2 France Group 1s: Filly Venetian Sun wins Morny vs. Outfielder
England-based Venetian Sun, the only filly in the field, proved dominant on the Deauville turf Sunday when she won the six-furlong, Group 1 Prix Morny, France’s most prestigious summer race for 2-year-olds.
The pace was set by Coppull, and the field gradually shifted toward the center of the track under his impetus seeking the best ground. But Coppull quickly gave way, and U.S. colt Outfielder, sired by Speightstown and ridden by David Egan, attacked on the rail only to reveal a lack of fitness to truly contend. Victory ultimately came down to three horses on the outside, and it was Venetian Sun who prevailed.
Owned by Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy, Venetian Sun is a Starman filly who won by a short neck over post-time favorite Gstaad, trained by Aidan O’Brien. Wise Approach took third. Outfield, trained by Wesley Ward for owner and former baseball player Jayson Weth, settled for fourth in the field of six.
The powerful filly brought an eighth France Group 1 success to trainer Karl Burke. It was the very first top-level victory anywhere for jockey Clifford Lee.
Raised in Sidcup, England, by a cleaner and a handyman, Clifford Lee did not come from a racing background. His passion for horses was inspired by his uncle Ted Baker, a show jumper who taught him to ride in exchange for help with the horses.
In his youth, Lee also boxed, becoming a four-time regional champion. He attended the racing school at Newmarket, where he learned the basics of the sport.
After two years with trainer Ed Walker when he managed just two wins, Lee’s career turned around when he became Burke’s stable jockey at Middleham. His mentor has called him a “new Pat Eddery.”
Until Sunday, Lee’s ultimate goal had been a Group 1 victory. His best effort had been a close second with White Lavender two years ago in the Prix de l’Abbaye sprint at ParisLongchamp. Now the dream has become reality.
In 2025, Lee is enjoying a 17% strike rate, his best, with 68 wins from 406 rides. He looks set to easily surpass his career-high 84 wins achieved in 2024.
Quisisana shines in Romanet
In the 1 1/4-mile Prix Jean Romanet (G1) for fillies and mares, there was only one competitor to be seen. Quisisana.
The 5-year-old, bred and owned by Jürgen Winter’s Haras de la Perelle, trained by Francis Graffard and ridden by Christophe Soumillon, left her rivals no chance.
After waiting patiently in a second rank toward the outside, she put pressure on pacesetter Cankoura at the at the top of the stretch and strode away to win by 1 3/4 lengths.
Survie finished strongly to snatch second place by the narrowest of noses from Grand Stars in third.