David Redvers, the racing director of Qatar Racing, gave the Kensington Palace S favorite. Haziya (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}) is Sheikh Fahad’s best chance to have a winner at Royal Ascot, but has revealed how the week will be determined on the French G1 1000 Guineas heroine Mangoustine (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) performing during G1 Coronation S. on Friday.
Mangoustine wore the black and white silk suit of former NBA star Tony Parker to win the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp last month and Redvers, who bought the ao dai as a wish for just €46,000 , is looking forward to seeing how she performs later in the week.
Along with Parker, Mangoustine trained by Monceaux Stud and Qatar Racing-owned Mikel Delzangle and, despite being available by as big as 10-1, she was expected to put in a daring performance. in what is shaping up to be one of the races of the week.
“It could be one of the races of the week,” says Redvers. If the ground becomes very fast, it will probably drop a bit, as there are many who say that the winner of the Guineas of Ireland [Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB})] won’t run if the ground is too fast. It’s a contest. “
He added, “We bought Zotilla (Zamindar), the dam of Mangoustine, in partnership with Lordship Stud and Monceaux at the Arqana December Sale in 2014. She is a lovely mare, very athletic and can be a bit of a bummer. She had a little temper, but she did the best thing ever.
“Then we sold her for Henri [Bozo]Monceaux’s model is a good one in that, if they [mares] doesn’t create winners, he just surpasses them. That’s why Zotilla was sold.
“But this is dirty [Mangoustine] was an absolute beauty and we decided to buy her back to a certain level because we had to buy Lordship Stud who weren’t interested in racing with her.
“We bought the Lordship and Henri made a deal with [trainer] Frederic Rossi. Soon after, it was decided to bring in Tony Parker as a partner, because the guy was so kind and everyone wanted so badly from his surgery to get a good horse. It all works pretty well.”
To say it has worked well is an understatement. Parker, one of the most successful basketball players of the modern era, brought in a new fan base to the sport and the decision to include him in Mangoustine proved an inspiring one.
Redvers said, “It was great. No one could have imagined how this would turn out and we would all be lying if we knew we had made Tony a Guineas winner. We know her to be a lovable chubby with the right pedigree and by the right breed. She is an incredibly fun race and equally exciting in terms of nurturing prospects. “
Moungoustine was transferred to Mikel Delzangle earlier this year after her previous coach, Frederic Rossi, lost his license. Delzangle, best known in the UK for his record with G1 2000 Guineas winner Makfi (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), has been through a wild period but Mangoustine’s Guineas victory has represented for a new dawn for the yard.
Redvers said, “There are documents that say Frederic has lost his license and we need to find another coach. Luckily, everyone agrees on Mikel, as he’s done a great job for us in the past, so luckily it all came to an end.
“By taking admission on his own, he was in the doldrums for a short time, but it’s great to see him back. Not only was he a master trainer, he was a complete gentleman, and we really felt him during a period when his horses were horribly unhealthy.”
He added, “Whatever issues have held them back before, they seem to have gotten over that, and it’s great to see Mikel return to his glory days. It’s great to see all his horses running well again and we are looking forward to Mangoustine this week.”
Mangoustine may be the most important but according to Redvers, Joseph O’Brien-trained Haziya is Qatar Racing’s best chance of winning this week.
He said, “We are looking at horses that have a serious chance in some races and she stands out. I must say, she was a shrewd acquisition of Joseph in November [cost just €36,000 at Goffs] so hopefully she can win. She’s probably our best chance of winning all week. ”
Regarding the rest of their team, Redvers said, “Emotions (GB) (Frankel {GB}) runs in G2 Queen Vase. She’s from the family, who won half a race at Kempton. She’s been found to be a bit wanted at Goodwood, where she doesn’t really handle the conditions, but Ascot will play to her strengths.
“We are partners in Silencer (Ire) (Kessaar {Ire}), is a nimble horse we bought with James Harron. Hopefully he’ll be able to give Australians a bit of fun in Windsor Castle. Friday is really our big day with Mangoustine. She is someone we are all really excited about.”
