Diamond Necklace suffered her first defeat when Aventure reminded everyone of her elite abilities in the Sumbe Prix Jean et Louis Romanet at Deauville. The French‑trained filly, a daughter of St Mark's Basilica and a product of Aidan O'Brien's stable, had entered the race with lofty expectations after an unbeaten six‑start career that included victories in the Prix Marcel Boussac, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the Prix de Diane. Those wins had established her as one of the most promising three‑year‑old fillies in Europe, and many observers assumed she would simply add another Group One triumph to her résumé. However, the experienced Christophe Ferland‑trained veteran proved too much for the young star.
Ferland's older mare, who had already secured a Group One victory in the Prix Vermeille the previous year, displayed a blend of stamina and tactical speed that left Diamond Necklace unable to find a clear run. In the final furlong, the seasoned filly surged ahead, crossing the line ahead of Aventure and confirming that experience can still trump youthful brilliance in top‑level competition.
A close third was claimed by Timeforshowcasing, a Charlie Johnston‑trained runner who performed admirably under the guidance of jockey Jack Mitchell. The horse had been a consistent presence in the race, but the pace set by the older mare and the late surge from Aventure meant there was little room for a late charge. Pierre‑Yves Bureau, the racing manager for the Wertheimer brothers, expressed his delight at the outcome. He said, "We are thrilled with the result.
After Diamond Necklace's win in the Prix Corrida earlier this year, we thought we had made a mistake by contesting the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud over a mile and a half. The field was strong, with many high‑quality fillies, but our mare showed why she is a champion. We look forward to her future as a broodmare, but for now we will enjoy her racing career." Aventure's victory over the O'Brien‑trained star earned her a 20/1 price from Paddy Power for the upcoming Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, where she had previously finished second to Bluestocking in 2024. Despite the tempting odds, her connections have decided not to target a third attempt at Europe's richest middle‑distance race.
Instead, they plan to keep the five‑year‑old at a distance of ten furlongs, aiming first for the Prix de l'Opera on Arc day and then possibly a trip to Keeneland for the Breeders' Cup. Bureau added, "It's unusual, but this filly is actually gaining speed as she ages, and ten furlongs now seems to be her ideal distance. She has been prepared exceptionally well for this race. Our plan is to run her in the Prix de l'Opera and, if everything goes smoothly, consider a Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf entry.
We'll take it one step at a time, focusing on each race in turn." In other news, Senorita Bonita displayed a devastating turn of foot to claim the Sumbe Prix Morny. The filly, bought for 900,000 guineas at the April Craven Breeze‑Up sale and owned by Simon and Ed Crisford, arrived on the Normandy coast eager to build on her recent triumph in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket. That victory had been bolstered earlier in the week by Libertango's win in the Lowther Stakes. Ridden by Oisin Murphy, Senorita Bonita was settled towards the rear of the field while Clive Cox's Royal Ascot winner Orthodox set a brisk early pace.
As the race entered the final third, the filly began to make her move, closing rapidly 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 pace‑setter, securing a decisive win. Simon Crisford praised his filly, saying, "She showed an excellent turn of foot.
The early fractions were strong, but she finished superbly, galloping out with great vigor. She was a bit slow out of the gates and lingered early, yet the race suited closers and she proved the best of them.
At the halfway point I thought we might have a mountain to climb, but her finishing speed was evident as we approached the furlong pole." This victory marked the second Group One success for the father‑and‑son training partnership after Vandeek's win in 2023, and it continued the strong record of fillies in the event, following Venetian Sun's triumph for Karl Burke a year earlier. The win also positions Senorita Bonita for another major target: the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket, where bookmakers have offered her 5/2 odds. The race could see a rematch with Libertango and a showdown against recent York winner Sun Goddess. Crisford added, "All roads now lead to the Cheveley Park at the end of September.
This was a fantastic performance in a deep, deep renewal. Any Group One victory is a massive achievement, and we are delighted. It reflects the hard work of the staff back home and everyone involved. Winning for Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid is a great honor." Overall, the recent French meetings highlighted the unpredictable nature of top‑class racing.
While Diamond Necklace's unbeaten streak was snapped, the race underscored the value of experience and strategic placement. Meanwhile, emerging talents like Aventure and Senorita Bonita are carving out their own legacies, demonstrating that both seasoned campaigners and rising stars can thrive when carefully managed.
The upcoming Prix de l'Opera and Cheveley Park Stakes will provide further opportunities for these horses to cement their status, and fans can anticipate more thrilling performances as the season progresses toward the autumn championships and potential transatlantic challenges at the Breeders' Cup.