There was a distinctly Gallic flavour to the finish of the Pluck@Vinery Handicap for two-year-olds at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Making a winning career debut was Aylmerton, a son of Haras de Bonneval-based stallion Siyouni, who was ridden by Jean Van Overmeire for French-born trainer Jean Dubois.
Settled back just off the speed, Aylmerton powered home in the final 100 metres to defeat Bold Arial (I Am Invincible) by three-quarter of a length with I'm So Sweet (I Am Invincible) a long-neck back in third.
A homebred for Woodpark Stud, Aylmerton is the first foal of Aloona who was covered by Siyouni to southern hemisphere time.
A daughter of Smart Strike, Aloona is a half-sister to Group III winner Galatee (Galileo), who was purchased by John Ferguson on behalf of Darley for 1.4 million guineas at the 2007 Tattersalls Mare sale.
Galatee is the dam of The Queen's Group II Hardwicke Stakes winner Dartmouth and the Group II Grand Prix de Chantilly Manatee.
A Group I winning son of Pivotal, Siyouni has been a sensation in Europe posting 18 stakes-winners headed by Group I winners Ervedya and Laurens after starting his career
Siyouni (pictured) stands at The Aga Khan Studs, Haras de Bonneval in France this year at a fee of 75,000 euros, up from 45,000 last year.
