Abdullah Al Attiyah’s Coeursamba lands victory at ParisLongchamp

Tribune News Network Doha In the colours of Abdullah bin Fahad Ah Al Attiyah, Coeursamba (The Wow Signal x Marechale) won the French Classic Poule d’Essai ...

Tribune News NetworkDohaIn the colours of Abdullah bin Fahad Ah Al Attiyah, Coeursamba (The Wow Signal x Marechale) won the French Classic Poule d’Essai des Pouliches with a showstopping acceleration at ParisLongchamp on Sunday. She was giving her trainer Jean-Claude Rouget his fifth win in this French Classic for 3-year-old fillies run over 1,600m. She was ridden by the Italian jockey Cristian Demuro. Coeursamba had a perfect race, coming up in between King’s Harlequin (Camelot x Swift Action) and the Irish runner and 1000 Guineas winner at Newmarket two weeks previously, Mother Earth (Zoffany x Many Colours), in the closing stages. She flew away in the final metres, pulling a length and a quarter clear of Mother Earth trained by AP O’Brien and ridden by Christophe Soumillon. Kennella (Kendargent x Ella Diva), who is trained in Chantilly by Nicolas Caullery took an excellent third place with Theo Bachelot in the saddle, a short head in front of Sweet Lady (Lope De Vega x High Heel Sneakers).“Steward’s enquiry in the Arc, steward’s enquiry in the Poule... indeed!” laughed Jean- Claude Rouget. “The filly was in great shape. We gave her the entire winter off and sent her to the stud. We couldn’t get her back in very early, but that didn’t worry me too much as she ran quite a lot as a 2-year-old. I picked the Prix du Louvre (Class 1) for her seasonal comeback, with orders to give her a gentle race. Everything went well for her today: a good draw, in good physical condition. She has experience, and that matters in these kinds of races. “We are very happy. It was somewhat unknown territory coming into the race, as it was a very open competition. Before the race I said to Paul Basquin (Editor’s note: racing manager for the owner) that we could be first or second, or quickly find ourselves seventh or eighth! We are very pleasantly surprised. I was surprised by the acceleration that she showed – twice! She showed double the acceleration of some very good fillies. It’s interesting for the rest of the season to come. I didn’t enter her in the Coronation Stakes (Gr1), due to the complications caused by Covid. We will see what the next step is after a discussion with her connections. I don’t think that she will run in the Prix de Diane (Gr1) as she has limited stamina, but Ascot is a possibility.” Cristian Demuro added, “You always have to have belief! We have a great run. She came back very well from her last race. Today was just a dream. I think it’s Jean-Claude Rouget that makes the difference! She stepped up to the distance really well. She accelerated brilliantly and the low draw was a definite advantage. The open stretch helped her too.” Coeursamba was bred in Normandy by Julie and Francine Mestrallet of Haras de l’Aumonerie. She was sold as a foal, before subsequently selling as a yearling the following Autumn when she was bought by her trainer, Jean-Claude Rouget. She then was presented at the boutique Arqana Arc Sale as a 2-year-old last October, at which she was aquired her owner Abdullah bin Fahad Ah Al Attiyah. By sire The Wow Signal, a top-class racehorse for Al Shaqab Racing who sadly died prematurely, she is out of the Anabaa mare Marechale, a full sister to multiple Stakes winners Maxwell and Prince Fasliyev.