Group 1 winner Grand Glory destined for Arqana after Japan Cup farewell

Less than a year since bringing the hammer down at €2.5 million at Arqana's Vente d'Elevage, Group 1 winner Grand Glory is set to be offered once again at the auction as a broodmare prospect.

The winner of eight of her 23 starts, including the Prix Jean Romanet last year and this term's Group 3 Prix Allez, the six-year-old will bring her racing career to an end in the Japan Cup next month.

A winner at two for trainer Gianluca Bietolini, Grand Glory was Listed-placed on her first start at three before supplementing a win next time out with a close-up third to Channel in the Prix de Diane. She also struck in the Listed Prix Zarkava and was a neck second in the Group 2 Prix Corrida.

The popular mare won her first Group race at four in the Group 3 Prix de Flore for Albert Frassetto, John d’Amato and Mike Pietrangelo. She then struck in the Group 3 Grand Prix de Vichy and then Prix Jean Romanet at five last season. She was beaten only a nose in the Prix de l’Opéra and was then a decent fifth in the Japan Cup.

Offered at the breeding stock sale by Haras de Castillon last December, she was bought by agent Anne-Sophie Yoh for Xavier Marie. Sporting the colours of Haras de Hus, she won the Prix Allez in May before a fine third in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and then a gallant fifth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Yoh said: “Grand Glory is preparing for the Japan Cup, and she is in great form and we are hoping for a great run.

“It might be surprising to see a mare of this quality go through the ring again, but there is an explanation. In the beginning Mr Marie wished to start breeding, so we bought mares with exceptional pedigrees, including Grand Glory. However, this purchase also enabled him to discover more about life as an owner, and he has enjoyed it so much that he has decided to concentrate on this."

She added: "For this reason, Grand Glory will go under the hammer as a broodmare prospect. She will be offered by Gianluca Bietolini and his team, which seems a fitting next step for this incredible mare.”

Bietolini said: "It's an incredible opportunity to train a mare like this. In the morning she is very pleasant, easy and demonstrative. She has her own character! In her races she gives her best every time.

"She is very brave. I remember after her win in the Grand Prix de Vichy, when she passed the stands on the way back in, she had that special expression that characterises her, she was really magnificent."

Bred by Haras de Bourgeauville and an €18,000 private buy from the Arqana October Yearling Sale, Grand Glory is the fifth foal out of the Daylami mare Madonna Lily, a half-sister to Canadian Grade 2 winner Minakshi. Grand Glory is a half-sister to a handful of winners, including Listed scorer Bois D'Argent.

This year's Arqana breeding stock sale takes place at Deauville from December 3-6.

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