12 May 2024
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, May 12, 2024, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris) - Most of the €550,000 Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas, Gr1) prep races were run on very soft courses this season. With its fifteen runners, the French classic seemed wide open without a clear leader, especially given the doubts raised by the firmer ground.
With the Prix de la Grotte (Gr3) winner Candala opting out, her stablemate Rouhiya (Lope de Vega), third in her comeback in the Prix du Louvre, a Class 1 race, represented the green and red silks and the breeding of the Aga Khan in this event, drawing stall 10.
Starting at odds of 30/1…
Yet, it was indeed Rouhiya who held firm to secure the win against a trio of British and Irish challengers led by the early pacemaker, Kathmandu (Showcasing), who had just been beaten over 7f in the Nell Gwyn Stakes (Gr3) at Newmarket. This form line did not hold in the 1,000 Guineas, but an extra week to recover and a curved course might have allowed Kathmandu to perform her best, even though she had also been entered over 6f in the Prix Texanita (Gr3) five days after the Poule… Meanwhile, Rouhiya was among the entries for the Prix des Lilas (L), run the day before at Chantilly over the mile.
Well-placed throughout, the Irish filly Vespertilio (Night of Thunder), bred in France, made an impressive return alongside Romantic Style (Night of Thunder), always in contention and finishing closely in fourth. The margins at the finish (head, neck, and short neck) reflect how disputed the race had been.
Rouhiya's performance was nonetheless exceptional. The filly started well and moved alongside Kathmandu, soon covered by Romantic Style, the Prix Imprudence (Gr3) winner over 7f at Deauville. Entering the straight, she momentarily lost contact with the leaders but gradually recovered to clinch victory at the very end, overcoming Kathmandu, who was notably tenacious.
Rock’n Swing (Camelot), who had won the Prix du Louvre ahead of Rouhiya, lingered at the back for a long time and made up much ground between horses.
#Emirates #UAE Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr1) pour l’outsider Rouhiya (Lope de Vega) @AgaKhanStuds @GraffardRacing @maximeguyon_off qui repousse jusqu’au bout un trio britannique dans le premier classique français de la saison. pic.twitter.com/qCxCKu7qja
— France Galop (@francegalop) May 12, 2024
The fillies' season over the mile should be exciting!
Rouhiya is out of Rondonia (Raven’s Pass), a debut winner at three and later placed in Listed races at the end of her four-year-old season over 10f. Winning at Évreux and Pornichet, Rouhiya's elder sister, Rodainah (Le Havre), was sold for €130,000 at the Arqana breeding sales in December. A Camelot 2yo filly is in training with Francis-Henri Graffard, followed by a Sea The Moon filly.
Rouhiya won her second start in November over 6.5f on the all-weather at Deauville. Previously third on her debut over 7f at Saint-Cloud, after having to wait too long behind a curtain of fillies and against rivals who had already raced, she finished with a burst, narrowly missing second place. Entered in the Prix Miesque (Gr3) but ultimately the favourite on her return in her maiden, she triumphed in a few strides after seeming beaten.
It was a bit of the spectacle she offered us in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, won by the Aga Khan for the fifth time.
WHAT THEY SAID
Princess Zahra Aga Khan, owner and breeder of Rouhiya (1st) – Chantilly (Oise): "It's tremendous to win this Poule d’Essai! Last year, Francis-Henri Graffard had the insight to see her as a Poule contender. This week, we deliberated whether to run her in Sunday’s Poule d’Essai or Saturday’s Prix des Lilas at Chantilly. We think about the future, which means considering the breeding prospects, so we decided to take a chance on the Poule d’Essai. Her jockey, Maxime Guyon, rode a superb race, positioning the filly perfectly and conserving her energy wisely. Midway through the straight, the outcome was uncertain. For a breeder, producing a filly like her is extraordinary. It's the reward for decades of work. Classic winners are so important for breeding, especially over a mile. Our breeding operation is also celebrating the success of the stallions Zarak and Siyouni. Their success is no coincidence; it results from long-term effort, and many factors support their credentials on paper. It’s a chess game with nature, as my father likes to say. In our quest, we are aided by the fact that we do not need to follow trends."
Francis-Henri Graffard, trainer of Rouhiya (1st) – Chantilly (Oise): "What an incredible race! Despite the poor draw, everything unfolded perfectly. I told her jockey that she had a sharp but not very sustained turn of speed, so he waited and then made his move. Rouhiya had improved significantly since her comeback and had worked very well. I hesitated between the Poule d’Essai and the Prix des Lilas, but the princess advised me to go for the Poule d’Essai. This is my first Group 1 win for the colours, and in a Classic, no less."
Sam Sangster, owner of Kathmandu (2nd) – Great Britain: "It’s a fantastic performance. We purchased this filly last July. She needed time to adapt to her new environment but has been improving since she arrived home. She started her winning campaign late in November, and we gave her a short break. She undoubtedly inherits her fantastic temperament from her damsire, Galileo. She’s a superb filly with a bright future. Brian Meehan and I have been buying horses together for ten years. I’m thrilled for him and his team. We will likely go to Royal Ascot with her, aiming for the Jersey Stakes over a shorter distance."
Kieran Lalor, manager of Al Shira’aa Farms, owner of Vespertilio (3rd) – Ireland: "We are very pleased! Willie [McCreery] did a fantastic job getting her to peak today. The draw might not have helped her. She was a bit tense at the start but then settled well. She’s showing her best form and proving herself, which is very promising for the rest of the season, especially since she managed the trip well. We had questions about her ability to handle the mile, but those doubts are now dispelled. Congratulations to the winner's connections! For now, we’ll see how she recovers and discuss next steps. She enters the Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes at Ascot. Her owner would really love to race at Royal Ascot."
Charlie Appleby, trainer of Romantic Style (4th) – Great Britain: "I'm delighted! There were two concerns beforehand: the draw and the firm ground. She had performed well on heavy ground at Deauville in the Prix Imprudence, and, at two years old, her best performances came on soft ground. Her jockey, William [Buick], felt she was less committed today with the faster track. As for the distance, she managed it. We’ll consider the future, considering the ground, but the 1,400m Haras d’Etreham Prix Jean Prat is a possibility."