Zelzal’s We’ll Defend Impresses with TDN Rising Star Display at Chantilly

[Wandering Eyes]

There were fireworks on Chantilly's Tuesday afternoon card as Carlos and Yann Lerner trainee We'll Defend (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}–Skysweeper {Fr}, by Hurricane Run {Ire}) illuminated proceedings with a taking four-length 'TDN Rising Star' performance in the Prix de la Serpentine, a 9 1/2-furlong contest for unraced fillies.

The G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane entry was under heavy restraint through the early stages and raced in a handy fourth, behind a sedate pace, for the most part. Cruising forward on the bridle in the home straight, the 3-5 favourite loomed large out wide passing the quarter-mile marker and quickened clear in impressive fashion inside the final furlong to easily overpower Integretas (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) by daylight. We'll Defend becomes the first 'TDN Rising Star' for her Haras de Bouquetot-based sire (by Sea The Stars {Ire}).

“This is a filly we have loved since day one and she would have run last year if not for a minor setback,” explained trainer Yann Lerner. “We were quite confident for this first run and, if all is well, she will run next time in the Prix Durban at Saint Cloud. That is a Class 1 race for fillies, it's the same program we followed with her [half-] sister La Parisienne and we'll see where we go from there.”

We'll Defend is the eighth of nine foals and seventh scorer from as many runners produced by a half-sister to dual G3 Abu Dhabi Championship winner GM Hopkins (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the dual stakes-placed Zvarkhova (Fr) (Makfi {GB}). The April-foaled bay is kin to G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix Vermeille placegetter La Parisienne (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Listed Prix Vulcain victor Newlook (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), G3 Prix des Reservoirs third Scripturale (Fr) (Makfi {GB}), the stakes-placed Skycutter (Fr) (Scissor Kick {Aus}) and a yearling filly by Zarak (Fr). Scripturale is the dam of stakes-winning G3 Preis der Winterkonigin runner-up La Guapisima (Fr) (City Light {Fr}) while We'll Defend's third dam Renowned (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) is an unraced full-sister to dual Group 1-winning sire Mark Of Esteem (Ire).

2nd-Chantilly, €27,000, Mdn, 3-4, unraced 3yo, f, 9 1/2f (AWT), 2:03.03, st.
WE'LL DEFEND (FR), f, 3, by Zelzal (Fr)
1st Dam: Skysweeper (Fr), by Hurricane Run (Ire)
2nd Dam: Varsity (GB), by Lomitas (GB)
3rd Dam: Renowned (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
Sales history: €150,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG. *1/2 to Newlook (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), SW-Fr, $116,799; La Parisienne (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), MG1SP-Fr, $355,061; Scripturale (Fr) (Makfi {GB}), GSP-Fr; and Skycutter (Fr) (Scissor Kick {Aus}). SP-Eng, $159,394. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Victorious Racing & Fawzi Abdullah Ahmed Nass; B-Ecurie Haras du Cadran, SCEA Haras du Ma & Ecurie Patrick Klein (FR); T-Carlos & Yann Lerner; J-Christophe Soumillon.

 

“Notebook needed!”

Zelzal filly We'll Defend looks a very nice prospect on debut at @fgchantilly for Christophe Soumillon and Yann Lerner… pic.twitter.com/J6uokd8WsP

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 4, 2025

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