Henri Matisse in the frame for Ascot after capturing the French 2,000 Guineas for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore

Irish Independent

11-05-2025

A strong raiding party landed in Paris for the French 2,000 Guineas, with Aidan O'Brien's Breeders' Cup hero Henri Matisse at the head of the market following his successful reappearance at Leopardstown at the end of March.
Held up off a strong gallop early on by Ryan Moore, the Wootton Bassett colt made his move from the home turn and quickly ate up the ground to grab the lead.
Andrew Balding's Greenham Stakes winner Jonquil, who had been ridden more prominently by Oisin Murphy, managed to keep himself in the fight and briefly looked set to come out on top as the post loomed, but Henri Matisse triumphed by a head on the line.
O'Brien (above) said: 'We are delighted. He's a horse that doesn't like to be in front too long and obviously it was a nice, even pace and we were hoping it was going to be like that because he was going to be ridden back (in the field).
'When the pace is strong and even, usually if you have the best horse you have a chance. There was going to be no traffic for everybody, but when you're riding back you're never sure you're going to get there. I'm never confident, I'm always hopeful, but Ryan gave him a brilliant ride.'
O'Brien, claiming his sixth win in the race and first since St Mark's Basilica struck gold in 2021, also saddled the third home Camille Pissarro, with the Charlie Fellowes-trained Luther not far behind in fourth.
Coral cut Henri Matisse to 6/1 from 8/1 for the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, and O'Brien added: 'I think he could be a miler and we think that he's probably going to be a St James's Palace horse, but obviously the lads (owners) will decide that.
'Christophe (Soumillon) thought his horse (Camille Pissarro) could be a French Derby horse, so the lads will probably split them up and see what happens, but there is every chance Henri Matisse could go to Ascot for the St James's Palace.'
Moore said: 'They went a good gallop and it sorted the race out. He travelled very well, very comfortable, he picked up well and I always felt like he was going to win.
'He's a horse with an awful lot of ability, he was good in America last year, he was good on his comeback and I think he's getting better.
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'There's a chance he'll get further, but he's pacey and he's got a lot of gears.'
Meanwhile, Fellowes described his 'heartbreak' after Shes Perfect was demoted from first place in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches on the same card.
The daughter of Sioux Nation has taken members of the Basher Watts Racing syndicate on quite a journey since she was purchased for €50,000 at the Arqana Breeze-Up sale exactly a year ago and earned herself tilt at Classic glory finishing a close second to the reopposing Zarigana in the Prix de la Grotte over the course and distance last month.
Zarigana was a hot favourite to confirm her superiority in the French 1,000 Guineas, but just as she had done four weeks ago, Shes Perfect found herself in front from an early stage in the hands of Kieran Shoemark and she had plenty of her rivals on the stretch rounding the home turn.
For a few strides the daughter of Sioux Nation looked like a sitting duck in the straight, but to her credit she kept responding to Shoemark's urging and while Zarigana came at her fast and late, Shes Perfect passed the post a nose in front.
The victory sparked scenes of wild celebration in the ParisLongchamp winner's enclosure, but that joy proved short lived as Zarigana's rider Mickael Barzalona lodged an objection after the race and following an inquiry, the result was amended.
Fellowes said: 'Obviously at the moment it's heartbreak more than anything.
'I thought I'd won my first Group One and I don't really know what to think at the moment. I've seen the replay and in England I don't think the result would be changed, but we know the French rules are stricter than ours.
'There definitely was a bump, but did it affect the result? I don't believe so, but the stewards felt that it did.'