Irish masterpiece on full display in French Derby
PARIS Ireland's Camille Pissarro showcased his close affinity with France by claiming the €1.5 million (S$2.2 million) Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (2,100m) at Chantilly on June 1.
Camille Pissarro is trained in Ireland at the great Ballydoyle training centre, overseen by multiple-champion trainer Aidan O'Brien.
But he clearly enjoys France, where he has received his best accolades: the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at age two in October 2024 and a third-place finish in the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (1,600m) on May 11.
He is also a son of popular stallion Wootton Bassett, who first rose to prominence in France and now stands in Ireland at Coolmore Stud, the stud farm for which O'Brien trains.
Besides the horse's name, a reference to one of the great French Impressionist masters, another French-Irish connection is his dam Entreat. She previously produced another Group 1 winner, Golden Horde, a son of Lethal Force now standing as a stallion in Normandy at the Haras de Montfort et Preaux.
Slated as the first leg of the brand new Arc Races, the Prix du Jockey Club was effectively decided well before the finish line.
The three horses who would eventually fill the podium, Camille Pissarro (Ryan Moore), Cualificar (William Buick), and Detain (Christophe Soumillon), were already well placed in ambush behind the two leaders - the eventual fourth-placed Trinity College (Wayne Lordan) and Bowmark (Tom Marquand) - 1,000m from the post, as they approached the long final bend that runs past the picturesque Great Stables chateau.
In fact, among the top five finishers, the only horse to make up ground in the straight was the Aga Khan's Azimpour (Clement Lecoeuvre), who came in fifth ahead of his stablemate Ridari (Mickael Barzalona).
All the horses who came from the outside, often forced there by bad draws, faded in the final straight.
It yet again confirmed the belief that when high-class horses secure the rails, it is nearly impossible to make up ground on them.
As an interesting anecdote, in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, Camille Pissarro was beaten by his stablemate and co-owned runner, Henri Matisse, who is also a son of Wootton Bassett and is similarly named in tribute to a great French painter.
Regarded by many as the best trainer in the world, O'Brien won his second consecutive Prix du Jockey Club, after years of trying unsuccessfully in the race English speakers refer to as the French Derby. His only previous win came with St Mark's Basilica in 2021.
"After the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, when Christophe Soumillon got off the horse, he immediately told us to run him in the Jockey Club," said the Ballydoyle maestro.
"He's a miler, but he stays 2,000 metres, and that's exactly what you need to win the French Derby. He's a colt we've always really liked.
"Last year, he was our top chance for the Coventry Stakes, but at the time he was probably still too green.
"Over time, he toughened up, and we felt in the second half of the season that he deserved a run in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere."
No immediate plans have been pencilled in for Camille Pissarro, who has now enhanced his record to three wins and five placings in 10 starts.
"As for the rest of his programme, we're taking it race by race," said O'Brien.
"His owners will talk things through with the jockey, who will then get back to me."
Despite pairing up with Camille Passiro in eight of his 10 starts for two of his three wins, Moore deflected the praise to Soumillion, who, incidentally was aboard third-placed Detain for John and Thady Gosden.
"The race went very smoothly. I had a good draw, the pace wasn't crazy, but the horse was very relaxed," said Moore.
"When I asked him, he responded well. Christophe Soumillon taught me how to ride him."
The Arc Races were conceptualised by France Galop as a new circuit of eight marquee contests. The winners earn a wild card for the ultimate autumn challenge in the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2,400m) at ParisLongchamp on Oct 5. FRANCE GALOP
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Irish masterpiece on full display in French Derby
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1 Azimpour Close to winning a Group 3 at ParisLongchamp in his second career start. But his fourth place - as favourite - in a Listed 2,000m at Chantilly this month means that more is needed especially from his high gate. 2 Ridari Looked very smart when winning a Group 3 at ParisLongchamp, then - with this longer Classic in mind - running a fine and close fifth in the French 2000 Guineas (1,600m) there. A major player. 3 King Of Cities Promising in all three 2024 starts but raised his game according to facts and figures when a strong second in a Listed 1,800m event at Newmarket in April, with the first two clear of the rest. Supplemented. 4 Al Aali Has run better than his odds suggested on his three 2025 starts, most recently when a fast-finishing second - though no threat - in a Group 3 over 1,800m at Chantilly. An outsider again. 5 Leffard Kicked off his career with two victories at provincial French tracks, proving himself over this trip then. Then only narrowly failing to win a Listed event over 2,000m at Chantilly this month. Stable gunning for a seventh win in this feature. 6 Cualificar Unbeaten this year, most recently comfortably asserting in the last 400m of a Group 3 1,800m at Chantilly, a major trial for this Classic. Bred for this trip, he is a live contender. 7 Detai nHas won three of his five starts and though not making enough impact in his two Group 1 starts, he was making good late headway into sixth at ParisLongchamp, and this rise in trip could be a big plus. 8 Heybetli Twice a winner last season but vulnerable at Group level and, after a slow start, never threatened in a Group 1 at ParisLongchamp this month. The rise in trip needs to help a lot. 9 Bowmar kRises in class and trip but much to like about his three starts with two wins and a narrow second in Listed company at Newcastle. Not without ability, but he may just be looking inexperienced and will have to lift at this level. 10 Curragh Camp A French-bred racing in the Lucky colours of Singaporean owner Robert Ng. All three starts have been at Chantilly, the first two on the all-weather track. Did some good late work when third in a Group 3 1,800m on turf on May 6. 11 Luther Could not summon an extra effort in the closing stages but still ran way above his odds of 45-1 when only 1.3L fourth in a Group 1 1,600m Classic at ParisLongchamp. His pedigree offers mixed messages for this longer trip. 12 Trinity College Might have won a Listed trial for the Epsom Derby in April had he not hung in the home straight. This slightly longer trip should suit but he looks safely held. 13 Parachutiste Although he steps up sharply in class, he is one of only a few who is absolutely proven over 2,100m, narrowly winning over further at ParisLongchamp last month. But more needed from a tricky gate. 14 Tipinso Though his trainer's record in this race is strong, it is not encouraging that he has been a beaten favourite at French provincial tracks in both starts this season. 15 Camille Pissarro Plenty of classy form from 1,200m to 1,600m including a Group 1 win at ParisLongchamp last year. His fast finish from a wide gate in a 1,600m Group 1 Classic this month was also very good. Big chance. 16 Nitoi Showed a good attitude and also an aptitude for this 2,100m trip when second in a ParisLongchamp Group 3 in April, again fighting hard when winning a Chantilly Listed event. Possibilities provided he can overcome his wide gate. 17 Sinileo Interestingly has been supplemented for this despite only having run once, easily winning a 1,600m maiden at Chantilly this month. Takes a huge rise in class but stamina in his pedigree and with top class connections. 18 Frankly Good Cen A Deauville winner at his only start last year, and kicked off 2025 when runner-up at Compiegne over 1,600m recently. Up sharply in class and an unlikely winner. Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
