Diamond Necklace suffered her first loss when Aventure reminded everyone of her elite abilities in the Sumbe Prix Jean et Louis Romanet at Deauville. The French‑trained filly, owned by the Wertheimer brothers and managed by Pierre‑Yves Bureau, had been unbeaten in six starts, collecting the Prix Marcel Boussac, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the Prix de Diane on her way to a dominant reputation.
Yet on this occasion she could not match the seasoned veteran trained by Christophe Ferland, who added another Group One triumph to her résumé after last year’s victory in the Prix Vermeille. The race unfolded with a close third place for Timeforshowcasing, the Charlie Johnston‑trained runner who was ridden impressively by Jack Mitchell. After the finish, Bureau praised his mare, saying, "We were thrilled when she won the Prix Corrida earlier in the year, but we made a mistake by stretching her out to a mile and a half in the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud.
The field was strong, including Diamond Necklace, yet what our filly accomplished is extraordinary – she truly is a champion. We’ll enjoy her on the track for now and eventually consider her as a broodmare." Aventure, who had previously finished second to Bluestocking in the 2024 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, entered the Sumbe Prix with odds of 20/1 according to Paddy Power.
Her victory over O'Brien's star in the hands of Maxime Guyon underscored her rising stature. However, the five‑year‑old will not contest a third Arc; instead, her connections plan to keep her at a distance of ten furlongs for the upcoming Prix de l'Opera on Arc day, with a possible trip to Keeneland later in the season.
Bureau explained the strategy: "It’s unusual, but this filly is gaining speed with age, and ten furlongs now suits her perfectly. She’s been prepared meticulously for this race. The next step is the Prix de l'Opera, and if that goes well we may target the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, but we’ll take it one race at a time." In other news, Senorita Bonita displayed a devastating turn of foot to claim victory in the Sumbe Prix Morny. The 900,000‑guinea yearling purchased at the April Craven Breeze‑Up sale by Simon and Ed Crisford arrived on the Normandy coast eager to build on her recent win in Newmarket’s Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, a race that had been boosted by a strong performance from Lowther Stakes winner Libertango earlier in the week.
Ridden by Oisin Murphy, Senorita Bonita was held back early while the Clive Cox‑trained Orthodox led the field. As the race entered its final third, the filly, a daughter of Starspangledbanner, began to make up ground on Aidan O'Brien’s front‑running Carry The Flag.
When Murphy asked for acceleration, the response was immediate: Senorita Bonita not only erased the deficit but surged ahead of the early pacesetter, securing a decisive win. Crisford praised his charge, noting, "She showed a wonderful turn of foot. The early fractions were quick, but she finished superbly and galloped out strongly.
She was a bit slow out of the gates and lingered behind early, yet the race set up for closers and she proved the best of them. At the halfway point I thought we might have a mountain to climb, but her acceleration at the furlong pole made it clear she would finish strongly." This victory marked the second Group One success for the father‑and‑son training team, following Vandeek’s win in 2023, and continued the strong record of fillies in the event after Venetian Sun’s triumph for Karl Burke a year earlier. With the win, Senorita Bonita, owned by Victorious Racing, now sets her sights on the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. Bookmakers have priced her at 5/2 for that contest, where she could meet former rival Libertango again, as well as recent York winner Sun Goddess.
Crisford added, "All roads now lead to the Cheveley Park at the end of September. It was a fantastic performance in a deep, deep renewal. Any Group One victory is a massive achievement, and we’re delighted.
It reflects the dedication of the staff back home and everyone involved, and it’s wonderful to win for Shaikh Nasser (bin Hamed Al Khalifa) and Shaikh Khalid (bin Hamed Al Khalifa)." Both Aventure and Senorita Bonita illustrate the depth of talent present in European racing this season. Aventure’s ability to break Diamond Necklace’s unbeaten streak underscores her development into a top‑class middle‑distance performer, while Senorita Bonita’s rapid acceleration showcases the importance of tactical riding and breeding in producing elite sprinters. Their upcoming campaigns—Aventure at the Prix de l'Opera and potentially the Breeders' Cup, and Senorita Bonita at the Cheveley Park and beyond—will be closely watched by enthusiasts and punters alike. As the autumn racing calendar unfolds, fans can expect further thrilling performances, strategic decisions from trainers, and the ever‑present question of which of these talented fillies will ultimately cement their legacies in the annals of thoroughbred racing.