Godolphin Dominate French Classics – 300th G1 Winner

Tara Madgwick - Monday May 13
The global winning run enjoyed by Godolphin continued overnight in France at Longchamp when they won both of the French Guineas classics for colts and fillies and racked up their 300th Group I win worldwide.

The Group I Poule d'Essai des Poulains for was won by Kingman colt Persian King, who made it five wins and a second from six starts when taking the one mile feature by a length on heavy ground.

"The ground didn't help, as Persian King has a beautiful action, but he showed courage and consistency. He's a game horse as you can see. He's in all the big races, but the Prix du Jockey Club is very tempting and he looks like he'd stay another quarter of a mile," said Andre Fabre.

Bred by the Wildenstein family, Persian King ended last year as one of the most exciting horses in Europe on the back of his defeat of subsequent Group I winner Magna Grecia at Newmarket in the Group III Autumn Stakes, a performance which led Godolphin to buy a half share in the blue-blooded colt.

Castle Lady gives Godolphin their 300th Group I winner - image Godolphin TwitterPersian King is the first winner for Pretty Please, a three-quarter sister by Dylan Thomas to Group I winner Planteur from the family of Arc winner Peintre Celebre.

35 minutes after Persian King saluted, three year-old Shamardal filly Castle Lady won the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches by a nose to remain undefeated with three wins in as many starts becoming the 300th Group I winner for Godolphin.

Trained by Henri Pantall, she justified her 36,000euros supplementary fee to gain a start in the race and is quoted at 9-2 for forthcoming French Oaks next month, although she may stick to 1m with the Group I Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot a likely target.

A homebred for Godolphin, Castle Lady is a half-sister to stakes-winner Top Score and is the second winner from Elusive Quality mare Windsor County, a full sister to Godolphin's Group I Breeders Cup Classic winner Raven's Pass.





Advertisment
More Reading...
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Halo Racing Reduction features in November (Late) catalogue
Shares in reigning G1 Caulfield Cup champion Duke de Sessa, G1 Toorak Hcp winner Attrition and tomorrow’s G1 Railway Stakes favourite Light Infantry Man headline an exciting Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
One to Watch – Moonee Valley
This promising three year-old Cosmic Force filly made it wo wins in as many starts at Moonee Valley on Friday night with a tenacious display.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.