Above The Curve has a fearsome record when travelling from Ireland to France and that is one reason why this striking daughter of American Pharoah deserves utmost respect in the Gr1 Prix Jean Romanet to be run over 2000m at Deauville on Sunday.
The first time she made the journey from Joseph O’Brien’s County Kilkenny stable in the south-east of Ireland to France resulted in defeat of five high class three-year-old fillies in the Gr1 Prix Saint-Alary (2000m) in May 2022 and, about a year later, she led almost from the gate to win Saint-Cloud’s Gr2 Prix Corrida (2100m).
Above the Curve ridden by Ryan Moore (centre) wins the Moyglare ”Jewels” Blandford Stakes in 2022 (Pic – Racing TV)
That day she was too strong by two lengths for Mqse De Sevigne, an expected rival on Sunday and subsequent Gr1 winner (Deauville’s 1600m Prix Rothschild). Above The Curve then had multiple Gr1 winners – Nashwa and Blue Rose Cen – behind her when only narrowly failing in a tense battle with Al Husn in this month’s Gr1 Nassau Stakes (1979m) at Goodwood.
Intended opponents include highly talented fillies – Stay Alert and One For Bobby – both trained by Hughie Morrison in the UK. Morrison has always been reluctant to pitch stablemates against each other but has been tempted at this big prize as both have high class credentials at this trip.
One For Bobby also has winning form in France, clearly not affected by a long road trip to the centre of the country when winning last month’s Gr3 Grand Prix De Vichy (2000m).
Of that victory Morrison says: “Christophe (Soumillon) told me that One For Bobby was not stopping at the end. She is a very tough filly, and we just want to avoid fast ground.”
That is an unlikely scenario on Sunday, whilst at least as interesting as the Prix Jean Romanet is a historic Prix Morny when a high-powered collection of last-time-out group- race winning two-year-olds will strive for their first Gr1 honours over Deauville’s straight 1200m.
Aidan O’Brien
Aidan O’Brien won last year’s Morny with Blackbeard and the trainer has a strong candidate this time with the unbeaten River Tiber, last seen when outspeeding 19 rivals in Royal Ascot’s Gr2 Coventry Stakes (1200m) in June.
Also returning since June is Valiant Force, springing one of the biggest-ever Royal Ascot shocks when landing the Gr2 Norfolk Stakes (1000m) at 150-1.
Others who have earnt swelling reputations from their latest starts are: Elite Status (winner of Deauville’s 1200m Gr3 Prix de Cabourg), Jasour (winner of Newmarket’s 1200m Gr2 July Stakes), Sacred Angel (winner of Ascot’s 1200m G3 Princess Margaret Stakes) and France’s big hope Ramatuelle who romped to a 4L victory in Chantilly’s 1200m Gr2 Prix Robert Papin.
Then there is the unbeaten Vandeek, winner of the Gr2 Richmond Stakes (1200m) at Goodwood this month.
Chris Wall, a successful former Newmarket trainer and now representative of owners KHK Racing, says: “Vandeek won his maiden at Nottingham despite starting very slowly and being a long way behind. He then won that Gr2 at Goodwood easily even though he idled when in front. The ground was soft both times and he coped with it but we think he should be even better on a sounder surface.”
