AL WUKAIR (IRE) gained his first Group 1 victory on Sunday, in what was a thrilling finish to the Jacques Le Marois at Deauville. Rain-softened ground was to the liking of the 2,000 Guineas third, who had disappointed last time out in the Prix Messidor. Facing five rivals at the weekend, Frankie Dettori rode the Al Shaqab-owned colt to track the leaders and made his challenge approaching the two furlong pole, applying constant pressure to lead in the final strides, crossing the line a short head in front of Inns Of Court (IRE), with just a short neck back to favourite Thunder Snow (IRE) in third.

Thinking ahead, Dettori said; “Obviously the rain helped, I rode him on firm in the summer and he didn’t really like that. I guess the long-term plan will be the QEII, where he is guaranteed to get softer ground and he likes to go straight. A mile and a quarter is within his compass too, and at some stage we’ll look at stepping him up.”

The Andre Fabre-trained colt was bred by Ballylinch Stud out of the Machiavellian mare Macheera (IRE), who previously produced Listed performer Witches Brew (IRE). Macheera (IRE) is a winning half-sister to Irish Guineas third La Nuit Rose, herself the dam of dual Graded winner Tam Lin, with other siblings including the dam of Japanese Group 1 performers Curren Mirotic and Hikaru Amaranthus. The second dam, meanwhile, is Prix de Diane heroine Caerlina (IRE), who was also placed in the Prix Marcel Boussac and French 1,000 Guineas.

Another to achieve a landmark victory on Deauville’s classy card was British raider MYTHICAL MAGIC (IRE), who gained his first Stakes success in the Listed Prix Francois Boutin over seven furlongs. The Charlie Appleby-trained colt won his debut in fine style last month and was sent off second favourite against fellow Godolphin representative Cascadian, a four and a half length winner of a July maiden. MYTHICAL MAGIC (IRE) made all under Jamie Spencer as the field of seven split into two groups, Spencer the overall leader in the centre of the track and quickened well approaching the final furlong, always doing enough to hold his rivals at bay. He beat Cascadian by three parts of a length, with a further three lengths back to Salt Lake City in third.

Bred by Peter Kelly and Wendy Daly, MYTHICAL MAGIC (IRE) is a half-sister to Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes winner Esentepe (IRE) and four other winners, out of the winning mare Mythie. She is a half-sister to Listed winner Mytographie, herself also the dam of a Stakes winner, from the family of Criterium de Saint-Cloud third Marshall and Sword Dancer Stakes third L’Hermine.