Breeders’ Cup On Radar for Ramatuelle After G1 Prix de la Foret
Ramatuelle (3f Justify x Raven’s Lady, by Raven’s Pass) won her first Group I in style on Sunday with a three-length victory in the Group I Prix de la Foret.
Making her first start since finishing third in the Group I Coronation Stakes in June, Ramatuelle raced keenly just behind the leader early in the six-furlong turf race. Convinced to calm down when moved back farther in the field, the filly was angled around horses with just over a furlong left to go and quickly targeted the leader.
It didn’t take long for last year’s top French juvenile to fly to the front and win by three lengths for her third career group victory. The win was a breakthrough for Ramatuelle, who had finished in the top three in three Group Is before Sunday.
"I will remember that forever," said Ramatuelle's trainer Christopher Head. "I love this filly, she's been courageous all season and she's just coming back today – it's mad. It was time she deserved a crown because she's such a queen. Aurelien [Lemaitre] is such a good jockey and he gave her a great ride."
Ramatuelle is owned by Infinity Nine Horses, Ecurie des Monceaux, Hollymount Stud France, Chun Wai Kwok, Ilse Smits, Arthur Hoyeau, and Clement Tropres.
The Yeguada Centurion-bred has finished in the top two in all seven of her starts. It looks likely she’ll head to the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Mile from here, a race her trainer’s father Freddy Head won three times.
Ramatuelle is the first named foal out of German champion Raven’s Lady, who is a granddaughter of Group III winner Sueboog. That mare produced Group I winner Best of the Bests and the dam of multiple group winner and multiple Group I placed Prince Of Arran among others.
Ramatuelle is the seventh worldwide Grade I winner for Justify, whose Group I winners have come in three different countries. He is the sire of 37 stakes winners and 66 stakes performers overall.