Rossi Prepares to Bid Farewell to Tiger Tanaka

There will be an emotional occasion Nov. 30 for young French trainer Charley Rossi, whose first star filly Tiger Tanaka  is among the jewels to go through the ring at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale.

The member of a rising family dynasty, whose brother Cedric produced Sealiway  to win the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1), Charley Rossi staked his own claim a year ago by landing the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac-Criterium des Pouliches (G1) with the daughter of Clodovil .

Tiger Tanaka rose all the way up from basement claiming company to first take the Prix Francois Boutin (G3) in 2020 and then the major juvenile event on Arc weekend, with Rossi's partner Jessica Marcialis becoming the first female jockey to win a group 1 in France. The filly was given a classic preparation but has not appeared since running in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (G1) in May.

"It's a strange feeling, but I'll stand by the ring with patience," said Rossi, who is spending a few days in Newmarket. "If she gets a good price, it's OK, if she doesn't she'll go home and breed, and hopefully I will get to train the baby."

"She's had a beautiful season, she had a problem in a leg earlier in the year and it was finished for her, but she merits the respect.

"She's the first horse for me to win a group 1, it was fantastic. An emotional moment but a very important one for me and my wife."

Rossi found Tiger Tanaka after she won a claimer for Marc Pimbonnet at Lyon in June, and she retired as the winner of almost €250,000.

The filly, who was bred by Kellsgrange Stud and first bought for €6,500 (US$7,164) by Pascale Menard at the 2019 Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale is being offered by her subsequent owner Miguel Castro Megias through the Rossis' Haras de la Cour Blanche operation as Lot 1822.

"When I bought her in a claimer, I saw a bit of potential but after that, she changed a lot," he recalled. "I returned in another claimer because the owner hadn't won the race for a long time, but after that, I knew she could win a good race. I didn't think she'd be a fantastic horse, but she's shown me she's a very good girl.

"The owner is very happy with her but it's the game, you need to make the money to continue."