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, a daughter of St Mark's Basilica and trained by Aidan O'Brien, had entered the race with the expectation of adding another French Group 1 triumph to her impressive résumé, having already captured the Prix Marcel Boussac, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the Prix de Diane during an unbeaten six‑start campaign. Yet the seasoned veteran trained by Christophe Ferland proved too experienced, extending her own Group 1 record after a previous win in the Prix Vermeille.
A close third place went to the Charlie Johnston‑trained Timeforshowcasing, who delivered a strong performance under jockey Jack Mitchell. After the race, Pierre‑Yves Bureau, the racing manager for the Wertheimer brothers, praised the winner, saying, "We were delighted when she took the Prix Corrida earlier in the year, but we admit we made a mistake by contesting the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud over a mile and a half.
The field was strong, including Diamond Necklace, yet our mare was simply outstanding – a true champion. We look forward to her future as a broodmare, but for now we’ll enjoy her racing career." Aventure's victory over O'Brien's star turned her odds for the upcoming Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe into a generous 20/1, according to Paddy Power. However, her connections have ruled out a third attempt at Europe's richest middle‑distance contest.
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 explained the change of plans, noting, "It’s unusual, but this filly is gaining speed as she ages, and ten furlongs now suits her perfectly.
She has been prepared meticulously for this race. The intention is to run her in the Opéra and, if all goes well, consider the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. We will 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‑guineas filly, 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 triumph, which had been bolstered by a recent Lowther Stakes win from Libertango.
Held back early by jockey Oisin Murphy, with Clive Cox’s Royal Ascot winner Orthodox ahead, the Starspangledbanner offspring had a lot of ground to make up on Aidan O'Brien’s front‑running Carry The Flag in the final third of the race. When Murphy finally asked for more, Senorita Bonita responded instantly, not only erasing the deficit but pulling away decisively from the early pacemaker to secure a convincing victory. "She showed an excellent turn of foot," Crisford said. "The early fractions were quick, but she finished superbly, galloping out strongly.
She was a bit slow out of the gates and lingered behind early, but the race set up for closers and she proved the best of them. At the halfway point I briefly thought we might have a mountain to climb, but her acceleration at the furlong pole made it clear she would finish strongly." This win marked the second Group 1 success for the father‑son training partnership after Vandeek’s 2023 victory, and continued the strong record of fillies in the event, following Venetian Sun’s triumph for Karl Burke a year earlier.
Senorita Bonita, now owned by Victorious Racing, will target further top‑level honors in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket, where bookmakers have offered her 5/2 odds. The race could see a rematch with Libertango and also pit her against recent York winner Sun Goddess. "All roads lead to the Cheveley Park now at the end of September," Crisford added. "It was a deep, deep renewal and a truly pleasing effort; she looked impressive throughout.
Any Group 1 win is fantastic, and we’re delighted. It’s a testament to the staff back home and everyone involved, and a great victory for Shaikh Nasser (bin Hamed Al Khalifa) and Shaikh Khalid (bin Hamed Al Khalifa)." Both Aventure and Senorita Bonita exemplify the depth of talent in European thoroughbred racing this season. Aventure’s ability to end Diamond Necklace’s unbeaten run highlights her resilience and the strategic acumen of her connections, while Senorita Bonita’s explosive finish underscores the importance of patient riding and the value of a well‑timed late surge. As the summer campaign progresses toward autumn’s marquee events, fans can anticipate further thrilling performances, strategic campaign decisions, and perhaps more surprise upsets that keep the sport vibrant and unpredictable.
The upcoming Prix de l'Opéra and Cheveley Park Stakes will serve as critical tests for these mares, potentially setting the stage for international campaigns at the Breeders' Cup and beyond, where their proven class could be measured against the world’s best.