13 July 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
The Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1) was created in 1863. This year is its 151st running.
Eight runners answered the call and the likely favourite will be Japan (Galileo). The Irish will try to defend Kew Gardens' title last year for the Coolmore stud and their main trainer, Aidan O'Brien. The colt went on to win the St.Leger (Gr1) at Doncaster, the third classic of the English triple crown, and he continues this season at 4 as a regular feature amongst the best horses in Europe over 1m4f.
Japan, much like the winner of the Prix Eugène Adam (Gr2) Headman, has the profile of a summer revelation after a low-key start to the season. Winner of a Group 2 event at 2 in 2018, Japan started his 2019 season with a fourth place in the Dante Stakes (Gr2) at York, then he finished in a breeze in the Epsom Derby (Gr1), where he started at 20/1, failing only by half a length behind his stablemate Anthony Van Dyck, who has since been beaten in the Irish Derby (Gr1).
It was in the "Royal Ascot Derby", the King Edward VII Stakes (Gr2) that that Galileo's son completely revealed himself by winning by four and a half lengths.
In the absence of Sottsass, the French Derby-winner of the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) that will try the distance of 1m4f in September, and that of Headman, Japan has the profile ad hoc to take the helm at the head of a promotion that is still looking for a leader even now that the regular derbies are behind us.
The Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris more than any other race today is able to deliver the final verdict for this first part of the season. This is good as this year for the first time, the winner of the race will automatically be invited to participate in Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Undefeated before a disappointing 12th place in the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club, Slalom (Intello) seeks for his part redemption over a longer trip he seems to be bound toafter his last victory over the Prix Noailles (Gr3)'s extended 10f.
The Prix Hocquart Longines (Gr2), also run over 1m4f but at Chantilly on Prix de Diane Longines day, went to Al Hilalee, whose plans are unknown but is not here this time. His second that day, Soft Light (Authorized) finished well coming from off the pace. He had been well beaten by Slalom earlier in the season but like Japan, this representative of Claudio Marzocco is probably on the up.
Fourth in the Hocquart, the Aga Khan's Kasaman (Charm Spirit) was running for the second time only this season. He too can show some progress ...
Second to Headman in St. Cloud, Jalmoud (New Approach) had failed completely over the Queen's Vase (Gr3) 14f trip, where he did not stay. He had beaten Soft Light just before in the Prix de l'Avre (L).
Another representative of the Godolphin team with Jalmoud, Roman Candle (Le Havre) is trained by André Fabre, who has won the race five times since it takes place over 1m4F, that is since 2005. The colt has only finished fifth in the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club, maybe not in ideal conditions. From the same stable, but for the breeder-owner Khalid Abdullah, whose breeding operation Juddmonte Farms sponsors this race since 2001, In Favour (Frankel) has just won his first race of the season.
Japan's stablemate, Western Australia (Australia) has not really convinced this season. It will be Sunday's sixth outing of the year!
The start of the race is scheduled for 6:45pm British time on July 14, Bastille Day, as every year now, which will benefit from the media and popular support of a Garden Party music event.