Tac de Boistron, Charity Line Win in Europe
Description:
Tac de Boistron delivered a career-best effort for an authoritative five-length win in the Prix Royal-Oak (Fr-I, French St. Leger) Oct. 27 at Longchamp.
Pacesetter Tres Rock Danon opened a clear lead in the straight, but Tac de Boistron charged through a gap and moved to challenge along with 2012 Carlos Pellegrini (Arg-I) winner Going Somewhere. Those two momentarily drew even as Tres Rock Danon faded, but Tac de Boistron surged powerfully to draw off in a dominant victory.
Ridden by Martin Harley for trainer Marco Botti, Tac de Boistron won as the favorite and was timed in 3:38.12 for 3,100 meters (about 1 15/16 miles) on turf rated as very soft.
The 6-year-old Take Risks gelding became the first group I winner for his sire, a 24-year-old Highest Honor horse perhaps better known for his jumpers.
Tac de Boistron entered off runner-up finish to Altano after leading early in the straight in the Prix du Cadran (Fr-I) Oct. 6 at Longchamp but emphatically rebounded. Altano was in contention 600 meters out in the Prix Royal-Oak but was soon outpaced and checked in eighth in the 15-horse field.
Owned Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, Tac de Boistron won the 2012 Prix Maurice de Nieuil (Fr-II), then was sent to Australia to contest the Melbourne Cup (Aus-I). Finishing 11th, he was returned to his Newmarket base and did not start for more than nine months. In his first start back, he finished third in the March Stakes Aug. 24 at Goodwood, then won the Stella Artois Stand Cup Sept.16 at Chester in his race prior to the Prix du Cadran.
Overall, French-bred Tac de Boistron has seven wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 32 career starts. Isabelle Reverseau bred him out of the Sicyos mare Pondiki.
Elsewhere in Europe Oct. 27, Botti's brother Stephano sent out Oaks d'Italia (Ity-II) winner Charity Line, who kept her undefeated record intact in capturing the Premio Lydia Tesio Longines (Ity-I) by a neck.
The Irish-bred Manduro filly led 300 meters out but was soon overtaken by runner-up Path Wind. Gamely battling back, Charity Line regained command and held on for the narrow win under Fabio Branca.
Charity Line, who was timed in 2:03.06 for 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles), has six wins from as many career starts for owner Effevi.
Bred by Razza Del Velino, the filly is out of the Italian stakes-winning Hernando mare Holy Moon, a half sister to 2012 Oaks d'Italia and Italian One Thousand Guineas (Ity-III) winner Cherry Collect.