Prix Rothschild

(Group 1)

AIDAN O’Brien gained quick compensation for the disappointment of Highland Reel’s fourth placing on sodden ground in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot as the following day at Deauville the determined Roly Poly ran on bravely to win the Group 1 Prix Rothschild.

It was a first success for the Irish maestro and Ryan Moore in the straight mile event and three-year-old fillies dominated their elders by filling the first two places.

In a blanket finish (the first four were covered by under half a length), Roly Poly held on bravely to account for Via Ravenna by a short neck with Siyoushake close up third in front of the favourite Qemah who did not sparkle on this occasion.

The John Gosden-trained Persuasive and Frankie Dettori had traffic problems back in fifth position while the well-fancied Usherette ran a strange sort of race one place further behind.

There can be few gamer than Roly Poly. She was winning a second Group 1 contest in just 16 days and appearing for the sixth time this season and the 14th occasion in her career. The field of 10 broke into two groups for the first three furlongs before merging with five left to run.

Roly Poly led the five runners up the centre and, most unusually, Usherette was taking the others along up the stands rail from a number one stall. Moore headed for the post with Roly Poly some way out and the daughter of War Front then knuckled down to her task and fought off all challengers.

“She always gives all and thrives on racing,” commented Moore before adding: “It was a tougher race than the Falmouth and the field was of better quality. Roly Poly improves with each race and that was her best effort to date.”

The filly was back at Ballydoyle from Deauville by the evening and O’Brien said last Monday: “She’s was in good form and well after the race. It looks like the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown for her now.”

Not of great stature, Roly Poly was meeting Via Ravenna for the second time and on both occasions the Irish filly came out on top. On very soft ground back at Deauville in May, Roly Poly took sixth place in the Abu Dhabi Poule d’Essai des Pouliches with Via Ravenna three parts of a length away seventh. They are both different propositions when ground is good or firmer.

Owner/breeder Andreas Putsch reported: “We’re delighted with the performance of Via Ravenna. She showed an impressive turn of foot and her jockey (Vincent Cheminaud) thought she’d have won over a slightly longer trip. No plans for the moment.”

Siyoushake was transferred to Freddy Head when Jonathan Pease decided to end his training career at the end of 2015. The following year, the mare finished fifth behind to Qemah in the Rothschild before picking up a couple of Group 3 events and she has taken a little time to come to hand this season.

Head said: “I thought she’d won for a moment. A magnificent mare with a big heart.”

Qemah herself ran a little flat. The Al Shaqab racing manager Harry Herbert offered no excuses and there is no future plan in place for the moment.

Considering her absence of nearly 11 months, Persuasive ran a cracker. “She was putting in her best work at the finish after finding trouble everywhere she went.” commented John Gosden. Sixth placed Usherette, has always come from behind in the past and was one paced late on having been well up for most of the way.