Al Shaqab Racing-owned filly MELLOW (Deep Impact x Harmonious) put up a solid effort when sealing a first career success in the Prix Du Haras De La Hume, a handicap for three-year-old fillies, at Saint-Cloud on Tuesday, September 14th.
Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, MELLOW benefitted from a substantial step up in trip and took the 3,000m in convincing style, under a fine ride from Hugo Journiac.
Quickly out of the stalls, MELLOW was keen through the opening 300m of the contest, but soon settled behind early leader MAKE MY DAY (French Fifteen). The latter took the eight-strong field along at a steady pace through the first 2,000m and there was little change to the order. MELLOW was always well-positioned on the leaders outside and travelled with plenty of zest. Inside the final 1,000m, the field began to group up and MELLOW moved to within a neck of MAKE MY DAY. As the field began to sprint in the home straight, it was clear that MELLOW was going best of all. Taking the lead inside the final 400m, she was pushed a length clear by Journiac and was always doing enough to hold off her rivals. MELLOW passed the post one and a quarter lengths clear of ARAZI (Bathyrhon) who stayed on well to take second, just outbattling the long-time leader MAKE MY DAY in third.
Bred by her owners Al Shaqab Racing, MELLOW is by deceased stallion DEEP IMPACT (Sunday Silence). Her dam, HARMONIOUS (Dynaformer) is a dual Group One winner and won both the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keenland (USA) and the Group One American Oaks at Hollywood Park. As a broodmare, she has produced AJAYEB (Frankel), a winner and placed second in the Listed Prix Caravelle at Toulouse.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club