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 filly, bred by Aidan O'Brien and owned by St. Mark's Basilica, had entered the race with high expectations after a flawless six‑start campaign 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 a dominant force in France, but the seasoned veteran trained by Christophe Ferland proved too experienced on the day.
Ferland's older mare, who had already secured a Group One triumph in the Prix Vermeille the previous year, displayed a level of composure and tactical speed that left Diamond Necklace unable to find a rhythm. In the final stages, the race came down to a tight finish with the Charlie Johnston‑trained Timeforshowcasing, piloted by Jack Mitchell, taking third place after a valiant effort.
Pierre‑Yves Bureau, the racing manager for the Wertheimer brothers, expressed his satisfaction: "We were delighted when she captured the Prix Corrida earlier in the season, 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 delivered a performance that confirmed her champion status. We look forward to seeing her as a broodmare one day, but for now we’ll enjoy her racing career." Aventure's victory over O'Brien's star performer earned her a 20/1 starting 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 against a third attempt at Europe's most prestigious middle‑distance race. Instead, the five‑year‑old 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 actually getting faster with age, and ten furlongs now seems to be her ideal distance.
She’s been prepared meticulously for this race. Our plan is to target the Prix de l'Opéra, and if everything goes well we may consider the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, but we’ll take it one step at a time." In related news, Senorita Bonita displayed a devastating turn of foot to claim victory in the Sumbe Prix Morny.
The 900,000‑guineas filly, bought at the April Craven Breeze‑Up sale and trained by the father‑son duo 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. Ridden by Oisin Murphy, Senorita Bonita was held towards the rear while the race unfolded. With Clive Cox's Royal Ascot champion Orthodox leading the early pace, the Starspangledbanner offspring had a long way to make up on Aidan O'Brien's front‑running Carry The Flag. When Murphy finally asked for acceleration, the filly responded instantly, closing the gap and then pulling away decisively to secure a commanding win.
Simon Crisford praised his charge: "She showed an excellent 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 the bridle early, but the race suited closers and she proved the best of them. At the halfway point I briefly thought we might face a mountain to climb, but her finishing speed was evident at the furlong pole, and she finished powerfully." This victory marks the second Group One success for the Crisford training operation after Vandeek's win in 2023, and it continues the strong record of fillies in the Sumbe Prix Morny, following Venetian Sun's triumph for Karl Burke a year earlier.
The Victorious Racing‑owned Senorita Bonita now sets her sights on the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket, where bookmakers have offered her 5/2 odds. The race could see a rematch with Libertango and also feature recent York winner Sun Goddess. Crisford summed up the campaign: "All roads now lead to the Cheveley Park at the end of September.
It was a fantastic performance in a deep field, and we’re thrilled with how she ran. Any Group One win is a huge achievement, and we’re delighted for the staff, the owners Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid, and everyone involved. It’s a testament to the hard work behind the scenes." Both Aventure and Senorita Bonita illustrate the depth of talent present in European racing this season, with seasoned veterans and rising stars alike challenging long‑standing records and forging new legacies. Their connections are carefully plotting future campaigns, balancing ambition with the welfare of the horses, and fans can look forward to more thrilling contests as the season progresses.