Diamond Necklace experienced 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 a daughter of St Mark's Basilica, had arrived in France with high expectations after an unbeaten six‑race campaign 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 win to her résumé after triumphing in the Prix Vermeille the previous year. In third place, close on the heels of the winner, was Charlie Johnston’s Timeforshowcasing, who delivered a strong performance under jockey Jack Mitchell. Pierre‑Yves Bureau, the racing manager for the Wertheimer brothers, praised the effort, saying, "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, with Diamond Necklace among the top fillies, yet our mare’s display was simply wonderful – she is 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 performer earned her a 20/1 quote from Paddy Power for the upcoming Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, following her second‑place finish behind Bluestocking in the 2024 edition of that race. However, the five‑year‑old will not attempt a third run in Europe’s richest middle‑distance contest. Instead, her connections plan to keep her at a distance of ten furlongs for the Prix de l'Opera on Arc day, with a potential trip to Keeneland later in the season.
Bureau explained the strategy: "It’s unusual, but this filly is actually gaining speed as she matures, and ten furlongs now suits her perfectly. She’s been meticulously prepared for this race.
Our immediate goal is the Prix de l'Opera; if everything goes well, we may target the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, but we’ll take it one step 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, purchased 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 Newmarket’s Duchess of Cambridge Stakes – a victory that had been bolstered earlier in the week by Libertango’s success in the Lowther Stakes. Ridden by Oisin Murphy, Senorita Bonita was held back early, while Clive Cox’s Royal Ascot winner Orthodox set the early pace. As the race entered its final third, the filly, a daughter of Starspangledbanner, began to make up ground 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. Crisford praised his charge: "She showed an excellent turn of foot. The early fractions were strong, but she finished superbly, galloping out with great vigor.
She was a little slow out of the gates and lingered behind early, but the race unfolded in a way that favored closers, and she proved the best of them. At the halfway point I briefly wondered if we had a mountain to climb, but her finishing speed was evident at the furlong pole, and she came home strongly." This victory marks the second Group One triumph for the father‑son training partnership after Vandeek’s success in 2023, and it continues the strong record of fillies in the Sumbe Prix Morny, following Venetian Sun’s win for Karl Burke a year earlier. The Victorious Racing‑owned filly now sets her sights on the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket, where bookmakers have offered her 5/2 odds.
That 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.
Senorita Bonita delivered a fantastic performance in a deep, deep renewal, and it was a truly pleasing effort. Any Group One victory is special, and we are thrilled. It reflects the dedication of the staff back home and everyone involved, and it’s a great honor to win for Shaikh Nasser (bin Hamed Al Khalifa) and Shaikh Khalid (bin Hamed Al Khalifa)." Both Aventure and Senorita Bonita exemplify the depth of talent currently thriving in European flat racing. Their connections are carefully plotting future campaigns that balance ambition with the horses’ optimal distances and conditions.
While Aventure may soon test herself against the world’s best turf mares in the United States, Senorita Bonita’s next target will be a classic British sprint, where she hopes to add another prestigious Group One title to her growing résumé. The coming months promise further excitement as these top‑class fillies continue to challenge expectations and write new chapters in their already impressive careers.