Justify Filly Wins G2 Robert Papin
It’s been a super weekend for Australia’s soon to be crowned champion first season sire Justify, whose star filly Ramatuelle (2f Justify x Raven's Lady, by Raven's Pass) thrashed the colts to win the Group II Prix Robert Papin (1200m) at Chantilly on Sunday.
Ramatuelle was the third juvenile stakes-winner on the weekend for Justify with undefeated colt City of Troy winning the Group II Superlative Stakes (7f) in explosive style, while in Canada talented filly Living Magic won the Listed My Dear Stakes (5 ½ f) at Woodbine.
Trained by Christopher Head and ridden by Aurelien Lemaitre, Ramatuelle was sent favourite following her super impressive last start win in the Group III Prix du Bois and was able to repeat the performance.
She ran right away from the Aidan O’Brien trained No Nay Never colt His Majesty to win by four lengths clocking 1.09.55.
“She is so good, she behaves like an older filly and is a true professional already,” said Christopher Head.
“She is not the most physically impressive filly, but it is the engine that matters most. I am very lucky to train her and very grateful to the partners. I don't really know if she will stay further, but that's not the point at the moment. We shall now concentrate on the Prix Morny (G1 on August 20) and will do our best to get her there in great shape. It is another very exciting challenge.”
Bred by Yeguada Centurion SLU, Ramatuelle was sold as a yearling at the Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale for 100,000 euros and runs for a syndicate that includes Infinity Nine Horses, the bloodstock investment business of NBA All Star Tony Parker.
“It was a great win and I'm very happy for the whole team. Her number one quality is her calmness. She's been super calm every time I have come to see her and she looks like she knows exactly what she's going to do,” said Tony Parker.
“The coach has done a great job, we have a plan and we're sticking to it. It was her third race here and she's very comfortable on this track. Now it's on to the Prix Morny next month.”
With three wins and a second from four starts, Ramatuelle is the first winner for multiple Group winning sprinter Raven’s Lady, rated the Champion German Sprinter of 2018. By Raven’s Pass, she comes from the family of Group I winner Best of the Bests and high class Group winning stayer Prince of Arran.
Ramatuelle is one of 15 stakes-winners for Justify, who returns to Australia this spring at a fee of $77,000.