Horse Profile: Ramatuelle

Breeders' Cup Mile Scouting Report

(Editor's note: Originally published in the 2024 BRISnet Breeders' Cup International Report) 

Like fellow three-year-old filly Porta Fortuna in the Mile, Ramatuelle is an exceptionally consistent performer at the top level. But she’s likely to offer greater value, along with a clutch victory over older males in a Group 1 last out.

By Justify and out of Group 2-winning sprinter Raven’s Lady, by 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic victor Raven’s Pass, Ramatuelle has a pedigreed trainer too. Christopher Head is the son of Freddie Head, famed as the rider of two-time Mile legend Miesque and trainer of three-peating Goldikova. 

Christopher has already stamped himself as an outstanding horseman within just six years of going out on his own. He also has a grasp of the Southern California scene, having spent a couple of months with Julio Canani (himself the trainer of Mile winners Silic and Val Royal) during his formative period.

Campaigned by a group including the Infinity Nine Horses of NBA Hall of Famer Tony Parker, Ramatuelle was a smart juvenile who routinely tackled males – as the favorite – in 2023. After bolting up in her about five-furlong debut at Chantilly, she tried to wire a Saint-Cloud conditions race over an extra furlong and just got nailed by the talented colt Beauvatier.

Ramatuelle benefited by reverting to stalking tactics back at Chantilly and romped in the Prix du Bois (G3). Regular rider Aurelien Lemaitre tried to duplicate the early restraint in the Prix Robert Papin (G2), but could barely contain her in an attending spot in a race that didn’t go as fast early. Lemaitre had to turn her loose, to dazzling effect, as she blasted off. Ramatuelle concluded her season with a tough beat at the hands of British shipper Vandeek in the Prix Morny (G1) at Deauville. She swept to the front as the even-money favorite, only to be worn down in the shadow of the post on very soft ground.

Most of Ramatuelle’s 2024 campaign was likewise characterized by valiant efforts in defeat. Stepping up to about seven furlongs in the April 9 Prix Imprudence (G3), she raced too keenly off the layoff which likely told on the heavy going. She did pick up from her stalking position, but got outstayed a half-length by Godolphin’s Romantic Style. 

Ramatuelle suffered a positively brutal beat next out in the 1000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket. Given her established trait of a serious burst that must be well timed, she simply got the wrong trip down the Rowley Mile. The 9-2 chance chased the fast pace and made her move too far out, in a race that set up for closers. Ramatuelle nearly pulled it off, but the rising ground toward the finish caught her out. She just got run down by longshot Elmalka and Porta Fortuna in the final strides in a half-length heartbreaker. Had she been held onto longer, she might well have won. Note that the unlucky fourth, Tamfana, who had also placed just behind Ramatuelle in their mutual Imprudence prep, has gone on to become a veritable Group 1 soldier all year. 

Favored to turn the tables in the Coronation (G1) at Royal Ascot, Ramatuelle employed more patient tactics. That put her a little further back in an evenly-run race, where it would have been better to lie closer, and she checked in a better-than-appears third to Porta Fortuna. It’s worth wondering if the stiffer finish at Ascot might have sapped Ramatuelle’s stamina in any event, even if she’d had an ideal trip. 

Ramatuelle was freshened ahead of the Oct. 6 Prix de la Foret (G1) on Arc Day, where she finally scored an overdue big win. Enjoying the cutback to about seven furlongs, she traveled with her usual zest just behind the leaders, angled out into the clear, and drew off by three lengths from the venerable Kinross. She also exacted vengeance on her old foe Beauvatier, who was a late-running third.

With her touch of brilliance, Ramatuelle is just the type to excel in U.S. conditions. Her sharp speed, athleticism, and short-fuse burst should translate beautifully to a two-turn mile.