Tag Archive for: ParisLongchamp

Hopes high for Haatem in ‘hot’ Listed affair at Longchamp

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Richard Hannon’s Haatem travels to France for the Prix de Montretout at ParisLongchamp on Thursday.

Winner of the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood as a juvenile, last year he finished third in the 2000 Guineas and second in the Irish equivalent before winning the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Fifth to Dancing Gemini in his return from the best part of a year off at Sandown last month, he is one of seven runners in the Listed race.

“It looks a hot race to me, there’s a French Guineas winner (Marhaba Ya Sanaafi), Quddwah for the Crisfords has shown good form and Narkez, it’s more like a Group Two,” said Richard Brown of Wathnan Racing, who own Haatem.

“He needed the run on his first start back and William (Buick) looked after him. The idea was to come here and have a confidence booster, but it’s not that simple!

“Hopefully he’ll run a good race and we’ll find out where we’re at with him, but this is a pretty serious Listed race.

“He’d been off a long time before Sandown and he’s a big, slightly stuffy horse. The ground had been watered so it was dead. William rode him to win and he got tired. It was obviously a hot race, Dancing Gemini ran great in the Lockinge and Lead Artist came and won it.

“Richard thinks he’s taken a good step forward from Sandown and hopefully he’ll run with credit.”

James Doyle will be in the saddle having returned from an injury-enforced spell on the sidelines, and Brown added: “I’m looking forward to seeing him, he’s a bit of a favourite for myself and lots of people.

“He ran very well in our Guineas, was just beaten a head in the Irish Guineas and then we were putting a square peg in a round hole at Ascot when we thought his class would help him get away with seven furlongs in the Jersey, and we just about did.

“Then he had a niggle, so we put him away.”

Shes Perfect connections consider appeal over French 1000 Guineas demotion

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Connections of Shes Perfect are ready to appeal her demotion in Sunday’s French 1000 Guineas, with the focus being on Mickael Barzalona’s ride on the eventual winner Zarigana.

The Charlie Fellowes-trained filly sparked scenes of wild celebration from members of the Basher Watts Racing syndicate after passing the post a nose in front of Francis-Henri Graffard’s hot favourite in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, but their joy was short lived.

Barzalona lodged an objection after returning to the weighing room and following a stewards’ inquiry, the placings were reversed, leaving Shes Perfect’s owners and Fellowes crestfallen at ParisLongchamp.

Fellowes, who also saddled Luther to finish a close-up fourth in the French 2000 Guineas on the same afternoon, said: “I still feel very, very proud of my two horses. If you’d offered me walking into the track second and fourth I’d have snapped your arm off, so we can’t be disappointed.

“Obviously to think that you’ve won your first Group One and a Classic to boot, and have it taken away the way it was, is heartbreaking. It probably still hasn’t really sunk in if I’m completely honest.”

The stewards explained their decision to Fellowes on the day and while the handler accepts interference took place, with Shes Perfect drifting left into the fourth home Exactly which then impeded Zarigana over a furlong out, he feels Barzalona’s decision to slap the winner down the neck with his hand inside the final furlong after dropping his whip should be looked at.

“Essentially you can’t not accept what the stewards said. We definitely veered off a straight line and we definitely caused interference up the home straight. For anyone to deny that is kidding themselves, but that in my opinion only tells half the story,” Fellowes added.

“First and foremost, we think it was a very long way away from the winning line and Zarigana had more than enough chance to get back up and go past. We also just want clarification on the rules of how you’re allowed to ride a finish in a race, because Mickael Barzalona pulls his stick through and hit Zarigana twice with his stick before dropping it, which is nobody’s fault other than his.

“It wasn’t a result of contact or anything like that, it was pure jockey error.

“He then straightens his filly up and uses his hand to hit the filly in the last furlong and that doesn’t quite sit right with me at this stage, because he has done that to try to encourage his horse to run faster and I don’t really see what the difference between slapping your horse down the neck to using your stick is.

“The rules in France clearly state that you’re allowed to use your stick four times I think, anything over that and the jockey is subject to a ban and a fine, and then I think over nine it’s disqualification.

“She’s been hit twice with the stick and then I think 12 times with his hand, so 14 altogether. I think it sets a very dodgy precedent if it’s allowed to stand because jockeys are going to start going to the max with their sticks and then putting their stick down and slapping them. I don’t think anyone in racing wants that.

“I don’t know what the rules are, that’s what we’re interested to find out, and that will be the basis of our appeal.

“We’re still speaking to a few people trying to get some opinions. You can’t deny there’s interference, I think it would be stupid to base an appeal around that because there is interference, but I think Zarigana has got closer to us than she would have done because of the riding of Mickael Barzalona and I don’t think that riding was within the rules myself.”

Basher Watts with Shes Perfect at Charlie Fellowes' stables
Basher Watts with Shes Perfect at Charlie Fellowes’ stables (Basher Watts)

Whatever the result of a potential appeal, Fellowes is excited to see what the future holds for both Shes Perfect and Luther and insists the experience will not put him off returning to France.

He said: “With She’s Perfect will be a decision between the Prix de Diane, if we want to step up to 10 furlongs, or the Coronation Stakes (at Royal Ascot).

“We’ll see what happens over the next week and see how she comes out of it. The Prix de Diane is the weekend before the Coronation, so we’ve got plenty of time and we’re not in a rush to make a decision.

“With the colt we’re probably leaning towards the Prix du Jockey Club at this stage – I think it’s fair to say we have unfinished business in France!

“We’ve had a great time over there and we’ve been looked after impeccably by the French. They really put a huge amount of effort in with the syndicate that own Shes Perfect and we love racing in France.

“What happened on Sunday definitely won’t stop us going over there. If anything, it makes us even more determined to go back there and get in the winner’s enclosure.”

Classic anguish for Fellowes as Shes Perfect is demoted in France

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Charlie Fellowes described his “heartbreak” after Shes Perfect was demoted from first place in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp.

The daughter of Sioux Nation has taken members of the Basher Watts Racing syndicate on quite a journey since she was purchased for €50,000 at the Arqana Breeze-Up sale exactly a year ago and earned herself tilt at Classic glory finishing a close second to the reopposing Zarigana in the Prix de la Grotte over the course and distance last month.

Zarigana was a hot favourite to confirm her superiority in the French 1000 Guineas, but just as she had done four weeks ago, Shes Perfect found herself in front from an early stage in the hands of Kieran Shoemark and she had plenty of her rivals on the stretch rounding the home turn.

For a few strides the daughter of Sioux Nation looked like a sitting duck in the straight, but to her credit she kept responding to Shoemark’s urging and while Zarigana came at her fast and late, Shes Perfect passed the post a nose in front.

The victory sparked scenes of wild celebration in the ParisLongchamp winner’s enclosure, but that joy proved short lived as Zarigana’s rider Mickael Barzalona lodged an objection after the race and following an inquiry, the result was amended.

Fellowes, who earlier in the afternoon saddled Luther to finish a close-up fourth in the French 2000 Guineas, told the PA news agency: “Obviously at the moment it’s heartbreak more than anything.

“I thought I’d won my first Group One and I don’t really know what to think at the moment. I’ve seen the replay and in England I don’t think the result would be changed, but we know the French rules are stricter than ours.

“There definitely was a bump, but did it affect the result? I don’t believe so, but the stewards felt that it did.

“I am extremely proud of both horses and the team at home. To have horses finish fourth and second in two Classics, they have run out of their skins and there’s brighter days ahead, but to have it taken away at this stage is heartbreaking.”

On whether connections will consider a potential appeal, Fellowes added: “I don’t know the rules, I need to get some advice from people that are better placed in France than I am and we’ll go from there.

“If we think there’s any point in appealing then we’ll have to consider it, but it’s not my area of expertise.”

France Galop’s Samuel Fargeat explained the stewards had assessed two incidents, the first involving Shes Perfect, fourth-placed Exactly and Zarigana, who all appeared to get close, before the last two fillies also came together towards the line.

The stewards decided the first incident had impacted the result but the second had not, and Zarigana’s trainer Francis-Henri Graffard felt his filly had been “unbalanced at the wrong time”.

He told Sky Sports Racing: “Obviously it was a tough few minutes and we don’t like to win like this and I feel sorry for the connections of Shes Perfect because they had the joy, but this is sport and this is racing and it has happened to me in the past.

“To be fair, my filly, when she came (with her challenge) she got really unbalanced at the wrong time and in the end it was only a nose.

“It was a decision in the stewards’ room, but I’m very happy for this filly especially. There was a lot of expectation and she deserves a win like that. It would have been very frustrating to be second and beaten a nose and for the team at home it’s really good.

“It’s quite hard to really enjoy it, it’s more like relief than proper joy.”

Zarigana could now make an appearance at Royal Ascot, with her trainer adding: “We’ll have to discuss it, I’m not sure she needs to be stepped up in trip, so if we decide to stick to a mile we’ll go to Ascot for the Coronation Stakes with her.”

Classic heartbreak for Shes Perfect after French Guineas demotion

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Zarigana was awarded the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp after the Charlie Fellowes-trained Shes Perfect was demoted following a stewards’ inquiry.

Francis-Henri Graffard’s Zarigana had come out narrowly on top when the pair met in the Prix de la Grotte over the course and distance last month and was a hot favourite to confirm her superiority in the French 1000 Guineas.

But just as she had done four weeks ago, Shes Perfect found herself in front from an early stage in the hands of Kieran Shoemark and she had plenty of her rivals on the stretch rounding the home turn.

For a few strides the daughter of Sioux Nation looked like a sitting duck in the straight, but to her credit she kept responding to Shoemark’s urging and while Zarigana came at her fast and late, Shes Perfect passed the post a nose in front.

However, scenes of wild celebration in the winner’s enclosure from Shes Perfect’s owners, the Basher Watts Racing syndicate, proved short lived as Zarigana’s rider Mickael Barzalona lodged an objection after the race and following an inquiry, the result was amended.

Graffard told Sky Sports Racing: “Obviously it was a tough few minutes and we don’t like to win like this and I feel sorry for the connections of Shes Perfect because they had the joy, but this is sport and this is racing and it has happened to me in the past.

“To be fair, my filly, when she came (with her challenge) she got really unbalanced at the wrong time and in the end it was only a nose.

“It was a decision in the stewards’ room, but I’m very happy for this filly especially. There was a lot of expectation and she deserves a win like that. It would have been very frustrating to be second and beaten a nose and for the team at home it’s really good.

“It’s quite hard to really enjoy it, it’s more like relief than proper joy.”

Zarigana could now make an appearance at Royal Ascot, with her trainer adding: “We’ll have to discuss it, I’m not sure she needs to be stepped up in trip, so if we decide to stick to a mile we’ll go to Ascot for the Coronation Stakes with her.”

Henri Matisse fends off Jonquil in French Guineas thriller

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Henri Matisse got the better of a thrilling tussle with Jonquil to claim Classic glory in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp.

A strong raiding party crossed the Channel for the French 2000 Guineas, with Aidan O’Brien’s Breeders’ Cup hero Henri Matisse at the head of the market following his successful reappearance at Leopardstown at the end of March.

Held up off a strong gallop early on by Ryan Moore, the Wootton Bassett colt made his move from the home turn and quickly ate up the ground to grab the lead inside the final two furlongs.

Andrew Balding’s Greenham Stakes winner Jonquil, who had been ridden more prominently by Oisin Murphy, managed to keep himself in the fight and briefly looked set to come out on top as the post loomed, but Henri Matisse triumphed by a head on the line.

O’Brien told Sky Sports Racing: “We were delighted. He’s a horse that doesn’t like to be in front too long and obviously it was a nice, even pace and we were hoping it was going to be like that because he was going to be ridden back (in the field).

“When the pace is strong and even, usually if you have the best horse you have a chance. There was going to be no traffic for everybody, but when you’re riding back you’re never sure you’re going to get there. I’m never confident, I’m always hopeful, but Ryan gave him a brilliant ride.”

O’Brien, claiming his sixth winner of the race and first since St Mark’s Basilica struck gold in 2021, also saddled the third home Camille Pissarro, with the Charlie Fellowes-trained Luther not far behind in fourth.

Aidan O'Brien won his sixth French 2000 Guineas with Henri Matisse
Aidan O’Brien won his sixth French 2000 Guineas with Henri Matisse (Mike Egerton/PA)

Coral cut Henri Matisse to 6-1 from 8-1 for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, and O’Brien added: “I think he could be a miler and we think that he’s probably going to be a St James’s Palace horse, but obviously the lads (owners) will decide that.

“Christophe (Soumillon) thought his horse (Camille Pissarro) could be a French Derby horse, so the lads will probably split them up and see what happens, but there is every chance Henri Matisse could go to Ascot for the St James’s Palace.”

Moore said: “They went a good gallop and it sorted the race out. He travelled very well, very comfortable, he picked up well and I always felt like he was going to win.

“He’s a horse with an awful lot of ability, he was good in America last year, he was good on his comeback and I think he’s getting better.

“There’s a chance he’ll get further, but he’s pacey and he’s got a lot of gears.”

Henri Matisse could clash with Jonquil again at Ascot, with Balding considering both the St James’s Palace and the seven-furlong Jersey Stakes.

He said: “Oisin gave him a brilliant ride. It’s obviously frustrating not to win, but the horse ran a huge race. We now have quite a few options. He’s entered in the Jersey Stakes and the St James’s Palace Stakes – we need to figure out which race will suit him best.”

Sangster aiming to send his career into Orbit

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After coming close to 1000 Guineas glory at Newmarket last weekend, Ollie Sangster will take another bite of the Classic cherry when Celestial Orbit heads to ParisLongchamp for the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.

The Manton handler – who is the grandson of the late owner-breeder Robert Sangster – came up agonisingly short in his quest for both a first Classic and Group One success when Flight and Simmering finished second and third respectively behind Charlie Appleby’s Desert Flower on the Rowley Mile.

However, he has been encouraged by the drawing of stall two for his impressive Star Stakes winner, who travels to the French capital on the back of a fine reappearance second to Zanzoun in the Nell Gwyn Stakes.

Ollie Sangster is keen to break his Classic duck
Ollie Sangster is keen to break his Classic duck (Mike Egerton/PA)

Sangster said: “She’s been in great form since the Nell Gwyn and seems to have taken a nice step forward from that run.

“I think the mile will be a positive for her and we are happy with the draw we have out in Paris. It was good to soft when we declared and it will be interesting to see what it is like, as she wouldn’t want anything too quick. That would be a slight concern, but other than that it would be all systems go.

“She had been off since last July when she ran at Newmarket and we always knew there would be a nice step up from her first run to her second of the season. If she can step up from that like we believe she has, we feel she goes there with a real each-way chance.”

Also seeking both a first Classic and Group One is Charlie Fellowes, who will saddle the Basher Watts Racing-owned filly Shes Perfect with Kieran Shoemark on board.

Shes Perfect was beaten just a neck by Francis-Henri Graffard’s big-race favourite Zarigana in the Prix de la Grotte last month, with Newmarket handler Fellowes optimistic of another bold bid.

Fellowes said: “In the Prix de la Grotte, Shes Perfect was making her comeback and really delighted us with her performance. We knew she would improve from the race, and her recent gallops confirmed it.

“The field is top class, but we have a consistent, straightforward filly who always gives her best. You could say she lives up to her name!

“It’s a dream to run in a Classic, both for me and the owners. I think there will be about 60 supporters for her on Sunday.”

Exactly was a winner at Leopardstown in October
Exactly was a winner at Leopardstown in October (Brian Lawless/PA)

Aidan O’Brien has assembled a strong team, with Ballydoyle number one Ryan Moore electing to ride Exactly, who was runner-up at Leopardstown on her return but a close-up third in both the Moyglare Stud Stakes and over this track and trip in the Prix Marcel Boussac at the highest level last term.

Before that, she had played second fiddle to stablemate Bedtime Story in the Debutante Stakes and Silver Flash Stakes, with that Royal Ascot-winning juvenile partnered by Colin Keane on this occasion.

Merrily (William Buick) and Heavens Gate (Sean Levey) complete O’Brien’s raiding cast from Ireland.

French hopes firmly lie with Graffard’s pairing of the aforementioned Zarigana and unbeaten Mandanaba, who created a real buzz when making all in the Prix Vanteaux last month.

The former is a granddaughter of French great Zarkava, who won this for Alain De Royer-Dupre in 2008, and Graffard hopes to maintain family honour.

He said: “Zarigana needed her seasonal comeback. She’s really blossomed and looks magnificent. Having come on nicely from her last race, everything is in place for Sunday. Her preparation has gone without a hitch.”

On his other contender, he added: “Mandanaba is a small filly, very well put together, with lots of strength. She has quality and definitely has every right to take her chance in the Poule d’Essai.

“The shorter distance won’t be an issue for her. Princess Zahra was very supportive of running both fillies in the Classic.”

Juddmonte bidding for Guineas redemption in France

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Eight days on from a narrow reverse in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, owner-breeders Juddmonte are double-handed in their bid for victory in the French equivalent at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

Hot favourite Field Of Gold flashed home when beaten half a length by Ruling Court over the Rowley Mile last Saturday and connections will be hoping for better fortune this weekend, with his John and Thady Gosden-trained stablemate Detain and Andrew Balding’s Jonquil contesting the Poule d’Essai des Poulains.

Jonquil appears Juddmonte’s number one hope following his successful stable debut in last month’s Greenham Stakes at Newbury, while Detain has his sights raised after winning a valuable conditions race at Chelmsford on his first start as a three-year-old.

Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s European racing manager, said: “Jonquil was impressive when winning the Greenham and Andrew had been very happy with him in the lead-up to the race. His work had been good, so he delivered what we had been expecting, which was good.

“We think the track on Sunday will really suit him and the ground is fine, so we would be hopeful of a good run.

“Detain won a very strong race at Chelmsford and it was a big pot of prize-money, so it was well supported. John and Thady had both said to me back in February that was the plan, to go to Chelmsford and then on to France.

“John and Thady were keen to avoid soft ground as we found at Doncaster last year (when sixth in the Futurity Trophy) he doesn’t like it and it was always the plan to start on the all-weather before hopefully getting nice ground in France.

“I thought he did it well at Chelmsford and I imagine there will be plenty of improvement to come from that run as well.”

Henri Matisse is well fancied for the French 2000 Guineas
Henri Matisse is well fancied for the French 2000 Guineas (Brian Lawless/PA)

Detain renews rivalry with the runner-up from Chelmsford, the Charlie Fellowes-trained Luther, while Aidan O’Brien runs Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Henri Matisse, as well as Camille Pissarro and Serengeti.

Another leading contender from Ireland is Jessica Harrington’s Hotazhell, who won four of his six juvenile starts, including a narrow Group One success over Derby contender Delacroix in Doncaster’s Futurity Trophy in late October.

“We’re drawn two, which I’m happy with rather than 18, and he’s fairly straightforward, so we’re hoping for the best,” said Harrington.

“His preparation has been very straightforward. Good to soft ground would be ideal, I think it might be a bit tighter than that, but he’s won on good ground.

“I can see him going a mile and a quarter, but we’ll see how Sunday goes first.”

The raiding party is completed by Charlie Appleby’s Aomori City, who was last seen finishing third behind Field Of Gold in the Craven Stakes, while the chief hope for the home team appears to be Ridari, winner of two of his three starts for Mikel Delzangles in the colours of the Aga Khan Studs.

Nemone Routh, the owner’s racing manager in France, said: “Ridari has been doing well since his win in the Prix de Fontainebleau. Mikel Delzangles finds that the colt has calmed down, especially in his morning work.

“He’s a horse who can be keen, which is why he wears a hood. So it’s very positive if he’s calmer in training, and we hope he behaves the same in the afternoon.

“He’s in good form. There are a lot of runners, so it won’t be easy, but if we get a good run we believe he can run well.”

Perfect opportunity for Shoemark Classic redemption

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Social media influencer Basher Watts is thrilled to provide Kieran Shoemark with the opportunity for Classic glory aboard Poule d’Essai des Pouliches contender Shes Perfect, as connections prepare for a huge afternoon at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

Shoemark has so far partnered the Charlie Fellowes-trained daughter of Sioux Nation in two of her three career starts, including when denied a neck by Francis-Henri Graffard’s French 1000 Guineas favourite Zarigana in the Prix de la Grotte last month.

“I’m delighted to have ‘King Shoey’ on board and he knows her better than anyone, he knows her off by heart,” said Watts.

Basher Watts with Shes Perfect at Charlie Fellowes' stables
Basher Watts with Shes Perfect at Charlie Fellowes’ stables (Basher Watts)

“It’s very exciting and she did her last piece of work on Wednesday. Hopefully all the Is are dotted and Ts crossed and she’s ready to go.

“Zarigana could be very special and just beat us fair and square again, but a lot didn’t go our way last time and I would love to see her get a little bit of cover just off the pace. We’re not just going there to take part, we’re going to give it a proper go.”

Shoemark’s performance aboard 2000 Guineas favourite Field Of Gold was subject to wide debate, with the rider subsequently losing his position as number one jockey to John and Thady Gosden after the Clarehaven team announced they would be adopting a ‘best available’ policy moving forward.

However, Watts is hoping Shes Perfect could provide the perfect tonic for the 29-year-old as he gets the chance for Classic redemption in the French capital.

Kieran Shoemark aboard Field Of Gold
Kieran Shoemark aboard Field Of Gold (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Kieran has done so much for us as a syndicate and it is the cherry on top of a special weekend for us to have him on board her – one man’s loss is another’s gain,” continued Watts, with Shoemark also poised for the leg up on Fellowes’ French 2000 Guineas candidate Luther.

“There’s so many possible fairytale stories for us on Sunday and Charlie has never won a Group One before, it will be my first-ever Group One runner with just the second horse I’ve had and Kieran has obviously had a bit of a rough week, so it could be huge for everyone – we’re nervous but also very excited.”

Watts has developed a strong following on TikTok and Instagram and set up Basher Watts Racing on the back of his social media success and interactions with followers.

Many of his followers have become members of the racing club and they are preparing to take ParisLongchamp by storm.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable to be heading over again and there were 22 of us last time but near 60 of us this time and you just get a sense around the yard that this is the pinnacle, this is the big one,” added Watts.

“For me, the trial was the pressure race and we had spoken about having to suck it up if she was beaten 10 lengths or finished last. We were always hopeful she was a group horse but we didn’t quite know and she definitely threw her hat in the group mix and now we can hopefully enjoy Sunday.”

Late setback scuppers Zanzoun’s Classic bid

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Zanzoun misses Sunday’s Poule d’Essai des Pouliches after a late setback was discovered following exercise on Thursday morning.

John and Thady Gosden’s Nell Gwyn heroine was all set to bid for Classic honours at ParisLongchamp on Sunday after her impressive display in the Newmarket trial, but could now face a spell on the sidelines.

“She was a little off after exercise this morning, John and Thady called to say after she cantered they weren’t happy with her and she looked a little tight behind,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“When you are not in peak condition, you can’t be heading off to the races, so we will have to sit and wait and diagnose whether it is muscular or something a bit more – and when she tells us she’s ready, we will make a plan then. Unfortunately, she’s just not ready for Sunday.

“This only all unfolded at 7am this morning, so we will just have to wait and see what comes out during the next couple of days.”

Juddmonte and Clarehaven will still be represented in the French capital on Sunday by Detain, who is one of a strong hand for the owners in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, with Andrew Balding’s Greenham scorer Jonquil also set to contest the colts’ Classic.

Plans for Field Of Gold are still to be finalised
Plans for Field Of Gold are still to be finalised (Mike Egerton/PA)

The performances of that duo could have a bearing on where 2000 Guineas runner-up Field Of Gold could be seen on his next start, with the respective teams soon to finalise the next steps for Juddmonte’s legion of top-class prospects.

Mahon continued: “We sort of said we wouldn’t fully discuss plans until after Sunday and we had said Cosmic Year would go to the Irish 2,000 Guineas after winning the King Charles II Stakes and that still looks the main target for him.

“But Field Of Gold, no, we said we would sit down with John and Thady after France on Sunday once we’ve seen how the other horses run. The owners will be there and we will all discuss it and come up with a plan.”

Kind draw key to Gosden French Guineas hopes with Detain

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Having hit the crossbar with Field Of Gold at Newmarket, John Gosden is willing the draw gods to be kind when Detain flies the flag for Clarehaven in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains on Sunday.

The son of Wootton Bassett impressed on the all-weather at two before a below-par display in the Doncaster mud rounded off his juvenile campaign.

But after a winning return at Chelmsford in the Cardinal Stakes, the talented colt is now back on the Classic trail and is one of 21 contenders to stand their ground for the ParisLongchamp Classic.

“He’s in good form and is French Guineas-bound,” said Gosden, who trains the colt alongside son Thady.

“That’s where we plan to send him, and I think the track will suit him.”

He added: “The only thing about the French Guineas is, well just please draw a single number, because if you get from 10 out to 16 or 18, you may as well trot back.

“I used to walk the track every year with Frankie (Dettori) and if you ever stand at the start over a mile at Longchamp, you’ll see what happens to the track, it immediately turns right downhill, and you have to stay straight. Those on the inside have already taken two lengths out of you and it can be a problem, the mile start at Longchamp.”

Detain might not be the only Juddmonte-owned colt crossing the Channel for action in the French capital, with Andrew Balding’s impressive Greenham Stakes winner Jonquil still in the mix.

“Hopefully the rain stays away from Longchamp and he seems in good form,” said Balding.

“We were expecting a good run at Newbury and he’s been working like a high-class horse.”

Other potential challengers from the UK include Aomori City from Charlie Appleby’s in-form team, Charlie Fellowes’ Luther – who was not far behind Detain at Chelmsford – and Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Harvey.

Brian Meehan’s Rashabar misses the race, however.

Aidan O’Brien has left in Rock Of Cashel, Henri Matisse, Officer, a winner at the Curragh on Monday, Serengeti and Camille Pissarro, while Jessica Harrington’s Hotazhell is another potential runner.

There are 16 left in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, with O’Brien able to choose from Bedtime Story, Exactly, Merrily and Heavens Gate.

Ollie Sangster, second and third in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, has left in Celestial Orbit, with Zanzoun another big player for the Gosdens and Fellowes set to field Shes Perfect.

Vertical Blue and Zarigana form part of the home team.

Fabre has King George crown in sight with Sosie

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The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot is one of the options under consideration for Sosie, after providing Andre Fabre with a ninth victory in the Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp.

A Group One winner in the Grand Prix de Paris last summer before following up in the Prix Niel, the Sea The Stars colt rounded off his three-year-old campaign with fourth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

With Arc runner-up Aventure having made a triumphant return to action in the Prix Allez France, Sosie carried the same colours of Wertheimer and Frere for the first Group One of the European season and after initially being settled in midfield, he took over the lead with three of the 10 and a half furlongs to run.

Map Of Stars, who was the 6-5 favourite to complete a hat-trick following Group Three and Group Two wins this spring, was doing his best work at the end of the 10-furlong contest, but Sosie had enough in hand to hold on by a neck under Maxime Guyon.

Fabre told Sky Sports Racing: “I’m delighted because it was his first race of the year and the distance was a little bit short for him, but he had enough class to win it.

“I hope he can go for the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the King George, these type of races.

“He prefers good ground, he wouldn’t handle it too soft, but with age it changes as they get stronger.”

Paddy Power cut Sosie to 16-1 from 20-1 to win the Arc at the second attempt, a race Fabre has won on a record eight occasions.

Maxime Guyon enjoyed a big-race double at ParisLongchamp
Maxime Guyon enjoyed a big-race double at ParisLongchamp (John Walton/PA)

Guyon, completing a big-race double following his earlier success on Aventure, said: “The most important thing (for Sosie) is the ground. The ground is good today, he’s really massive and in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe the ground was a bit too soft for him.

“Today was really perfect. He’s really easy to ride, he has a good mentality and he can improve after this race for sure.

“Aventure is a little bit smaller and not as strong, but she has a really big heart and last year she ran amazing all the time and finished second in the Arc.

“She is a really good filly and like Sosie you can go in front or get cover, she’s perfect.”

Shes Perfect just denied Prix de la Grotte glory

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Charlie Fellowes was bursting with pride after seeing Shes Perfect push star French filly Zarigana close in the Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp.

Zarigana looked a potential superstar in the making after winning her first two juvenile starts for Francis-Henri Graffard, but suffered a nose defeat at the hands of her stablemate Vertical Blue when stepped up to Group One level for the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend in October.

She was again an odds-on favourite for her return at Group Three level and travelled strongly throughout in the hands of Mickael Barzalona, while Shes Perfect was free in the early stages and was soon bowling along in front under Kieran Shoemark.

It looked a question of how far Zarigana would win by when she produced with her challenge racing inside the final two furlongs, but Shes Perfect refused to go down without a fight and as there was only a neck between the pair at the line, Fellowes is eyeing a potential rematch in next month’s French 1000 Guineas – the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.

“It was a fantastic run, especially as I think that everything that could go wrong did go wrong,” the Newmarket handler said of the filly, who is owned by a syndicate established by social media influencer Basher Watts.

“We did not intend to lead and I think she did plenty in front, but the way she stuck to the line, put her head out and made a very, very good filly fight was really encouraging.

“When they turned into the straight I thought ‘God, we’re a sitting duck here’, but she’s got the heart of a lion, she’s talented and I think she loved that ground as well – being able to get her toe in a bit helps her.

“I think we’ll probably come back for the French Guineas, I don’t see why not. She’s entered, so we don’t have to supplement her or anything like that, and I’d take the winner on again. She’s very good, but we’ve been beaten a neck and I think she warrants a trip back here in May.”

Shes Perfect is owned by a syndicate led by social media influencer Basher Watts and Fellowes added: “Basher and the rest of the guys are absolutely over the moon.

“It’s a great story, 90 per cent of the people in that syndicate have never owned any part of a racehorse before and Bash is doing a great job. He’s bringing people into the sport, which is what we need, and he’s got his hands on quite a good filly.”

Paddy Power make Zarigana their 6-4 favourite for the Pouliches, while she is a 16-1 shot with the same firm for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard at Royal Ascot
Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Graffard told Sky Sports Racing: “With this filly there is so much expectation and it’s a shame we have a bit of pressure.

“Mickael said as soon as she saw daylight she changed gear very strongly and as soon as she hit the front she stopped, so that is why he had to touch her a little bit to get the job done today.

“She needed mentally to come back to the races big time, so I’m glad everything went well for her and we’ll regroup and have her spot-on for the big one (French Guineas).”

The French 2000 Guineas is on the agenda for the Mikel Delzangles-trained Ridari after swooping fast and late to claim Group Three honours in the Prix de Fontainebleau.

A winner on his second and final juvenile start at Chantilly in November, the Churchill colt faced a rise in class on his three-year-old debut, but quickened up smartly for Barzalona to get up and beat Sahlan by a nose.

Delzangles said: “I’m very pleased because he’s not an easy horse – he can be quite keen. The jockey really gets on well with him and gave him a really good prep race.

“We know how he behaves, but he’s able to deal with that and even if he was a bit keen, he managed to breeze and to quicken to finish.

“It’s a good lesson and a good prep race for the big one in four weeks.”

Barzalona made it a Group Three treble on the card and a four-timer overall by steering Christophe Ferland’s Uther to victory in the Prix Noailles.

Ferland said: “It’s very good to win today. The horse was fit, but he will progress and he’s a very nice horse from a nice family.

“The horse will do a mile and a half easily.”

Basher Watts syndicate hoping Shes Perfect is just that in Paris

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Social media influencer Basher Watts is preparing for a huge afternoon in France as his pride and joy Shes Perfect flies the flag for Britain in the Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp.

Trained by Charlie Fellowes and representing the syndicate which Watts heads, Shes Perfect is the only British-trained runner in action in the French capital on Sunday, where rivals include Francis-Henri Graffard’s exciting Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Zarigana – a granddaughter of the great Zarkava.

Watts said: “We’re rolling the dice and we’ll see, it’s a fact-finding mission. But we think really highly of her and at some point we’ve got to see properly how good she is, so why not do it at Longchamp.

“There’s plenty of us going over and we’re so excited and to be taking on horses like Zarigana in the Aga Khan colours is a dream.

“Zarigana looks a bit of a superstar so as long as Shes Perfect comes home safe and sound, we’ll enjoy it and party like there is no tomorrow.”

Shes Perfect holds entries for the French 1000 Guineas and French Oaks later in the summer, with connections hopeful they have picked the right starting point for the new season.

Watts explained: “When she ran at Goodwood last time out we almost didn’t run her as it was very heavy ground.

Charlie Fellowes is the trainer of Shes Perfect
Charlie Fellowes is the trainer of Shes Perfect (Mike Egerton/PA)

“However, Ryan Moore who rode her that day said she was absolutely fine on the ground, so we looked and thought there’s not many options for her here over a mile and the Prix de la Grotte looked the obvious choice.

“We know she goes on the ground, a mile should be ideal for her and we were thinking it’s often not the biggest of fields so could be weaker than a Group Three in Britain.

“She went and had a nice winter break and and she’s really strengthened and grown over the winter. She look a picture and she’s a big girl and we’re really hoping she will step forward as a three-year-old.”

Watts has developed a strong following on TikTok and Instagram, with his ‘an honest day’ content proving a hit with racing fans and social media lovers alike.

Basher Watts with Shes Perfect at Charlie Fellowes' stables
Basher Watts with Shes Perfect at Charlie Fellowes’ stables (Basher Watts)

It was the success of his social media channels and interaction from followers which persuaded Watts to set up the Basher Watts Racing syndicates, with his horses running in the white and dark blue silks of his beloved Tottenham Hostpur.

Watts said: “I’ve never had a horsey background, ridden a horse or grown up with ponies or anything like that. I’m just an avid racing fan.

“I started posting content on my TikTok just before the 2023 Cheltenham Festival and just managed to grow a nice base of viewers who enjoyed my content and also liked horse racing.

“I had shares in a few horses with syndicates myself and I used to post ‘an honest day as a racehorse owner’ and I then got loads of people asking how they get involved and who I would recommend they join as a syndicate owner.

“I ended up just putting it out there to see if anyone would be interested and it has always been a lifelong dream of mine to start my own syndicate.”

Now the 31-year-old and up to 20 of Shes Perfect’s syndicate members are ready to hit the continent for what could be a day to remember.

Watts added: “It’s like Christmas Eve at the moment for her owners. There’s about 45 owners in her and for the majority of them this is their first experience at owning a racehorse, so I keep trying to tell them it’s not this easy!

“The thing that makes syndicates really good is it is such a social thing and there will be 20 of us out in Paris. It will be a fantastic occasion no matter how she runs and to share that with such lovely owners makes it all the more special.

“I’ve a fantastic bunch of owners and my socials are really growing and hopefully we’re building something really special.”

Goliath warms up for Japan Cup by seeing off Hamish in Paris

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King George hero Goliath teed himself up for a planned tilt at the Japan Cup with a determined victory in the Prix du Conseil de Paris at ParisLongchamp.

Francis-Henri Graffard’s charge had not been seen in competitive action since his spectacular display at Ascot in late July, when he belied odds of 25-1 to readily account for the subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking and last month’s Preis von Europa victor Rebel’s Romance.

As a gelding, Goliath was unable to run in the Arc himself and with connections also deciding against a return to Ascot for the Champion Stakes, the Japan Cup was identified as his big end-of-season target.

Having missed a rematch with Rebel’s Romance in Germany after suffering a minor setback, the four-year-old was rerouted to a Group Two on home soil and was unsurprisingly a warm order in the hands of Christophe Soumillon.

Carrying the colours of John Stewart for the first time after the American owner purchased a significant share from Philip Baron von Ullmann in the wake of his King George triumph, Goliath was settled in third for much of the one-mile-three-furlong journey, with Maniatic and the William Haggas-trained Hamish the two in front of him.

A motionless Soumillon cut a confident figure in the saddle early in the home straight as he looked around for dangers – and while the admirable Hamish refused to go down without a fight and kept the hot favourite honest, Goliath took his measure late on and passed the post a cosy half-length winner.

Graffard told the PA news agency: “I couldn’t be happier with Goliath. The horse needed the race and it’s all part of his preparation for his tilt at the Japan Cup.

“I’m very happy, it was a good run and a good ride from Christophe and the horse will come on a lot.”

Beckett savours Bluestocking’s record Arc success for Juddmonte

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Ralph Beckett reflected on an “extraordinary” afternoon in Paris after Bluestocking carried the Juddmonte colours to a record seventh victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

There are few silks more famous than those of the late Prince Khalid Abdullah, with some of the greatest equine names the sport has ever seen carrying the green, pink and white with distinction in the world’s biggest races.

Rainbow Quest (1985), Dancing Brave (1986), Rail Link (2006), Workforce (2010) and the brilliant dual Arc heroine Enable (2017 and 2018) have all struck gold in Europe’s premier middle-distance contest, quite a list for Beckett’s superstar filly to join.

“It’s extraordinary really. I grew up watching Rainbow Quest and Dancing Brave, so to train a winner in these colours is a huge thrill,” said the Kimpton Downs handler.

“It’s a privilege to train for Juddmonte and to train an Arc winner for them as well is extraordinary.”

Bluestocking was just a yearling when Abdullah died at the age of 84 in January 2021. She was a winner on her only start at two and showed top-class form in defeat at three, but few would have marked her as a potential Arc winner until as recently as three weeks ago.

The daughter of Camelot was brilliant in winning the Group Two Middleton Stakes on her seasonal bow and broke her Group One duck in the Pretty Polly in Ireland.

However, she was clearly second best behind the remarkable Goliath in the King George and a fourth-place finish in a Juddmonte International won by City Of Troy had connections thinking Bluestocking might be best served going back against her own sex.

Bluestocking passes the post in front
Bluestocking passes the post in front (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

There was, though, a change of of heart following her never-say-die success over the Arc course and distance in last month’s Prix Vermeille, prompting the Juddmonte team to pay the €120,000 supplementary fee to book her ticket back to the Bois de Boulogne for the big one.

Beckett added: “I think after York we were going to go back to fillies only, but obviously she won what looked a strong Vermeille at the time and that gave us encouragement to come here.

“The fact that she really enjoyed the ground here three weeks ago was a positive as well and the fact that she came through that test was another positive.

“We were slightly taking it on trust that we could get her back for the Arc. It went pretty smoothly at home, but mostly because we didn’t ask her any questions – it was all about her well-being really.

“She came here in good form and I was pleased with the way she looked in the preliminaries. She’s just a real professional as she knows what’s required and has worked it out for herself, which makes our job a whole lot easier.”

Rossa Ryan celebrates with connections after winning the Arc
Rossa Ryan celebrates with connections after winning the Arc (AP/Michel Euler)

Beckett is no stranger big-race success, having enjoyed Group One and Classic glory at home and abroad.

Asked about his emotions as Bluestocking approached the winning line in Paris, he said: “I was expecting something to come and run her down late, as happened last year with Westover (finished second to Ace Impact).

“She actually hit the front earlier than Westover did and it’s a long straight, so that’s always a concern, but it was going to take a good one to go by her as she doesn’t give in easily.”

In contrast to Beckett, Rossa Ryan is still a relative newcomer when it comes to winning at the top level, with his maiden Group One victory aboard Shaquille in last year’s July Cup followed up by his two on Bluestocking earlier this season.

The Galway-born jockey has now proved his worth on the biggest of stages, though, with the more positive tactics employed three weeks ago again working a treat.

Ryan said: “When I dissected the form I was fairly confident, but I wasn’t confident enough to tell anyone!

“She fulfilled what I thought she possibly could and I’m just the lucky one to have been on her. There’s a lot of people involved that have done a lot more work than I have, I’m just here in front of you.

“In the Vermeille, being drawn where we were opened doors to us and it’s probably won us the Arc really and truly. The draw was key and she’s been jumping and settling well and once I got in behind Ryan (Moore, on Los Angeles) I got into a great rhythm and from there I had every chance to win, but at the same time we had to see what was really there and she didn’t let us down.

“To be honest, I was just praying to get to the line. She quickened and quickened well and kept going. She did it well, but for me it was just getting to the line as quickly as we could and thankfully we did.”

What the future now holds for Bluestocking remains to be seen, with connections keen to enjoy this landmark success before deciding on their next move.

“It’s unbelievable and a huge relief,” said Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon.

“More often than not, it (supplementing) doesn’t work out, but if Ralph was happy the owners were very keen to do it and he gave us the green light on Wednesday morning and it’s been a dream since.

“What’s next for her, I don’t honestly know. We discussed during the year that this could be her final season racing, but the owners will ultimately decide that in the next few weeks.

“For Juddmonte, Prince Khalid’s whole ethos was female bloodlines and broodmares. To win Juddmonte’s seventh Arc with a filly is very, very special.”