Inmarosa scores in a stunning upset in the second ‘B-race’ at Vincennes

by Thomas Hedlund

One of France’s toughest mares delivered a major shock when the second B-race, the $125,000 Prix du Bourbonnais, was contested at Vincennes on Sunday (Nov. 7).

Borups Victory (Googoo Gaagaa) flashed early speed and crossed to the lead after only a few hundred meters, as Mathieu Mottier willingly released the front with Keep Going (Follow You). Driver/trainer Daniel Wäjersten later opted to yield to Philippe Allaire’s powerhouse Izoard Vedaquais (Bird Parker) — a horse known for maintaining a long, grinding tempo. Sitting in the pocket behind him looked like a sound plan.

But at Vincennes, the real race begins uphill.

And that’s where the longshot struck.

Inmarosa (Amiral Sacha), driven by Leo Abrivard, launched a fierce three-wide attack heading into the far turn. She surged past Izoard Vedaquais before the bend and opened up a couple of lengths, instantly putting the field under pressure at 47-1.

Borups Victory finally shook free at the top of the lane and angled out in pursuit of the leader. For a moment it looked promising, but the last 150 meters belonged entirely to the French closers. Wäjersten’s star flattened slightly late and had to settle for fifth.

Inmarosa dug in gamely and scored in a mile rate of 1:55.2 over 2,850 meters, a powerful, grinding performance.

Keep Going closed sharply once the gap appeared to finish second, while Izoard Vedaquais held for third.

The surprise package Harmony du Rabutin (Royal Dream) finished fourth — and with that, punched her ticket to the Prix d’Amérique.

QUALIFIED FOR THE 2026 PRIX D’AMÉRIQUE

Prix de Bretagne qualifiers:

Josh Power

Jushua Tree

Borups Victory

J’Aime le Foot

Prix du Bourbonnais qualifiers:

Inmarosa

Keep Going

Izoard Vedaquais

Harmony du Rabutin

Upcoming qualifiers:

Dec. 21 — $250,000 Criterium Continental — 2,100 meter auto start (4-year-olds — winner only)

Dec. 21 — $250,000 Prix Tenor de Baune — 2,700 meters (٥-year-olds – winner only)

Dec. 28 — $125,000 Prix du Bourgogne – 2,100 meters auto start (four spots)

Jan. 11 — $125,000 Prix de Belgique – 2,850 meters (four spots)

MACK DE BLARY BACK ON TOP IN THE PRIX READY CASH

Muscle Hill son Ginostrabliggi started out as the favorite in the $220,000 Prix Ready Cash for 3-year-olds at Vincennes on Sunday, and driver Gabriele Gelormini controlled the race early. Stablemate Monzon Normand took the lead, and unsurprisingly, Ginostrabliggi was handed the front shortly thereafter.

But the French M-generation is deep, and fierce. Mack de Blary (Face Time Bourbon), trained by Thierry Duvaldestin, enjoyed a perfect second-over trip behind another top colt, Maitre Jacques (Rolling d’Heripre). With no pressure coming three-wide, Théo Duvaldestin waited patiently before sending Mack de Blary into top gear at the head of the stretch. The response was immediate.

Mack de Blary fought past Maitre Jacques and scored decisively in a mile rate of 1:54 over 2,100 meters.

Guglielmo Jet (Maharajah) closed strongly for second, and Maitre Jacques held third.

Ginostrabliggi was beaten early in the lane and wound up fourth.

LIBERTE DE CHOISEL TOO STRONG IN THE PRIX ARISTE HEMARD

Favorite Liza Josselyn did all she could to keep the upper hand in the $125,000 Prix Ariste Hemard at Vincennes on Saturday (Nov. 6). Jean-Michel Bazire swept to the lead with 1,300 meters remaining, but Liberte de Choisel (Captain Sparrow—River Love) — already a multiple semi-classic winner — landed first-over and immediately applied pressure.

In the stretch, the pressure told. Liberte de Choisel drew off easily for Anthony Barrier, winning in a mile rate of 1:56.3 over 2,700 meters.

Liza Josselyn (Ready Cash) had to settle for second in 1:57, while Love Letter (Royal Dream) saved third from a perfect second-over trip.

The Sylvain Gérard Dupont trainee has now won six of eight starts in 2025, including the $125,000 Prix Guy le Gonidec.

LOVINO BELLO IMPRESSIVE IN THE PRIX OCTAVE DOUESNEL

The 4-year-old colts met in the $125,000 Prix Octave Douesnel, where the favorite came from the Duvaldestin barn. His Lovino Bello (Village Mystic), one of the classiest horses in the French L-generation, showed his strength once more. Early in the race, Phantom Express and Lombok Jiel traded the lead before Falco Killer Gar swept to the front entering the backstretch. Lovino Bello launched his attack 800 meters out, advanced powerfully three-wide, and rolled to the lead at the top of the stretch.

From there, he was simply the best. Lovino Bello scored in a mile rate of 1:57.1 over 2,700 meters for Eric Raffin.

Lombok Jiel (Enino du Pommereux) held second, just ahead of Phantom Express (Readly Express), who finished well after finding room late.

This was Lovino Bello’s third French win of the year, adding to the $88,000 Prix Guillaume le Conquerant and his Europaderby elimination.

THE BANK DOMINATES IN ITALY’S GRAN PREMIO ALLEVATORI

Irma Ferm (The Bank) delivered a one-horse show in the $195,000 Gran Premio Allevatori for 2-year-old fillies in Turin on Sunday (Dec. 7).

Driver Marco Stefani controlled the pace from the start and unleashed the decisive move entering the final turn.

The Enrico Montagna trainee stopped the clock in a mile rate of 2:01.4 over 2,100 meters. I Love America (Muscle Hill) finished second from the pocket, and Irenel Mail (Nad al Sheba) took third. It was Irma Ferm’s fourth win in six starts, including the $35,500 Criterium Veneto.

The colt division of the $195,000 Gran Premio Allevatori also crowned a The Bank offspring, as Itan Pal Ferm (The Bank—Vayla di Vico) and Antonio Simioli produced a sparkling finish.

Iambellesi Tq tried for the lead on the backstretch, landing outside heavy favorite Izoard Blue Grif, but the favorite folded abruptly.

Itan Pal Ferm, from a perfect stalking trip, swept past Iambellesi Tq in the final 100 meters to score in a mile rate of 2:01 over 2,100 meters. Second went to Iambellesi Tq (El Ideal), with Il Trio Jet (Wishing Stone) finishing third.