Sosie, last in, first out in Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan
PARIS ParisLongchamp racecourse played host on May 25 to a superb card featuring two Group 1 races, the €250,000 (S$365,000) Prix d'Ispahan (1,850m) and the €400,000 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (3,100m), as well as a Group 3 event, the 150,000 Prix du Palais-Royal (1,400m).
The Prix d'Ispahan was claimed by a colt who is already emerging as one of the leading contenders for the upcoming Group 1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2,400m), the world championship for thoroughbreds, set to take place at ParisLongchamp later this year on Oct 5.
Already the winner of the Group 1 Prix Ganay (1,600m) just a month ago, Sosie ($8) handled the Prix d'Ispahan with aplomb by delivering a highly promising performance.
With Maxime Guyon in the saddle, the Sea The Stars four-year-old, who was also supplemented late into the race, finished ahead of British raider Sardinian Warrior (Christophe Soumillon).
Next on his agenda is the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes (2,000m), at Sandown in England on July 5.
Thereafter, the focus will shift to preparing for the Arc.
"There was a slight concern if Sosie would have enough turn of foot for a race over 1,850 metres, which is a different test compared to 2,400 metres," said Pierre-Yves Bureau, representative of Wertheimer & Frere, the owner and breeder of the champion.
"Maxime made sure he was always well-positioned in the race. He was very impressive, and I believe he's simply very good.
"He's now reached full physical maturity. He looked absolutely magnificent.
"He comes from a staying family, but his dam was more of a miler."
Legendary trainer Andre Fabre said Sosie's late entry into the Prix d'Ispahan was to get a springboard towards the Eclipse.
"The Wertheimer brothers are keen to run him in the Eclipse. We had to test him over a shorter distance," said Fabre.
"I was delighted to see a horse who can run over a mile and a half and over to have enough speed to beat nice horses today."
Guyon was equally delighted with Sosie's ability to rise to the occasion over a trip which is not necessarily his strongest suit.
"It's fantastic. He was a little bit lazy over this distance, but he was very strong at the finish.
"I'm really happy because he proved he can go quick and win over both 1,850m and 2,400m.
"He's a real Group 1 horse and a real champion."
The Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, which was upgraded to Group 1 status in 2025, went to a newcomer at this elite level: Candelari ($16), racing in the colours of the Aga Khan Studs and trained by Francis-Henri Graffard.
With the operation's first jockey, Mickael Barzalona, serving a suspension, it was Clement Lecoeuvre who successfully stood in for the Frankel four-year-old.
This marks the jockey's first Group 1 win in France, having previously enjoyed success at this level in Germany.
"It's crazy for me, riding a horse like this. This horse is getting more and more experience with racing," said Lecoeuvre.
"I travelled very well behind the pace. After the corner, when the other jockeys start to attack the lead, a gap appeared in front of me, and he sprinted very well.
"It's my first Group race win, let alone first Group 1 win. It's magical, hopefully it's not the last."
Finally, Topgear, a son of Wootton Bassett, made a winning return to action in the Group 3 Prix du Palais-Royal for trainer Christopher Head, jockey Stephane Pasquier and owner Hisaaki Saito.
The six-year-old entire is now set to be seen again during the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting. FRANCE GALOP
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