Five lengths off the winner when fifth contesting November’s G1 Japan Cup, last term’s G1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine and G1 Prix de l’Opera second Grand Glory had since gone through the ring and realised the second-highest price at Arqana’s December fixture, behind Opera victrix Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) once again, selling for €2.5-million.
She went postward in fresh silks as a 2-1 chance for this seasonal return and loosened the rust to claim a second success in the contest. Off the pace and under a firm hold in seventh with just one rival behind through the early strides, she powered forward out wide in the straight to launch her bid approaching the final furlong and quickened smartly in the closing stages to win with plenty in hand.
« Grand Glory had taken her trip to Japan very, very well, she had wintered nicely and was ready for this, » explained trainer Gianluca Bietolini. « She is very strong, mentally, and that makes a difference. She will now follow the programme for older fillies and mares with the [G3] Prix Allez France next, then the [G2] Prix Corrida, [G1] Prix Jean Romanet, and so on. If all goes well, of course. »
Grand Glory, kin to last term’s Listed Prix du Ranelagh winner Bois d’Argent (GB) (Toronado {Ire}), notched his fifth black-type win here and is the leading performer produced by a daughter of Listed Coupe des Pouliches runner-up Maria de la Luz (GB) (Machiavellian). Maria de la Luz, who also threw GII Canadian S. victrix Minakshi (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), is a half-sister to the dual stakes-placed dam of G1 Crown Oaks heroine Arapaho Miss (Aus) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Arapaho Miss, in turn, is the dam of G1 VRC Oaks heroine Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}). Grand Glory’s third dam Light of Hope (Lyphard) is a fullsister to GSW sire Alzao (Lyphard) and hails from the family of Preakness S. hero and champion sire Tom Rolfe (Ribot {GB})