Ervedya

Last updated
Ervedya
Owner H H Aga Khan.svg
Racing silks of Aga Khan IV
Sire Siyouni
Grandsire Pivotal
DamElva
Damsire King's Best
Sex Mare
Foaled13 April 2012 [1]
CountryFrance
Colour Bay
Breeder Aga Khan IV
OwnerAga Khan IV
Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget
Record14: 7-3-3
Earnings£977,730
Major wins
Prix de Cabourg (2014)
Prix Imprudence (2015)
Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (2015)
Coronation Stakes (2015)
Prix du Moulin (2015)
Awards
Top-rated 3-y-o French-trained filly (2015)

Ervedya (foaled 13 April 2012) is a French Thoroughbred racehorse best known for her performances over 1600 metres (one mile). She showed top-class form as a juvenile in 2014 when she won her first three races including the Prix de Cabourg before finishing third in the Prix Morny and second in the Prix Marcel Boussac. In the following year she won the Prix Imprudence and then recorded Group One wins in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the Coronation Stakes. Later that season she added another major victory when she took the Prix du Moulin. In 2016 she failed to win but ran prominently in several major races.

Contents

Background

Ervedya is a bay mare with small white star bred in France by her owner Aga Khan IV. She was trained throughout her racing career by Jean-Claude Rouget and ridden in most of her races by Christophe Soumillon.

She was from the first crop of foals sired by the Aga Khan's stallion Siyouni whose biggest win came in the 2009 running of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère. His other offspring have included Siyoushake (Prix Perth), Spectre (Prix Imprudence), Volta (Prix de Sandringham), Bourree (Prix de Psyché), Finsbury Square (Prix de Meautry) and Trixia (Prix des Réservoirs). [2] Ervedya's dam Elva, showed good racing ability, winning two minor races and finishing second in the Prix Vanteaux. [3] She was a female-line descendant of the French mare Sanaa (foaled 1931) who was the ancestor of several other major winners including Esmeralda (Prix Morny), Coronation, Danedream, Gentoo (Prix Royal-Oak) and Falco (Poule d'Essai des Poulains). [4]

Racing career

2014: two-year-old season

Ervedya made a successful racecourse debut in a maiden race over 1100 metres at Tarbes on 29 May 2014, winning by a neck from Lostinparadise. In June at Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse she started at odds of 1.6/1 for the Prix Pirette over 1200 metres and won by one and a quarter lengths from the odds-on favourite Malicieuse. [5] On 3 August, the filly was stepped up in class for the Group Three Prix de Cabourg over 1200 metres at Deauville Racecourse and started at odds of 6/1 in an eight-runner field. Ridden by Thierry Jarnet she took the lead approaching the last 200 metres and won "comfortably" by two lengths and a nose from the colts City Money and El Suizo. [6] Three weeks later, over the same course and distance, Ervedya started joint-favourite for the Group One Prix Morny. After being restrained by Soumillon in the early stages she finished strongly to take third place behind the colts The Wow Signal (from England) and Hootenanny (from the United States). On her final appearance of the season Ervedya contested the Prix Marcel Boussac over 1600 metres at Longchamp Racecourse on 5 October and started second favourite behind the Irish filly Found. Despite an unfavourable draw on the outside of the twelve-runner she disputed the lead from the start but was overtaken in last 100 metres and beaten two and a half lengths into second place by Found.

2015: three-year-old season

Ervedya began her second season in the Group Three Prix Imprudence over 1400 metres on very soft ground at Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse on 2 April and started the 11/8 favourite ahead of the Italian filly Fontenalice (Premio Dormello), Ameenah (Prix Miesque) and Queen Bee (Prix du Calvados). After racing towards the rear of the thirteen runner field she accelerated into the lead 200 metres from the finish and won "comfortably" by one and three quarter lengths from Ameenah. [7] On 10 May Ervedya was stepped back up to Group One class for the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches over 1600 metres at Longchamp and started favourite against thirteen opponents. Ameenah, Queen Bee and Fontenalice were again in the field whilst the other runners included Mexican Gold (Prix de la Grotte) and Sainte Amarante the winner of the Listed Prix la Camargo. Ridden with great confidence by Soumillon, Ervedya raced at the rear of the field before accelerating into the lead in the last 200 metres and winning comfortably by three quarters of a length from the British-trained outsider Irish Rookie. [8] After the race Rouget commented "She has Group 1 acceleration, is easy to train and easy to ride. She didn't get away all that well but that wasn't too serious and Christophe had her nicely hidden away". [9]

On her next appearance, Ervedya was sent to England and started second favourite behind Found in the Coronation Stakes over one mile at Royal Ascot on 19 June. The other seven runners included Lucida (Rockfel Stakes), Arabian Queen, Irish Rookie and Sperry (Michael Seely Memorial Stakes). After being restrained by Soumillon in the early stages, as Arabian Queen set the pace Ervedya began to make rapid progress in the straight. She overtook Found inside the final furlong and won by a neck with Lucida a half length back in third ahead of the outsider Miss Temple City. [10] Explaining his tactics Soumillon said "I knew she had a good turn of foot so I just wanted to try to follow one or two good fillies to bring me to the final furlong. At the entrance to the straight, I saw that Ryan was going very easily on Found and that around her everybody was a bit [tired] and I thought that I’d find a gap. When I came through, she gave me the turn of foot to make it right on the line." [11] Jean-Claude Rouget commented "It was a big dream to come and win a group I here. She's the best; mentally she is fantastic and that makes her the best". [12] On 2 August Ervedya was matched against older fillies and mares for the first time in the Prix Rothschild over 1600 metres at Deauville. She started the odds on favourite but after taking the lead 300 metres from the finish she was overtaken in the closing stages and beaten one and a quarter lengths by the British-trained four-year-old Amazing Maria.

The Group One Prix du Moulin over 1600 metres at Longchamp on 13 September saw Ervedya start odds-on favourite ahead of the Breeders' Cup Mile winner Karakontie. The other four runners were Maimara (Prix de Lieurey), Giuliani (Bayerisches Zuchtrennen), Wild Chief (Meilen-Trophy) and Akatea (Prix Finlande). After racing in second place behind Karakontie, the filly took the lead inside the last 200 metres and stayed on well to win by a length from Akatea. [13] After the race the Aga Khan said "There was a slight moment where I wondered whether the jockey would get there in time as it didn't look as though things were going to open up with the other horse on her outside. I think we will probably keep her in training as a four-year-old, as there is nothing particularly in the programme for her now that looks interesting. She's very sound and healthy, so I see no reason why we shouldn't". [14]

2016: four-year-old season

On 1 May at Saint-Cloud Racecourse Ervedya began her third campaign by starting odds-on favourite for the Prix du Muguet and finished second, beaten three and a half lengths by the five-year-old Vadamos. In June she made her second appearance at Royal Ascot and started the 9/2 joint-favourite for the Queen Anne Stakes over one mile. After being held up at the rear of the field she made some progress in the last quarter mile but never looked likely to win and finished fifth behind Tepin, Belardo, Lighting Spear and Toormore. In the Prix Jacques Le Marois over 1600 metres at Deauville in August she came from well off the pace to finish third behind Ribchester and Vadamos with Esoterique and Galileo Gold among the other beaten horses. [15] On her final run of the year Ervedya was sent to England for the Group One Sun Chariot Stakes over one mile at Newmarket Racecourse on 1 October. Ridden by Christophe Lemaire she tracked the leaders before staying on in the closing stages to finish third behind the Irish filly Alice Springs.

Assessment and awards

In the 2015 World's Best Racehorse Rankings Ervedya was given a rating of 115 making her the 205th best racehorse in the world and the ninth-best three-year-old filly. She was also the highest-rated filly of her generation trained in France. [16]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Ervedya (FR), bay mare, 2012 [1]
Sire
Siyouni (FR)
2007
Pivotal (GB)
1993
Polar Falcon Nureyev
Marie d'Argonne
Fearless Revival Cozzene
Stufida
Sichilla (IRE)
2002
Danehill Danzig
Razyana
Slipstream Queen Conquistador Cielo
Country Queen
Dam
Elva (IRE)
2004
King's Best (USA)
1997
Kingmambo Mr. Prospector
Miesque
AllegrettaLombard
Anatevka
Evora (IRE)
1999
Marju Last Tycoon
Flame of Tara
Eviyrna The Minstrel
Euliya (Family: 14) [4]

Related Research Articles

Coronation was a French racehorse. In a racing career which lasted from the spring of 1948 until October 1950, she ran thirteen times and won six races. As a two-year-old she was one of the best fillies of her generation in Europe, winning the Queen Mary Stakes in England and the Prix Robert Papin in France. In the following year she dead-heated for the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, but was beaten in both the Oaks Stakes and the Irish Oaks. In October 1949 she established her reputation as one of the best fillies to race in Europe in the 20th century when she emphatically defeated a strong international field in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Her subsequent racing career was disappointing and she was a complete failure as a broodmare.

Ravinella was an American-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare, best known for being the outstanding European filly of her generation in 1987 and for winning the classic 1000 Guineas in 1988.

Immortal Verse is an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a two-year-old she showed promise by winning on her debut and finishing second in the Prix d'Aumale. Her early form in 2011 was disappointing as she was beaten in her first two races and refused to enter the starting stalls in the 1000 Guineas. She then made rapid improvement, winning the Prix de Sandringham and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot before defeating a strong international field in the Prix Jacques le Marois. She went on to finish third to Frankel in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes but failed to reproduce her best form in two races as a four-year-old. After her retirement from racing she was sold at auction for 4.7 million guineas setting a European record price for a broodmare.

Gold Splash was an American-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was one of the best two-year-old fillies of her generation in France when she won the Prix Marcel Boussac on her third appearance. In the following season she finished third in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches before winning the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. She raced in the United States as a four-year-old, winning the Osunitas Handicap before being retired. Gold Splash was not a success as a broodmare, producing only two minor winners.

Esoterique Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Esoterique is an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. As a three-year-old she won the Prix Vanteaux and finished second in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches but then missed the second half of the season. At four she won the Dahlia Stakes in England and the Group One Prix Rothschild in France and in 2015 she added further Group One victories in the Prix Jacques Le Marois and the Sun Chariot Stakes.

Vorda is a French Thoroughbred racehorse and prospective broodmare. In a racing career which lasted from April 2013 until October 2014 she won four of her eleven races. After being bought cheaply as a yearling she was one of the best juvenile fillies in Europe in 2013. In France she won the Prix La Flèche and the Prix Robert Papin as well as finishing second in the Prix Morny before being sent to England to record her biggest victory in the Cheveley Park Stakes. She failed to win as a three-year-old but ran well in several major races before being retired at the end of the season.

American Post is a British-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was one of the best two-year-olds of his generation in Europe in 2003, recovering from a narrow defeat on his debut to win his three remaining races and becoming the first horse to win both the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère in France and the Racing Post Trophy in England. In the following spring he extended his winning run to six with victories in the Prix Omnium II, Prix de Fontainebleau and the Poule d'Essai des Poulains before finishing sixth when third favourite for the Epsom Derby. After a disappointing run in his only subsequent start he was retired from racing with a record of six wins from nine starts. According to his trainer he was exceptionally fond of carrots. He became a breeding stallion in France and has had some success as a sire of winners.

Roly Poly is an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2016 she won three of her eight races including the Grangecon Stud Stakes and the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes as well as finishing second in the Cheveley Park Stakes and the Lowther Stakes. In the following year she proved herself to be a top-class performer over one mile, recording Group 1 victories in the Falmouth Stakes, Prix Rothschild and Sun Chariot Stakes and running second in both the Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes.

Imprudence was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She showed very promising form as a two-year-old in 1949 when she won two races and finished second in the Prix de la Salamandre. She reached her peak in the first half of the following year when she won the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the 1000 Guineas before recording an emphatic victory in the Epsom Oaks. She made little impact when competing in the United States as a four-year-old. She had some success as a broodmare.

Qemah is an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She showed considerable promise as a juvenile in 2015 when she won one minor race and finished third in the Prix Marcel Boussac. In the following spring she took the Prix de la Grotte and went on to record Group 1 victories in the Coronation Stakes and Prix Rothschild. The highlight of her four-year-old season was a win in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.

La Cressonniere is a French Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a two-year-old in 2015 she won all four of her races including the Listed Prix Isonomy and Prix Herod but was not tested at the highest level. After winning another Listed race on her three-year-old debut she was stepped up in class and recorded Group 1 victories in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the Prix de Diane. She added a win in the Prix de la Nonette later that year but he then began to suffer from back problems and was retired undefeated in 2017.

Ta Rib was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. Despite failing to win as a juvenile in 1995 she showed promise as he was placed in both her races. In the following spring she won a maiden race and then recorded her biggest success when recording an upset victory in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. She failed to win again but ran well in defeat in three subsequent races. As a broodmare she produced several minor winners but no top-class winners.

Darjina was a French Thoroughbred racehorse. After winning her only race as a juvenile she improved to become one of the best three-year-old fillies in Europe in 2007, winning the Prix de la Grotte, Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Prix d'Astarte and Prix du Moulin. In 2008 she compiled an unusual record: competing exclusively at the highest level she finished second in all of six of her races. She was rated the best horse of her age and sex in Europe in both 2007 and 2008.

Zalaiyka was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. After finishing fifth on her first appearance she won her two other races as a two-year-old including the Prix des Réservoirs. In the following year she took her winning run to four with victories in the Prix de la Grotte and the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches but was beaten in her two remaining starts and was retired at the end of the season. As a broodmare she had little success as a dam of winners.

Valentine Waltz was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a two-year-old she was initially trained in Ireland where she failed to win in four races although she did finish third in the Marble Hill Stakes. Later in the year she was moved to England and improved, winning a minor race and being placed in both the Rockingham Stakes and the Rockfel Stakes. In the following year she developed into one of the best fillies of her generation in Europe, winning the Nell Gwyn Stakes and the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches as well as finishing third in both the 1000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes. After her retirement from racing she became a broodmare and had modest success as a dam of winners.

Teppal is a French-bred, British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2017 she won two minor races from two starts. On her first appearance of 2018 she recorded her biggest victory when she won the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. She was unplaced in two subsequent starts that year.

Watch Me is a French Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2018 she showed promise as she won the Listed Criterium du Languedoc on the second of her two starts. In the following year she won the Prix Imprudence and recorded her biggest win when she took the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Castle Lady is an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2019 she won a minor race on her debut before taking the Prix de la Grotte and then recording her biggest victory in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. In three subsequent races she finished fifth in the Coronation Stakes, second in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes and tenth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Nebraska Tornado was a Kentucky-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was unraced as a two-year-old but quickly established herself as a top-class performer in the spring of 2003, winning her first three races including the Prix Melisande and Prix de Diane. She sustained her first defeat in the Prix Jacques Le Marois but then produced her best performance to overcome a strong international field in the Prix du Moulin. She failed to win in 2004 but ran well in defeat to finish third in both the Prix d'Astarte and the Sun Chariot Stakes and fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes. After her retirement from racing she produced several winners.

Dream And Do Irish-bred racehorse

Dream And Do is an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. She showed great promise as a two-year-old in 2019 when she won three of her four races including the Group 3 Prix Miesque. In the following year she ran second in the Prix de la Grotte before taking the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

References

  1. 1 2 "Ervedya pedigree". Equineline.
  2. "Siyouni – Stud Record". Racing Post.
  3. "Elva – Record By Race Type". Racing Post.
  4. 1 2 "The Oldfield Mare – Family 14". Thoroughbred Bloodlines.
  5. "Prix Pirette result". Racing Post. 24 June 2014.
  6. "Prix de Cabourg result". Racing Post. 3 August 2014.
  7. "Prix Imprudence result". Racing Post. 2 April 2015.
  8. "Poule d'Essai des Pouliches result". Racing Post. 10 May 2015.
  9. Tom Kerr (10 May 2015). "France Rookie second to Ervedya in Pouliches". Racing Post.
  10. "Coronation Stakes result". Racing Post. 19 June 2015.
  11. Greg Wood (19 June 2015). "Ervedya highlights Soumillon prowess in Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot". The Guardian .
  12. Myra Lewyn (19 June 2015). "Ervedya Upstages Found in Coronation Stakes". The Blood-Horse .
  13. "Prix du Moulin result". Racing Post. 13 September 2015.
  14. Peter Scargill (13 September 2015). "France Soumillon times it right on Ervedya in Moulin". Racing Post.
  15. "Prix Jacques Le Marois result". Racing Post. 14 August 2016.
  16. "The 2015 World Thoroughbred Rankings". International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities. Retrieved 2016-01-19.