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 race, a key fixture on the French racing calendar, saw the talented filly from Aidan O'Brien's stable, St Mark's Basilica, step up against a seasoned opponent and fall short. Aventure, who had already secured victories in the prestigious Prix Marcel Boussac, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the Prix de Diane, entered the contest with an unblemished record of six wins. Her unbeaten run had made her a favorite among punters and a formidable challenger for any rival.
Yet on the day of the Sumbe Prix, the experience of her older stablemate, trained by Christophe Ferland, proved decisive. The elder filly, fresh from a Group One triumph in the Prix Vermeille the previous year, displayed the composure and stamina that only top‑class horses possess. The finish was a tight three‑way battle.
In third place, Charlie Johnston’s Timeforshowcasing, piloted by Jack Mitchell, delivered a strong performance, rounding out a race that highlighted the depth of talent in the field. Pierre‑Yves Bureau, the racing manager for the Wertheimer brothers, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome: "We’re thrilled.
After winning the Prix Corrida earlier this year we were delighted, 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, featuring Diamond Necklace among others, yet our mare’s performance was simply wonderful. She is a true champion. While we’ll eventually consider her as a broodmare, we intend to enjoy her racing career for as long as possible." Aventure’s victory over O'Brien’s star performer earned her a 20/1 price from Paddy Power for the upcoming Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, where she had finished second to Bluestocking in 2024.
Despite the tempting odds, her connections have ruled out a third attempt at Europe’s richest middle‑distance race. Instead, they plan to keep her at a distance of 10 furlongs for the Prix de l'Opera, which will be contested on Arc day, before potentially targeting a trip to Keeneland later in the season.
Bureau added: "It’s unusual, but this filly is gaining speed with age, and 10 furlongs now suits her perfectly. She’s been prepared meticulously for this race. Our plan is to run her in the Prix de l'Opera and, if everything goes well, consider a journey to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
We’ll take it step by step, one race at a time. The next step is the Prix de l'Opera." In related news, Senorita Bonita displayed a devastating turn of foot to claim victory in the Sumbe Prix Morny. The filly, purchased 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 win in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.
That earlier triumph had been bolstered by a timely boost from Libertango, the Lowther Stakes winner, earlier in the week. Ridden by Oisin Murphy, Senorita Bonita was held back early, trailing behind the front‑running Carry The Flag, an Aidan O'Brien entry, and the Royal Ascot winner Orthodox trained by Clive Cox. As the race entered its final third, Murphy asked for acceleration, and the filly responded instantly.
She not only erased the deficit but surged ahead of the pace‑setter, delivering a commanding finish. Simon Crisford praised his filly: "She showed a fantastic turn of foot.
The early fractions were quick, but she finished superbly, galloping out strongly. She was a little slow out of the gates and lingered behind early, yet the race set up perfectly for closers, and she was the best of them. At halfway I briefly thought we might have a mountain to climb, but her turn of foot at the furlong pole made it clear she would finish strongly." This victory marked the second Group One win for the father‑and‑son training partnership after Vandeek’s success in 2023, and continued the strong record of fillies in this race, following Venetian Sun’s triumph for Karl Burke a year earlier. Looking ahead, Senorita Bonita, owned by Victorious Racing, will target the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.
Bookmakers have made her the 5/2 favorite, where she could face former rival Libertango again, as well as recent York winner Sun Goddess. Crisford commented on the upcoming challenge: "All roads lead to the Cheveley Park now at the end of September.
It was a fantastic performance in a deep renewal, and we’re extremely pleased. Any Group One win is a testament to the hard work of our staff and everyone involved.
It’s a great honor to win for Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid." Both Aventure and Senorita Bonita exemplify the depth of talent in European thoroughbred racing this season. Their connections are carefully plotting future campaigns that balance ambition with the welfare of the horses, aiming for further top‑level victories while preserving the long‑term health and breeding potential of these exceptional fillies.
The upcoming months promise more thrilling contests as these stars continue to shine on the world stage.