Survie made history at Saratoga and defeated colts in the Christophe Clement Turf
- Turf Diario
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Barely two weeks after capturing the Glens Falls (G2), the George Boughey-trained mare shone once again at Saratogawith a devastating late rally. She became the first female since 1988 to win the event, securing an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf
SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York—Neither a short turnaround nor facing colts could stop Survie. Barely two weeks after capturing the Glens Falls (G2), the George Boughey-trained mare made another massive impression at Saratogaby taking the Christophe Clement Turf (G1-2400m, turf), a race renamed this year to honor the late French conditioner.
The race, known until this season as the Sword Dancer Stakes (G1), also offered a Win and You're In berth for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), slated for October at Keeneland—a target now firmly secured for the daughter of Churchill. The victory also carried a historical milestone, as Survie became the first female to win the contest since Anka Germania (Malinowski) in 1988.
"She was fantastic, wasn't she? She had to be very good to win from where she was, especially with such slow fractions," Boughey remarked. "She had been trained with this race in mind, and the Glens Falls proved to be the perfect prep. Today she arguably showed an even better turn of foot."
Owned by Michael B. Tabor, Survie had made her United States debut on August 2 with a dominant victory over fillies and mares in the Glens Falls over the same course and distance, that day under Flavien Prat.
With the Frenchman committed to Program Trading (Lope de Vega) for this race, riding duties fell to Manny Franco, who executed the strategy to perfection. Waiting until the last possible moment, he angled the 5-year-old wide in the stretch to sweep past the field and score by three-quarters of a length, stopping the clock in 2m31s55/100.
"The trainer told me: 'Don't rush her, give her time, and come late. Ride her like Flavien did.' That was exactly what I did," explained Franco, who earned his second victory in the event after winning in 2020 with Channel Maker(English Channel).
Boughey was thrilled with the ride. "Stamina is one of her strengths, and she also has that change of gear that made us think she could overcome any scenario. Manny gave her the best possible trip from a tricky spot. She lost ground on the backstretch, but she was very brave. That lethal turn of foot is crucial in the United States."
Breaking from the outside post, Survie was tucked away at the rear of the field as Ole Crazy Bone (Twirling Candy), recent winner of the Bowling Green (G2), set comfortable fractions of 26s24/100, 52s56/100, and 1m18s98/100 over a yielding turf course.
The mare looked slightly uncomfortable entering the backstretch and dropped to last, while Program Tradingadvanced to sit near Minaret Station (Instilled Regard) and the pacesetter.
After a mile in 1m43s92/100, Minaret Station began pressing Ole Crazy Bone, and Program Trading was called upon to accelerate. Survie, however, still trailed the field.
Everything changed in the decisive stages. Past the 2000-meter mark in 2m07s70/100, Franco angled Survie outward, bypassing favorite Ancient Egypt (Frankel)—who had compromised his chances with a poor start—and once in the clear, her signature weapon went to work.
Minaret Station and Program Trading locked in battle and collared Ole Crazy Bone inside the final 200 meters. Minaret Station briefly stuck his head in front, but down the center of the course came Survie with a blistering late rally.
The daughter of Churchill blew past them to win decisively, with Franco starting his celebrations before crossing the wire.
Minaret Station held second by a half-length over Program Trading, while Ancient Egypt rounded out the superfecta. Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile) and Ole Crazy Bone followed, with Fort George (Territories) scratched.
Heavy Friday rainfall proved no obstacle for the winner, as Boughey highlighted.
"She is very versatile regarding ground conditions. She has won on firm and soft in Europe, as well as on synthetic, and she has trained very well on dirt since arriving here. She adapts to almost anything," he noted.
The trainer also reserved special praise for work rider Antonia Peck, who accompanied Survie from England.
"Credit must also go to Antonia Peck, who rides her every day at home and has been here for several weeks. She is an excellent exercise rider and presented the mare impeccably to produce a G1 performance," he stated.
Now, the main target is etched in stone: the Breeders’ Cup Turf. "The plan was always to run her twice here, ship her back home, and prepare her for Keeneland. I want her to return, rest a bit because she doesn't need heavy conditioning, and then head back with the rest of the team for the Breeders’ Cup," Boughey explained.
Survie was purchased for $2,636,068 at last year's Tattersalls December Mare Sale and kicked off 2026 with a win at Lingfield, before finishing third against males in the Neom Turf Cup (G1) over 2100 meters in Saudi Arabia.
She subsequently finished sixth, just 3 1/2 lengths behind Map of Stars (Sea the Stars), in the Wolferton Stakes (L) at Royal Ascot, before launching this flawless American campaign.
Her story carries a deeply emotional footnote: in 2024, while under the care of Nicolas Clement—brother of Christophe Clement—she had captured the Prix de Malleret (G2) at ParisLongchamp.
Now, in a race renamed to honor the memory of the revered conditioner, Survie authored another monumental chapter in her career.
Two starts at Saratoga, two graded wins, and now a G1 triumph against colts. From Europe to the United States, Boughey's mare did not merely validate her quality—she ensured she will head to Keeneland as a formidable contender for the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
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