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West Wind (foaled 29 March 2004) was a British-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She did not race until she was three years old but established herself as a top-class middle-distance performe in 2007 when she won the Prix de Diane as well as running second in the Prix Vermeille and third in the Pretty Polly Stakes. She was retired from racing after running poorly on her only start as a four-year-old.
She was sired by Machiavellian who was the leading French two-year-old of 1989 when he was unbeaten in three races including the Conditions races Prix Morny and Prix de la Salamandre. As a breeding stallion his best winners included Street Cry, Almutawakel, Medicean and Storming Home and Chic. West Wind's dam Red Slippers showed high-class racing ability, winning three races including the Sun Chariot Stakes. She was a full-sister to the Jockey Club Stakes winner Romanov and a half-sister to Balanchine.
On 10 June at Chantilly West Wind was partnered by Frankie Dettori in the Group races Prix de Diane over 2100 metres at Chantilly and went off the 4.5/1 third choice in the betting behind Coquerelle (who had won the Prix Saint-Alary in May) and Vadapolina (Prix Cléopâtre). The other eleven runners included Cinnamon Bay (Prix d'Angerville), Believe Me (second in the Prix Saint-Alary), Sweet Lily (Silver Tankard Stakes), Mrs Lindsay (Prix Penelope) and Anabaa's Creation (Prix Isonomy). West Wind raced in mid-division before making progress in the straight, overcame interference to overtake the front-running Mrs Lindsay 300 metres from the finish and won by one and a half lengths. Dettori, who had won both the Epsom Derby and the Prix du Jockey Club on the previous weekend, said "It is crazy. I am delighted as it is the first time I have won the Prix de Diane, but also I have ridden Alex's first Group 1 winner. It is an historic day. West Wind ran a beautiful race. The trainer was very sweet on her before the race and she quickened beautifully as soon as I asked her". An emotional Pantall commented "It's been a long time coming", said Pantall. "All week I was really confident with the only slight worry about whether she would get a clear passage and not get blocked".
Less than three weeks after her win at Chantilly, West Wind was sent overseas for the first time to contest the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, a race which saw her matched against older fillies and mares. With Johnny Murtagh in the saddle she started the 7/2 second favourite and finished third behind Peeping Fawn and the four-year-old Speciosa. After a break of almost three months the filly was stepped up in distance for the Prix Vermeille over 2400 metres at Longchamp in which she was reunited with Johan Victoire. After being restrained towards the rear of the ten runner field she produced a strong late run but failed to overhaul Mrs Lindsay and was beaten three quarters into second place.
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