No Nay Never Filly Follows Up In Group 2

Les Pavots (2f No Nay Never - Sparrow, by Oasis Dream) continued her rise through the juvenile ranks when recording a second consecutive Stakes success in the Group 2 Prix du Calvados at Deauville.

An impressive debut winner in May, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained filly won a Listed race on her first step up to seven furlongs last time out and remained at that trip on Saturday. Settled at the back of the field by Mickael Barzalona, she began to make headway after the two furlong pole and was ridden approaching the final furlong. Running on well, she led from 100 yards out and went on to score by a length and a quarter, while previous Group 3 winner Laulne (Starspangledbanner) took third.

“She is a talented filly and improving with every race,” Graffard later said. “She is in the Marcel Boussac and that is a logical next step, but we also have in mind to take her to the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita.”

“She really lacks nothing,” delighted co-owner Craig Bernick added. “She's a beautiful filly with a great pedigree and now she's a Group 2 winner in her two-year-old year in Deauville. We're just over the moon to have her.”

Bernick owns Les Pavots with Haras d’Etreham, having been purchased privately from breeder Coolmore Stud as a yearling. The half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Sir Dragonet (Camelot) led a fine day for No Nay Never, with Array (2c No Nay Never - Joyeuse, by Oasis Dream) running out an impressive winner at Newmarket.

Andrew Balding’s charge finished second on debut, before being narrowly denied by the well-regarded Mansa Musa (Ten Sovereigns) in a hot maiden at Goodwood. Sent off favourite on Saturday, the bay made all the running in the six furlong contest and was shaken up to draw clear approaching the final furlong. Success never looked in doubt, as he was eased down to score by four and a quarter lengths under David Probert.

Speaking after the race, Anna Lisa Balding said, “That was like a piece of work for Array. He won everywhere bar the line at Goodwood last time and it was nice for him to get a win on the board. He has some nice entries and a big future.”

The Juddmonte homebred holds entries in next month’s Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes and Group 1 Middle Park Stakes.