6 September 2020
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, September 6, 2020, ParisLongchamp. - An unexpected scenario led to a resounding victory for Persian King (Kingman) in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Gr1), for the winner's return over the distance of his French Two Thousand Guineas win. Trained by André Fabre, who now has saddled 7 winners in the race, Persian King followed the fast pace set by defending champion Circus Maximus (Galileo), who went away with his #1 draw and took several lengths to the field. Irish 3-year-old Siskin (First Defense) led the rest of the peloton in their distant wake, around three lengths, and as Persian King started early in the home stretch, his pursuers quickly fell behind. Pinatubo (Shamardal), until then held in the rear, finished made up a lot of ground but had to settle for second place at almost two lengths, Circus Maximus remaining third at six lengths.
Trained in Chantilly by André Fabre, bred by the Wildenstein family, who sold a share to Godolphin earlier in his career, Persian King was regarded as one of the most promising 2-year-olds in Europe after winning a Group 2 in Newmarket. At 3, he won the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3) and then the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Gr1). Second to Sottsass in the 2,100 metres-long Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1), he did not reappear that season. Rather disappointing for his comeback this year, since he was beaten in the Prix de Montretout (L) over one mile, he had redeemed himself in the Prix du Muguet (Gr2), and had confirmed in the Prix d'Ispahan (Gr1) before a below-par experience in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois (Gr1).