Tropbeau was a determined winner of the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte at Longchamp earlier this month and the filly will line up in Monday’s French 1,000 Guineas at Deauville as outright favourite, a prospect that is “completely thrilling” for her owner, Lady Bamford.

A high-class juvenile, Tropbeau recorded two Pattern-race victories at Deauville before a fine third to Millisle and Raffle Prize in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.

The daughter of Showcasing’s performance on her first start of season, seeing off Dream And Do and Tickle Me Green in a tight finish, came as a surprise to her team.

Lady Bamford said: “She wasn’t expected to win. Andre Fabre, her trainer, said she’d come on for the run but when she came through, she was so brave and determined to win. It was a lovely surprise.

“There were so many wonderful messages from people and I’m even more lucky as I’m one of the only people to have had two winners this season. I had another one win at Deauville the other day, Queen Of Love, who wasn’t expected to win either! The season hasn’t even begun yet so it’s been a great start.”

Lady Bamford was drawn to Tropbeau at Arqana’s Breeze-Up Sale last year, when she was offered by Willie Browne’s Mocklershill outfit. Out of the Dansili mare Frangipanni, Tropbeau’s second dam is Group 1 sprint heroine Frizzante.

Through bloodstock agent Charlie Gordon-Watson, she was bought for €180,000 and duly entered the care of leading French handler Fabre. While the filly’s racing career takes centre stage at present, Tropbeau will ultimately join Lady Bamford’s broodmare band at Daylesford Stud.

Reflecting on the purchase of her Classic contender, Lady Bamford explained: “She was very athletic and by Showcasing. I needed some speed in my breeding line and I loved Dansili as a broodmare sire. We knew the person who had bought her as a yearling at Tattersalls and he thought a lot of her. The whole thing seemed to fit together.

“We’ve never looked back. Andre likes her very much, I couldn’t have a better trainer of course, and I know her breeder, Lord Margadale, who is just as excited about this as I am.

“There’s a couple of good ones in the race, the Aga Khan has one [Simeen]. There’s competition – it’s a Guineas. If she runs well and comes on for the race, I’d be highly delighted.

“To have the favourite for the French 1,000 Guineas is completely thrilling.”

While Lady Bamford has been able to have runners in France since racing resumed earlier this month, the owner-breeder has plenty of prospects to look forward to in 2020 with British racing’s return imminent.

“I’ve got some with John Gosden that I’m quite excited about, including Disco Fever. I’m going to bring out King Of Comedy again, who is a real comedian and I hope he’s learnt a few lessons during the winter. He went to Mark Todd who calmed him down quite a bit, so we’ll see what he’s like this year.

“Magical Morning is another that Gosden likes and he’s out of The Lark, who I sadly lost this year, but we’ll look forward to seeing him. I’ve got a couple of nice ones with Michael Bell too – Mister Blue and Sunset Kiss.”