Audarya Claims First Group 1 in Prix Jean Romanet

French pari-mutuel punters will be renewing their interest in Newcastle's all-weather action as, just a week after Palace Pier struck in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques le Marois (G1), they allowed another recent Gosforth Park graduate in Audarya to go off at 47-1 before storming to success in the Aug. 23 Darley Prix Jean Romanet (G1).

In defense of bewildered turfistes, Palace Pier had won at Royal Ascot in the interim while James Fanshawe had dropped Audarya down to handicap company in search of a confidence boost following a disappointing start to the campaign.

It was also another feather in the cap of Ioritz Mendizabal, who continues to profit from the faith shown in him by British trainers, and who only last month proved himself a super sub aboard Mishriff in the Prix du Jockey Club (G1). 

"She's a filly I've always loved but we were going nowhere earlier this year," said Fanshawe. "She was unlucky at Kempton and then I don't know what happened at Pontefract."

Fanshawe was adding to previous wins in the Jean Romanet with Ribbons (2014) and Speedy Boarding (2016).

"It's a race we've always loved as it's the last time the older horses can run without the 3-year-olds and we've won it twice before," he said. "But I must admit I've been walking my box the last two days wondering if I'd made a mistake."

Audarya carries the former colors of Peter Harris, which now represent his daughter Alison, the widow of Walter Swinburn.

"It's great for Alison Swinburn because she is the first nice filly she's had with us," Fanshawe added. "I put Audarya in the Prix de l'Opera (G1) this week so we'll see. We'll enjoy this first."

Audarya was bred by Francois Doumen and his wife Elizabeth at their Haras d'Ecouves.

"I was so relaxed because I never thought she would grab first place," Doumen said, "I was just looking for black type, but my goodness she behaved liked an angel all the way. Well done to James."

Favorite Nazeef briefly looked to be a threat in the straight but could not go through with her effort, and it was left to Ambition to push Audarya all the way to the line. 

"She's amazing and it was a long way back to the third," said Xavier Thomas-Demaulte, trainer of Ambition. "It hasn't been easy to get her ready in the sweltering heat down in the south west. She will go to the Opera next. She has proved she handles every type of racecourse."

Audarya Earns Second Group 1 for Sire Wootton Bassett

Audarya became the second group 1 winner for Coolmore recruit Wootton Bassett in landing Sunday's Prix Jean Romanet.

The filly denied Investec Epsom Oaks (G1) heroine Talent a first group 1 winner as a broodmare as her Dubawi daughter Ambition finished second, a neck behind.

Coolmore swooped in to buy Wootton Bassett, also the sire of European champion 3-year-old and sire Almanzor, from Haras d'Etreham recently, and he has already arrived in Fethard.

The Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Grand Criterium (G1) scorer sired three podium finishers in both French Guineas this year in the shape of Mageva, Speak of the Devil, and The Summit, with The Summit going on to finish second in the Prix du Jockey Club.

Audarya is one of 44 registered 4-year-olds by the sire conceived at a €4,000 fee in 2015, a fee which climbed to €40,000 for the latest breeding season.

Audarya was bred by Haras d'Ecouves out of the Green Tune mare Green Bananas, who also has a 2-year-old colt by Linamix stallion Polarix named Orpaill'eure. Green Bananas, out of the group 3-placed Anabaa mare Anabaa Republic, was sold privately to Haras de Saint Roch for €2,000 (US$2,120) at the 2017 Arqana February Sale.

Audarya was purchased by Stroud Coleman bloodstock for €125,000 ($147,475) at the Arqana October Yearling Sale the same year.