Verglas stallion Stormy River has sired another winner with a black-type potential at Deauville.
His lightly-raced 3yo Chancellor (Fr) spreadeagled some well-bred fillies in the Prix de Lonray (2000m) on Tuesday. Ridden quietly in the early stages by Hugo Journiac, she saved ground on the rails and gradually made up ground to join the leaders turning for home.
The Cristophe Ferland-trained chestnut had disappointed on debut at Deauville a fortnight ago but sprinted clear second-up to score by 4 lengths from Aga Khan homebred Dolianova (Rock Of Gibraltar). “That’s a pleasant surprise,” Ferland said. “It was a brilliant win.”
Haras de Saint Arnoult stands Stormy River an hour’s drive south of Deauville. He sired Chancellor from Exgray (Exceed And Excel) who won nurseries at Deauville and Hamilton.
Stormy River is in good company as a Verglas Group 1 winner (Prix Jean Prat). Successful French-based stallion Silver Frost (French 2000 Guineas) is another and his son Silverwave holds a Group 1 entry for the Arc de Triomphe on October 1.
The Verglas sireline is represented in Australia by Group 1 winners Glass Harmonium (Blue Gum Farm) and Vert De Grece (Geisel Park).
“The numbers to Vert De Grece are ticking along nicely,” Geisel Park manager Conor Dunlop said from Myalup. “We booked another 5 mares from one client last week. Now all we need is some sun!”
Vert De Grece (Ire) won the G1 Criterium International by 5 lengths at Saint-Cloud and his introductory fee at Geisel Park is $5,500 (inc gst). For further information contact Eddie Rigg (0418 942 304), John Chalmers (0418 948 604), Conor Dunlop (0447 434 735).