The Race Sharp Stable Tour series from Chantilly continues with Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez (pictured, © Scoopdyga), who comes into 2022 off the back of his best season in terms of numbers, having saddled 33 winners last year.

Speaking to Race Sharp from his yard, Mauricio said:

“Last year was my best year in terms of winners and it was a reward for the whole team. I started as a trainer in Madrid before moving to San Sebastian, when I started to have runners in the South West of France. The Spanish property bubble had a big impact on racing there and that’s why I moved.

I was Champion Trainer in Spain and won everything there is to win. Our biggest triumph was undoubtedly Equiano in the 2008 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot – he was very quick! It showed that we could train in Spain, all that was missing were the good horses.

When I moved to France, I obviously spoke to the owners I had in Spain and their support was crucial. Some of my owners have been working with me for 25 years.”

Here are the horses that caught our attention this month, listed in order of age:

 

Simply Striking

6yo gelding (Kheleyf x Reech Band)

He has developed this bad habit of dwelling in the stalls! He got away with it on his reappearance in March at Chantilly, but that’s because he was so far ahead of the field and we won’t be able to in better company this summer. In a sprint you cannot give away three lengths at the start. It’s impossible.

He’s a magnificent horse with a big heart.

 

The Laureate

4yo colt (Solider Hollow x Gonwana)

He’s a smart horse and I hope he can be even better than a Quinte handicapper. He had a bad experience in 2021 at a time when he was still growing plenty but now he’s starting to find his form again slowly – understandable given that he had four months of box rest last year.

His second start of the season came in a Classe 3 event at Chantilly this month. He pulled loads and over-raced. He was only beaten by two very good horses, Twist and Cosmas, and will continue to progress.

I really like him.

 

Crowdfunding

4yo colt (Siyouni x Vintage Red)

He’s a good horse but unfortunately he’s quite ground dependent. He wants quick ground or an artificial surface. Last season we began in great style at Fontainebleau but then he came out of the Prix Djebel badly, which was run on bad ground, despite it being described as ‘good’.

He needed a few months to recover and I’m glad he’s in better order this year. He won on his reappearance at Chantilly but then he had a rough trip on his next start in March, finishing a good fourth.

He will be tough to place. He could progress into a Listed horse and I hope he will do well in big handicaps this summer.

 

Territorywar

3yo colt (Territories x War Story)

We rate him highly. We started him over 6 furlongs but we think he could get 7 furlongs or even a mile this year. He’s a horse that we need to take our time with.

 

Masiel

3yo filly (Dabirsim x Macarella)

She’s from a family we know well – I’ve trained the dam and her sister. The family is stamped with quality and a turn of foot. We think she could be a Black Type prospect this year.

 

Inishnee

3yo filly (Al Wukair x Al Kirana)

There isn’t much too her which is why I think she has gone through claimers for two different trainers. She has a huge heart and I’m sure she will get Black Type this year. She’s the type of story that we love in racing – she was originally purchased for the Spanish 1000 Guineas.

 

Roselyne

3yo filly (Dariyan x Bal De La Rose)

She wasn’t quite right last month for a Classe 2 at Saint-Cloud, which is why she was scratched. Unfortunately that makes our race planning much more difficult, so I will keep looking for the right race to bring her back in.

I would say she’s probably my best horse at home and my biggest hope for this season. I’m hoping to get her to the French 1000 Guineas but if we do make it, we are going to have to go for a prep race and I won’t be able to leave much to work on afterwards.

 

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Il Ritorno

2yo colt (Territories x Miss Eva)

He will start off quite soon and goes well at home. He could be the first of my 18 juveniles to race this year.

 

Vicious Harry

2yo colt (Harry Angel x Umneeyatee)

He’s going well and will be another that will be out soon.

 

Matilde

2yo filly (Cracksman x Macarella)

She’s a half sister to Masiel and we are really pleased with her at home. She should make her debut in the summer.

 

Black Paws

2yo colt (Invincible Spirit x Supreme Seductress)

He was a 50,000 guineas purchase from Tattersalls last year – cheap for an Invincible Spirit but we like him.