Prix Jean Romane: Outsider Grand Glory denies Audarya a repeat victory
- Planet Sport writer
- 22 August 2021
Grand Glory sealed a shock victory, overcoming last year's champion at odds of 33/1.
James Fanshawe's Audarya was denied a repeat victory by the narrowest of margins courtesy of outsider Grand Glory in the Darley Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville.
A surprise winner of the race herself 12 months ago, Audarya had gone on to prove herself a filly of the highest class, winning at the Breeders' Cup.
She arrived in Deauville with questions to answer, having disappointed at Goodwood - but looked sure to return to winning ways deep inside the final furlong.
Audarya had quickened up smartly under Ioritz Mendizabal to go clear, although she had been keen in the early stages and just began to tire close home.
But rather than the challenge coming from Nassau winner Lady Bowthorpe, who ultimately beat one home, or Ebaiyra, it was a 33/1 chance Grand Glory closing her down.
Big upset! Grand Glory runs down the gallant Audarya to win the Group 1 @DarleyEurope Prix Jean Romanet for @cristiandemuro and Gianluca Bietolini at @fgdeauville pic.twitter.com/flvy5Q0aGe
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 22, 2021
The pair flashed by the line together, before a short wait led to Cristian Demuro riding Gianluca Bietolini's five-year-old getting the verdict.
Fanshawe said: "Watching it live I had thought we had won, but we didn't so that was obviously disappointing. But that's the game.
"It was really good to see her run so well after the disappointment at Goodwood. She's back on form and she's run really well.
"We'll focus on today, Goodwood has gone and this should hopefully set her up for a nice autumn campaign.
"We'll take it a race at a time and aim for the Prix de l'Opera now. It would be nice if we got some better ground because her best form is on better ground.
"I hope there's another Group One in her if we keep her right."
