In 2019, a famous horse racing website headlined “David Menuisier, best export since Éric Cantona.” Five years later, the Frenchman, based at the legendary Newmarket training center on the other side of the Channel, will present Sunday at Chantilly Tamfana, the favorite for the Prix de Diane Longines. This 44-year-old Alsatian, “started from nothing or not much”, has made a name for himself in England, but also at home in France. After having won the Prix de Royallieu 2020 and the Critérium International 2023 on our soil, he will try to add his name to the list of winners of a French classic. The filly, who could offer him this trophy on Sunday around 4:20 p.m. that his first “boss” Christiane Head lifted three times, did not cost much (20,000 euros), does not have a bankable father (Soldier Hollow), nor an incredible pedigree.
“The goal is the Prix de Diane”
David Menuisier, however, only has eyes for her and has for a long time: “I have always valued her. I said earlier in the year that Tamfana was the best I have trained… It is certainly daring of me to say this, but she reminds me of a filly like Zarkavathat is to say capable of waiting, following with ease, and once shifted, of placing enormous acceleration.“Even his somewhat timid return to the Prix Imprudence in Deauville did not worry him:”She is beaten by two sprinters (editor’s note, Romantic Style And Ramatuelle). My horses in April are not ready. She has three odd jobs and can make ten kilos more valuable. She is a filly born to do 2,000 meters. The goal is the Prix de Diane.“Here we are and since this Deauville performance, the representative of Quantum Leap Racing (an owners’ union) has made a splash in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. That day, after having waited (too) long, she made a rather rare end to the race to narrowly miss the podium. Over a longer distance and on finally seasonal terrain, Oisin Murphy’s partner seems able to shoot her best arrow.
A first for Godolphin?
Also installed in Newmarket almost the same year (2013 vs 2014), Charlie Appleby is very English, but is also looking for a first success in the Prix de Diane. In this 175e edition, he will present Dance Sequence, second in the Epsom Oaks last time, and will try to offer a first coronation to the Godolphin team, which has won almost everything in the world except the two French classics in June. Unlike His Highness Aga Khan’s team looking for an eighth crown in this event.
Head trainer of the team for two and a half years, Francis-Henri Graffard, who had the joy of a first “green” classic success in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches with Rouhiyadecided to present instead Candala. Even if she has not been seen since her convincing success in the Prix de la Grotte, she can shine. Others have run more recently and in style. This is the case of Sparkling Plenty And Adventure. On June 2 (the day of the Jockey-Club), Patrice Cottier’s and Christophe Ferland’s riders won their group easily (Sandringham and Royaumont) and earned the ticket for the decisive round. Passionate about sport, Christophe Soumillon will wear a jacket in the Prix de Diane on Sunday that must be particularly close to his heart, that of one of the greatest football coaches, Carlo Ancelotti. Co-owner of Gala Real, the probable French favorite trained in Chantilly by the Italian Alessandro Botti, the man has just won a new Champions League with Real Madrid. Will the aptly named also be at the top of the European field?
