COOLMORE may have dominated the Guineas at Newmarket but Godolphin landed a classic double of their own at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.
First, Persian King justified Andre Fabre’s decision to sidestep Newmarket and stay closer to home by winning the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas).
Persian King delivers in the Group 1 Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains at @paris_longchamp… pic.twitter.com/ZxxNhQbo33
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 12, 2019
The Kingman colt was sent off a short-priced favourite and gave his supporters barely an anxious moment as he stamped his authority over the opposition.
William Haggas’ British raider Senza Limiti set a solid gallop from the outset, with the Paul Cole-trained Duke Of Hazzard and Shaman also close up.
Pierre-Charles Boudot had Persian King (2/5 favourite) well placed towards the far rail and timed his run to perfection in the straight.
The market leader quickened stylishly to pull clear of his rivals and have enough in hand to hold Shaman’s late challenge and give Fabre a seventh victory in the Poulains.
San Donato, trained in Newmarket by Roger Varian, was a creditable third.
FILLIES' CLASSIC
Later in the afternoon, Godolphin's Castle Lady maintained her 100% record with a convincing success in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp.
It’s a Guineas double for @godolphin as the unbeaten Castle Lady wins the Group 1 Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at @paris_longchamp… pic.twitter.com/TmCAYLW3ms
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 12, 2019
The dual winner asserted in the closing stages to give trainer Alex Pantall and jockey Mickael Barzalona a first triumph in the fillies' classic.
Unraced as a juvenile, Castle Lady only made her racecourse debut in March, when successful on Chantilly’s all-weather track.
She improved to take the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte over this course and distance and progressed again to lift the classic for Godolphin.
Commes was second for Jean-Claude Rouget, with Kevin Ryan’s challenger East running a big race in third place.
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