Quisisana Springs Upset in Prix Jean Romanet
Quisisana could be the surprise invite to European racing’s biggest party after earning a free supplementary entry for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) with a quietly devastating display under Christophe Soumillon in the Prix Jean Romanet (G1) Aug. 23.
Beforehand, Francis Graffard had made plain how the 5-year-old’s challenge for the group 1 at Longchamp in October was a year behind schedule after she had suffered an injury in her final gallop before the 2024 edition.
And with Haras de la Perelle owner Jurgen Winter present to witness his homebred heroine justify his and Graffard’s perseverance, the trainer described the win as “a victory for patience and sacrifice”.
Graffard said: “I’ve always adored her. I’ve made a fair few difficult phone calls to her owner, always with a bit of a broken heart.
“I was sure she’d win this race last year, but she always had a small hold-up here and there. I was very frustrated we had to stop her campaign and I pushed Monsieur Winter hard to keep her in training this year, because I felt she was yet to achieve what her talent deserved.
“This year she won in listed company and once again I focused on this race. She’s a really good mare. She’ll get 12 furlongs no problem and I don’t think soft ground will bother her. The only issue is whether I can keep her healthy. Every day I cross my fingers.
“I’m delighted for Monsieur Winter, who is so passionate about this sport and has an unbelievable breeding program. No matter the bad news, he always supported me and was never difficult to deal with, however disappointed he was. It’s a victory for patience and self-sacrifice.”
Informed of the new ‘win and you’re in’ status the Romanet carries as part of France Galop’s ‘Arc Races’ series, Graffard said: “She’s entered in the Prix de l’Opera but not the Arc because she wasn’t back in work when the race closed.
“So it’s great news, she’ll run in the Arc! I’ll talk to the owner and jockey, but she’s won her group 1 now and, given my other horses (geldings Calandagan and Goliath) don’t have the right to run, why not?”
Survie backed up her excellent third to Whirl and Kalpana at the Curragh when sweeping down the outside to claim second under Stephane Pasquier, having been almost last turning in.
Joint-trainer Nicolas Clement said: “The filly has run like a champion. She has an enormous heart and gives everything.
“Unfortunately, we were done no favors by the draw and she was quite a long way back when the race started in earnest. When you look at the sectionals, Survie has finished fastest of all.”
Clement added: “I think she stays further and the Royallieu and the Arc are both options we’ll discuss with the owners. The real question mark is over the Vermeille, which is only a fortnight away.”
Cinderella’s Dream appeared to hold every chance but was even pipped for third by Grand Stars , while Ryan Moore must wonder when Bedtime Story ‘s luck will change.
Drawn out of the race in the Prix de Diane (G1) and then left behind after the flag-start in the Nassau Stakes (G1), here she looked ready to play a major part but got no run up the rail and finished full of running in fifth.
Graffard has no such worries; as the trainer of Diane winners Gezora and Quisisana, he has played his way into the Arc twice now with fillies not originally entered.
