon, with Cristian Demuro dropping in with POURQUOI PAS on her heels. She tracked her stablemate along the rail throughout the race until 400m from the line when BAMBITA kicked for home. POURQUOI PAS came to join her with 100 meters left to run, and the two fillies battled to line with POURQUOI PAS crossing in front by a neck.

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Bred at Brendan and Anne-Marie Hayes’ Knocktoran Stud, POURQUOI PAS is by Dark Angel (Acclamation) and out of the Gr3 winner Peut Etre (Whipper), dam of Al Maktoum Challenge R3 (Gr1, 2.000m) winner Hypothetical (Lope de Vega). She is from the family of Précieuse, who won the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr1) for the Hayes and Fabrice in 2017.

 

Just a few hours later, it was the turn of MACHETE, owned and bred by Rashit Shaykhutdinov, to fly the flag for the stable in the competitive Prix Maurice Caillault (Listed, 1,800m). This was his third outing of 2022, having finished 3rd in January on this track over 1,600m followed by a win last time out at Deauville over 1,900m. Ridden by Stephane Pasquier, he initially sat towards the rear on the rail, and was a little keen in running. Once in the straight, his rivals shut the door on him, and he found himself caught on the rail behind a wall of four horses with little opportunities coming his way. MACHETE showed great professionalism to come through a tight space between horses, followed by a smart acceleration to storm to a 2-length win in the final 50 meters. Following this convincing performance, Group level now beckons.

Bred by his owner at Haras du Mezeray, MACHETE is out of the listed winning Maid to Believe (Galileo), who has already produced a Stakes performer with Maid to Remember (Redoute's Choice), 2nd in the Pride Stakes (L, 2.000m), and 3rd in the Hoppings Stakes (Gr3, 2.000m P.S.F.).