Nebraska de Ginier extends winning streak, sets French record at Enghien

by Thomas Hedlund

The standout performance on Enghien’s marquee card Saturday (July 18) belonged to rising 3-year-old colt Nebraska de Ginier (Golden Bridge), who delivered a breathtaking effort in the Group 3 $100,000 Prix Henri Cravoisier.

Trained by Alexandre Buisson Nebraska de Ginier has been a different horse since joining the stable. After finishing unplaced in his career debut as a 2-year-old, he was transferred to Buisson late last year. His first start for the new barn produced only a fourth-place finish in November before a winter break.

Since returning to the races on March 22, however, the colt has been unbeatable.

Entering Saturday’s one-mile test at Enghien with six consecutive victories, Nebraska de Ginier (Anthony Barrier) shared favoritism with Philippe Allaire trainee Nat King Cole (Ready Cash). And the two favorites dominated the race from the outset.

Nat King Cole controlled the pace while Nebraska de Ginier was forced to grind away first-over through sizzling fractions, including the equivalent of :54.1 for the opening half-mile and 1:22.4 through the first 1,200 meters.

Despite the demanding trip, Nebraska de Ginier wore down the leader shortly after turning for home, surged clear with authority, and drew away for an impressive victory.

Nuevo Cash (Ready Cash), who found room from the pocket in mid-stretch, closed strongly to finish second, while Nelson Emge (Hohneck) rallied well from second-over for third. Nat King Cole faded to fourth after setting the torrid pace.

Nebraska de Ginier stopped the timer in a sensational 1:51.4 mile rate, matching runner-up Nuevo Cash’s time while establishing a new French record for 3-year-olds over the mile.

The previous mark of 1:52.1 (1:09.7 kilometer rate) was established by Lovino Bello when he won the same race two years ago.

The victory was Nebraska de Ginier’s seventh straight, with three of those wins this season coming at Vincennes in the Prix de Gien, Prix Coronis, and Prix de Mamers, further cementing his status as one of France’s brightest sophomore gelding stars.

MACK DE BLARY RETURNS TO THE WINNER’S CIRCLE AT ENGHIEN

French 4-year-old standout Mack de Blary (Face Time Bourbon) reminded everyone of his class Saturday, snapping a four-race winless streak with a comfortable victory in the $100,000 Prix de Milan at Enghien.

Trained by Thierry Duvaldestin and driven by his son Théo Duvaldestin, Mack de Blary was the dominant colt of his French crop last season. His impressive résumé includes victories in the Critérium des 3 Ans (€300,000), Prix Ready Cash (€200,000), Yearling Cup 2025 (€150,000), Prix Victor Régis (€120,000), and Prix Emmanuel Margouty (€120,000).

His most recent victory had come in the Prix Ready Cash at Vincennes in early December before a lengthy layoff. Saturday’s start was his third since returning from more than four months on the sidelines.

The race itself proved straightforward.

After Maestro Vrie (Village Mystic) controlled the early stages, Théo Duvaldestin inherited the lead approaching the halfway point. The opening 1,200 meters were covered in a moderate 1:26.1 mile rate, allowing Mack de Blary to settle comfortably on the front end.

Turning for home, the son of Face Time Bourbon quickly put the race away, drawing clear with ease to score in a 1:54.4 mile rate for 2,150 meters.

Italian-bred Golden Gio (Face Time Bourbon) rallied well from second-over to finish second, while Maestro Vrie held gamely for third.

OUIJA BELLA CAPTURES FRANCE’S FIRST 2-YEAR-OLD RACE ON DIRT

France’s first three races for 2-year-olds this season were all contested on grass, producing two winners by freshman sire Idao de Tillard — colt Opal Rainbow and filly Odida — while Only One Hero, from the first crop of fellow freshman stallion Invictus Madiba, captured the other division.

Saturday at Enghien, however, marked the season’s first juvenile race on a dirt surface as 10 fillies lined up in the $37,000 Prix de la Porte des Lilas over 2,250 meters.

Heavy favorite Olgaya, a daughter of Idao de Tillard from the Thierry Duvaldestin stable, failed to live up to expectations and finished fourth.

Instead, Ouija Bella (Village Mystic—Aura des Jacquets), trained by Jocelyn Robert and driven by Eric Raffin, emerged victorious, stopping the clock in a mile rate of 2:03.3 for the 2,250-meter event.