Diamond Necklace suffered her first loss when Aventure reminded everyone of her elite ability in the Sumbe Prix Jean et Louis Romanet at Deauville. The filly, a daughter of St Mark's Basilica and trained by Aidan O'Brien, had been tipped to shine again in France after a flawless six‑start career that included victories in the Prix Marcel Boussac, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the Prix de Diane.
Yet the seasoned Christophe Ferland‑trained older mare proved too experienced, adding another Group One triumph to her résumé following last year’s win in the Prix Vermeille. In third place, close on the heels of the winner, was the Charlie Johnston‑trained Timeforshowcasing, who delivered a strong performance under jockey Jack Mitchell.
Pierre‑Yves Bureau, the racing manager for the Wertheimer brothers, expressed his delight: "We were thrilled when she captured the Prix Corrida earlier in the season, but we made a mistake by contesting the 1½‑mile Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud. The field was strong, featuring Diamond Necklace among others, yet our mare showed why she is a champion.
We’ll eventually retire her to the breeding shed, but for now we intend to keep her racing." Aventure, who finished second to Bluestocking in the 2024 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, entered the Sumbe race at 20/1 odds according to Paddy Power after her upset over O'Brien's star in the hands of Maxime Guyon. The five‑year‑old will not attempt a third run in Europe’s richest middle‑distance contest; instead she will be aimed at the 10‑furlong Prix de l'Opéra on Arc day, with a possible trip to Keeneland later in the season. Bureau added, "It’s unusual, but this filly is gaining speed with age, and ten furlongs now suits her perfectly. We’ve prepared her meticulously for this race.
The plan is the Opéra first, then, if all goes well, a Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf run. We’ll take it step by step, one race at a time." In other news, Senorita Bonita displayed a devastating turn of foot to claim the Sumbe Prix Morny.
The 900,000‑guinea yearling, bought at the April Craven Breeze‑Up sale and owned by Simon and Ed Crisford, arrived on the Normandy coast eager to follow up her Newmarket Duchess of Cambridge Stakes win, a victory that had been boosted by Libertango’s Lowther Stakes triumph earlier in the week. Held back early by jockey Oisin Murphy, with Clive Cox’s Royal Ascot winner Orthodox ahead, the Starspangledbanner filly found herself well back of Aidan O'Brien’s front‑running Carry The Flag as the race entered its final third. When Murphy asked for acceleration, Senorita Bonita responded instantly, erasing the deficit and then pulling away from the pace‑setter for an emphatic win.
"She showed a brilliant turn of foot," said Simon Crisford. "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 the bridle early, but the race set up for closers and she was the best of them.
At halfway I thought we might have a mountain to climb, but her finishing kick was evident at the furlong pole." This victory marks the second Group One success for the father‑and‑son training team after Vandeek’s 2023 triumph, and continues the strong record of fillies in the event, following Venetian Sun’s win for Karl Burke a year earlier. The Victorious Racing‑owned filly now turns her attention to the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket, where bookmakers have offered her 5/2 odds.
She could meet former rival Libertango again, as well as recent York winner Sun Goddess. "All roads lead to the Cheveley Park now at the end of September," Crisford continued. "It was a deep, deep renewal and a truly pleasing effort; she looked impressive throughout. Any Group One victory is fantastic, and we’re delighted.
It’s a testament to the staff at home and everyone involved, and a great win for Shaikh Nasser (bin Hamed Al Khalifa) and Shaikh Khalid (bin Hamed Al Khalifa)."