Allez France

This brilliant filly was a true queen to French Racing. She paid a tribute to her father Sea Bird, the greatest European Racehorse of the Century. Without doubt, she made the greatest impact by any filly in France in horse racing in recent years. The great filly lived upto her name by being a true ambassador to her country.

The great filly was owned by the international art historian, Daniel Wildenstein. At first Albert Klimscha trained her at Chantilly, but later Angel Penna trained her.

In her 3 year old career, she clinched the 1,000 Guineas, the Oaks and the Prix Vermeille, however, in the Arc, despite starting firm favourite she was outclassed by Rheingold.

In her 4 year old career, Penna was given charge of Allez France. The filly performed with brilliance. She triumphed in the Prix d'Harcourt, the Prix Ganay, the Prix d'Isapahan, the Prix Foy, and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

In the Prix d'Harcourt, she toyed with the English colt, Ksar and the champion racemare, Dahlia.

In the Prix Ganay, she thrashed Dahlia by a further margin, by 15 and a half lengths, the champion racemare finishing 5th. In that race, she conquered her rivals like an empress conquering territories. In the straight, she was traveling so strongly on the bridle that it seemed inevitable she would outpace her opponents. After Yves Saint-Martin urged her, she simply flew like a bird to win by a spectacular 5 lengths. Dahlia, in that season she scored a historic win in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winning by a head in a sensational finish.

In the Prix d'Ispahan, inspite of being several lengths behind the leader, she gave a spectacular burst of speed, accelerating like a rocket propelling into the air, to win by a length to Margouillat. At the beginning of the straight, the filly was 15 lengths behind. Her acceleration was reminiscent of a tornado bursting.

In the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, she faced Paulista, the 4 lengths Prix Vermeille winner, Mississipian, 4th in the French and Irish Derby, Busiris, the French St Leger winner, Sagaro, the Grand Prix de Paris winner, Highclere, the French 1,000 Guineas and Oaks winner, On My Way, runner up to Dahlia in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud, Recupere, the Prix du Cadran winner and Tennyson, runner up in the Prix Ganay and Prix Foy.

In the big race, she was drawn 15, a position which is considered a disadvantage. Valdo set the pace forging ahead of Riot in Paris and Coup de Feu. After a few furlongs, Valdo was followed closely by Busiris, Coup de Feu, Riot in Paris, Margouillat, Sagaro, Paulista and Tennyson.

Allez France had just five behind her dozen lengths behind the leader. Half a mile from home, she made a move on the outside. The filly simply shot forward like a missile fired to draw level with the leader Busiris on entering the straight. Allez France strode into a sizeable lead.Margouillat, Kamaraan and Paulista challenged her but to no avail. However, like a flash of Lightning Copmtesse De Loire challenged the leader a furlong from home. Like an soldier fighting a battle to the end Allez France held on to snatch a famous victory.

In the unsaddling enclosure the mare received the ovation of an empress being cheered after her country had won a famous battle. It was one of French Racing's most emotional moments seeing the Daughter of Sea Bird Crowned Europe's Empress.

In her 5-year-old career, she continued to race, however after some successes in the middle of the season, she faced defeats in the Arc and the Champion Stakes where she finished 5th to Star Appeal and 2nd to Rose Bowl, respectively, although she won a new Prix Ganay and the Prix Dollar.

The great mare raced in America as a 6 year old running in the Santa Anita handicap, but abroad she was hardly successful.

In 21 starts, Allez France won 13 times winning Usd 493,000 in Prize money. She beat the great Dahlia on six occasions.

Amongst the all-time greats, the place amongst mares is undisputed.She could join the Pretty Polly, Meld and the Oh So Sharp. In comparison with Dahlia although she beat the great racemare on all six occassions, Dahlia's performances out of France were phenomenal, in Britain, USA and Canada.

Allez France never ran well out of France. Timeform gave Allez France a rating of 136, the highest rating awarded to any French Filly in recent years. The manner she swooped over her rivals like an eagle in big races will be etched in the minds of racing fans forever.

Allez France 1970	Sea Bird II	Dan Cupid	Native Dancer
			Vixenette
		Sicalade	Sicambre
			Marmelade
	Priceless Gem	Hail to Reason	Turn-To
			Nothirdchance
		Searching	War Admiral
			Big Hurry