Friendly Soul continued her impressive summer form with a front-running victory in the Sumbe Prix Alec Head at Deauville.
After winning her only juvenile start at Kempton in December, John and Thady Gosden’s filly claimed the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket upon her return. Though she disappointed as the hot favourite in the Musidora Stakes at York, Friendly Soul showed her true potential by dominating the Group Three Valiant Stakes at Ascot last month and repeating the performance at Group Two level in France.
Leading from the start, Friendly Soul stayed in front down the home straight. Despite a brief challenge from Candala, the British raider, ridden by Kieran Shoemark, held her ground, with Birthe finishing strongly to take second place ahead of Candala.
John Gosden commented to Sky Sports Racing, “She’s a very good filly. We didn’t expect the rain, so the ground was tacky and holding, which she didn’t particularly like. Nevertheless, she demonstrated her class and secured the win. She’ll perform better on good or good-to-firm ground. We’ll assess her autumn and next season’s plans, but she’s very progressive.”
Meanwhile, Double Major solidified his position as France’s top stayer with a commanding win in the Sumbe Prix Kergorlay.
Christophe Ferland’s four-year-old had an outstanding end to 2023, securing the Prix Chaudenay at ParisLongchamp during Arc weekend and claiming Group One honours in the Prix Royal-Oak.
After a couple of defeats early in the current campaign, where he finished third behind Sevenna’s Knight in May, Double Major regained his winning form in the Prix Maurice de Nieui and was a strong favourite for this one-mile-seven-furlong Group Two.
Ridden by Stephane Pasquier, Double Major took the lead immediately and accelerated from the home turn, leaving his rivals trailing. Goya Senora finished best of the rest.