Memories Made In Matchem

Spinning Memories showed a smart turn of foot to land her first Stakes success when winning yesterday’s Listed Prix Matchem at Saint-Cloud.

The Arcano filly began her career in Ireland with Andy Oliver, winning a Naas maiden by five lengths, before continuing her career in France with Pascal Bary under the ownership of Pan Sutong Bloodstock. Fifth at Deauville in August, she has clearly progressed, as demonstrated by her willing attitude yesterday.

Settled in third by Christophe Soumillon, she raced close to the pace set by Vanbrugh (First Defence), with Love And Peace (Linngari) also in close order. Turning for home, Spinning Memories looked trapped behind horses, but Soumillon sat tight until a gap opened on the rail and she responded well to hit the front 300m out. At the line, she was three quarters of a length clear of the fast-finishing Mythical Magic (Iffraaj), who ran on well from mid-division, holding off Spaday (Exceed And Excel) by half a length in third.

Bred by Mubarak Al Naemi, Spinning Memories is the first foal out of a Hard Spun full-sister to a winner at up to an extended mile on dirt in the US, from the family of the dual US Gr.1 turf winner Winter Memories (El Prado).