Zelzal Unleashes a Treble of Smart Juvenile Debut Winners

ZELZAL’s juveniles have made a powerful impression over the past few days, with three individual debut winners scoring in maiden company across France between 18 and 20 July. The progressive stallion, who stands at Haras de Bouquetot, continues to build momentum with his two-year-olds in 2025 — and all three winners shaped with promise for the months ahead. Now the sire of nine individual 2-year-old winners, ZELZAL currently tops the French sires’ table for juveniles by number of winners.

Moonlabel is one of 3 juvenile debut winners for Zelzal in as many day (credit Ascomgo)

The first of the trio to strike was MOONLABEL, who made a winning start in the 1,400m Prix du Lion d’Angers (Inédits) on Friday, July 18. Trained by Henri-François Devin for her breeders, Écurie des Pinsons, the daughter of Moonlight Swing (Palace Episode) was guided to a smooth victory by Dylan Provost. She pocketed €10,500 in prize money, and earned her full premiums for owner and breeder alike.

A day later at La Teste, it was the turn of SILICIUM to open her account in the Prix Gueuleton Arcachon (Inédits) over 1,400m. Ridden by Alexandre Gavilan for trainer Didier Guillemin, the filly is leased in partnership between AS&D. Allard and the trainer himself. She was produced late and decisively, scoring by two lengths to the delight of her co-breeders Khalifa M. Al Attiyah and Anthony Jathière. Out of the No Nay Never mare Zvolenska, she collected €10,500 for her victory, with nearly €18,400 total including bonuses.

Zelzal's Silicium impresses on debut at La Teste (credit Scoopdyga)

ZELZAL completed his juvenile treble when ZAMBEZI got off the mark in style at Vittel on Sunday, July 20, taking the Prix du Journal Le Cheval - Guy Robert (maiden, 1,600m) for trainer Tim Donworth. Owned and bred by Anita Wigan, the colt was confidently handled by Guillaume Trolley de Préaux and ran out a comfortable winner on debut. A son of Mersey (Kodiac), he overcame greenness in the early stages to outclass his rivals in the straight.

On a secondary note, ZELZAL was also represented by a fourth winner during the week, as four-year-old HUNGRY HEART landed the 1,850m Prix du Domaine de Sainte-Philomène – Prix de Jaligny (claimer) at Vichy on July 17. Trained by Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez and partnered by Maxime Guyon, the gelding struck for owner Cuadra Mediterraneo. Bred by Alain Durand, he is out of Hoh My Estelle (Sakhee). With three two-year-old debut winners in as many days and older horses still adding to his record, ZELZAL continues to underline his value as a source of precocity and class. The son of Sea The Stars is proving to be a consistent and versatile stallion across age groups and distances.