Jemayel caused an upset in the 2016 edition of the Group 1 Coolmore Prix Saint Alary, a traditional stepping-stone for the Prix de Diane, usually run in Longchamp, but moved to Deauville on the day following the French Guineas, due to Longchamp’s renovation works.
Jemayel prevailed over the unbeaten Camprock in a fast paced race run on good ground. The 3 year old filly put in a tremendous fight at the finish, to repel her adversary’s attack and close in on the line by a head. Juvenile Gr3 winner and Gr1 placed Hawksmoor was third.
Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget told the TDN that he « saw the other filly [Camprock] come to win the race one furlong from home, but [jockey] Gregory [Benoist] said Jemayel found more with every stride to win it ».
Jemayel came third on her beginnings over 7 ½ furlongst last August in Deauville, in a race won by another promising Capucines homebred, subsequent Gr3 Prix d’Aumale winner Gherdaiya (Shamardal) ; she then went on to win a conditions race in Longchamp and place second in the Gr.3 Prix des Reservoirs, again in Deauville, in October. Her seasonal reappearance in the Listed Prix Finlande in April, was disappointing, and put down to having an « off day ». Next stop, Prix de Diane on June 19th in Chantilly.
Jemayel is the daughter of excellent young sire Lope de Vega and experienced mare Nawal (Homme de Loi), who has already produced Gr1 Hollywood Gold Cup winner Mast Track (Mizzen Mast) (bred and trained by the legendary Robert Frankel) and Listed winner in France Redbrook (Raven’s Pass).
Nawal is based at Haras des Capucines since 2010 for breeders S.F Bloodstock and has a 2015 yearling colt by Raven’s Pass, who will go to the Arqana sales this summer. Her 2yo filly Lipstick Rose (Dream Ahead) was an €80,000 purchase by Hubert Guy at the 2015 August sales and is in training with Francis-Henri Graffard. Jemayel also comes from the Deauville yearling sales, where she was purchased for €100,000 by Al Shaqab Racing.
