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Irish Independent
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Henri Matisse in the frame for Ascot after capturing the French 2,000 Guineas for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore
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. ADVERTISEMENT '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.'
RTÉ News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Henri Matisse and Zarigana claim French Classics
Henri Matisse got the better of a thrilling tussle with Jonquil to claim Classic glory in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp. A strong raiding party crossed the Channel for the French Classic, 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 inside the final two furlongs. 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. The winner returned an industry price of 9-4F and 12-5F on the PMU. ⭕ #ParisLongchamp – Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Gr I) Henri Matisse (M3 Wootton Bassett) remporte le premier Classique français. Le pensionnaire d'A.P. O'Brien brille pour l'association Magnier, Tabor, Smith et Merriebell. 🥈Jonquil 🥉Camille Pissarro #Emirates #UAE — France Galop (@francegalop) May 11, 2025 O'Brien told Sky Sports Racing: "We were 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. "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 winner of 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. Charlie Fellowes described his "heartbreak" after Shes Perfect was demoted from first place in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. The daughter of Sioux Nation earned herself a 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, 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. That sparked scenes of wild celebration, but the joy proved short lived as Zarigana's rider Mickael Barzalona lodged an objection after the race and following an inquiry, the result was amended. Zarigana returned an industry price of 11-10F and 4-5F on the PMU. ⭕ #ParisLongchamp – Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr I) Suspense incroyable ! Shes Perfect franchit le poteau en tête mais, après enquête, est rétrogradée pour avoir gêné Zarigana (F3 Siyouni), qui s'impose pour les Aga Khan Studs. Mandanaba complète le podium #Emirates — France Galop (@francegalop) May 11, 2025 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." On whether connections will consider a potential appeal, Fellowes added: "I don't know the rules, I need to get some advice from people that are better placed in France than I am and we'll go from there. "If we think there's any point in appealing then we'll have to consider it, but it's not my area of expertise." France Galop's Samuel Fargeat explained the stewards had assessed two incidents, the first involving Shes Perfect, fourth-placed Exactly and Zarigana, who all appeared to get close, before the last two fillies also came together towards the line. The stewards decided the first incident had impacted the result but the second had not, and Zarigana's trainer Francis-Henri Graffard felt his filly had been "unbalanced at the wrong time". He told Sky Sports Racing: "Obviously it was a tough few minutes and we don't like to win like this and I feel sorry for the connections of Shes Perfect because they had the joy, but this is sport and this is racing and it has happened to me in the past. "To be fair, my filly, when she came, she got really unbalanced at the wrong time and in the end it was only a nose. "It was a decision in the stewards' room, but I'm very happy for this filly especially. There was a lot of expectation and she deserves a win like that. It would have been very frustrating to be second and beaten a nose and for the team at home it's really good. "It's quite hard to really enjoy it, it's more like relief than proper joy." Zarigana could now make an appearance at Royal Ascot, with her trainer adding: "We'll have to discuss it, I'm not sure she needs to be stepped up in trip, so if we decide to stick to a mile we'll go to Ascot for the Coronation Stakes with her."
The Herald Scotland
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Henri Matisse fends off Jonquil in French Guineas thriller
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 inside the final two furlongs. Henri Matisse takes the Poule d'Essai des Poulains!🏆 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 11, 2025 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 told Sky Sports Racing: 'We were 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 winner of 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. Aidan O'Brien won his sixth French 2000 Guineas with Henri Matisse (Mike Egerton/PA) 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. 'There's a chance he'll get further, but he's pacey and he's got a lot of gears.'
Irish Examiner
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Colm Greaves: 10 to follow in the flat season
Last week at Punchestown the National Hunt season ended, and we won't see most of our old jumping friends again until there are brown leaves littering the pavements. So, like it or lump it, Flat racing takes centre stage and here are 10 horses to keep an eye on this summer. Jonquil Age: 3 Trainer: Andrew Balding Andrew Balding continued to build momentum last season and although he has suffered an early blow this year when one of his biggest owners, Qatar Racing, removed all their horses from his yard, he is already prominent near the top of the trainers' table. The improving Jonquil could develop into a very decent colt in the coming months. Transferred from the Michael Stoute's yard on that trainer's retirement, Jonquil won the Greenham Stakes at Newbury impressively on his stable debut. He was raised a whopping 21lbs on that performance and should contend at the highest level up to a mile. Calandagan Age: 4 Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard Few racehorse trainers have a law degree, but Francis-Henri Graffard is an exception. Based at Chantilly, Graffard has developed into one of France's leading handlers in recent years and is the principal trainer for the late Aga Khan. Two of his stars from last season, Goliath and Calandagan are both geldings and as such ineligible for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe so their campaigns will include British and Irish middle distance Group 1 contests. Calandagan ended last season with a rating of 125 following an easy win at Royal Ascot and runner-up efforts in the Juddmonte and Champion Stakes last autumn. First up this year will be the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June and then the King George at Ascot the following month. Native Warrior Age: 4 Trainer: Karl Burke Karl Burke has become a powerhouse in the north of England in recent seasons and the Middleham-based trainer hit two 'personal bests' last season with a total of 121 winners and over £4m (€4.7m) in prize money. Native Warrior, a son of the increasingly influential, and expensive, sire Wooton Bassett, had a busy time last year, running seven times and although he got his head in front only once, in a mile maiden at Nottingham, he showed up well at a couple of the high summer festivals. With a competitive handicap rating of 92, the wily Burke should be able to find plenty of opportunities for him in the coming months. Rosallion Age: 4 Trainer: Richard Hannon Ten years ago, Richard Hannon sent out 195 winners from his base near Marlborough in Wilshire. Last year the total had dropped to 86. The affable Hannon insists that the dip in quantity has been compensated by an increase in quality and, in the case of Rossalion, he has a point. The Blue Point colt developed into a brilliant miler last season, winning the Irish Guineas and the St James' Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot before a lung infection finished his season. Hannon resisted the temptation of an autumn campaign last year and believes that the long break has done Rosallion the world of good. A candidate for champion miler, he thrives best when the words 'good' or 'firm' are found in the going description. Estrange Age: 4 Trainer: David O'Meara Fermoy native David O'Meara is another trainer in a hurry to add quality to quantity and last year surpassed a century of winners for the 12th time in succession. He will be hoping that Estrange, a grey daughter of Night Of Thunder, has the ability to develop far beyond her current official rating of 100. Unraced as a two-yea- old, she won well on her debut at Goodwood in August and took a late-season listed race at Doncaster in November. Her only defeat came on unsuitably quick ground at Yarmouth and should be competitive on easy ground at distances up to a mile and a half. Oliver Show Age: 5 Trainer: George Boughey Still only 33, George Boughey is an ambitious young trainer who has recently upgraded his real estate significantly through the purchase of Craven House Stables at Newmarket from Godolphin. His ascent to the top ranks of Flat trainers looks set to continue this summer and his No Nay Never gelding Oliver Show should help with the climb. The five-year-old was only beaten an unlucky nose when second to Godwinson in the Lincoln in March and looks set to play a part in many of the high-value festival handicaps over a mile, starting with the Brittania Stakes at Royal Ascot next month. He goes well when fresh and will be competitive off a rating of 99. Seagulls Eleven Age: 3 Trainer: Hugo Palmer Seagulls Eleven is an appropriate name for a horse in the ownership of current and former Brighton football players. Headed up by James Milner, the syndicate plan to 'take each race at a time' with their horse but he should give them some fine days out through the summer. Battle-hardened from five runs as a two-year old, his CV includes a solid third to Scorthy Champ in the National Stakes at the Curragh last September. Seagulls Eleven perhaps lacks othe class of sire Galileo Gold, a dual Group 1 winner in 2016, but he could net a couple of opportunities his owners in the lower divisions. Catalina Delcarpio Age: 3 Trainer: Paddy Twomey Given that Paddy Twomey bred Group 1 winner, Tagula, when he was 13 years of age it is unsurprising that he has found a seat at the table of the top Irish trainers. He looks like he has a top filly in Catalina Delcarpio who should be competitive in the best mares' middle-distance contests. Unraced at two, she made an eye-catching debut when winning over 10 furlongs at Leopardstown in early April and followed that up with a Group 3 second at Navan three weeks later. An expensively purchased yearling at £400,000 (470,667), she looks the type to mature and improve with time. Jan Brueghel Age: 4 Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien has a strong team of stayers at Ballydoyle this year and it should be a 'gimmee' for the brilliant Kyprios wherever he turns up which should leave ample leftovers for stamina-laden stablemates such as Jan Brueghel when he stays home. Unraced at two, he improved steadily last year, but to O'Brien's displeasure he was denied a crack at glory in the Melbourne Cup when scratched by the local stewards. Beaten into second on his recent seasonal reappearance over an inadequate distance of 10 furlongs at the Curragh, he will do better over longer trips. The Lion In Winter Age: 3 Trainer: Aidan O'Brien The Lion In Winter is named after a film about an early version of the British Royal family and O'Brien is convinced his horse will have a regal summer too. By the great Sea The Stars, he was unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile and spent the winter as the ante-post favourite for last week's 2000 Guineas but wasn't yet fit enough to run. In the second of his two races he won the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York where he beat the Guineas winner Ruling Court by two lengths, so O'Brien's hopes are strongly endorsed by the formbook. He could be the marquee middle distance colt of the summer and has an entry next week in the Dante Stakes at York.
Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Four-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy at centre of car crash riddle
Oisin Murphy, the four-time champion flat jockey, was back riding at Windsor on Monday, having missed out on rides at Southwell on Sunday due to 'travel issues', with his agent confirming he's been involved in a car crash Mystery surrounds the circumstances of a car accident involving four-time champion flat jockey Oisin Murphy. It is understood to have happened hours after the 29-year-old was riding at Leicester Racecourse on Saturday. Murphy rode a 33-1 treble from the horses he partnered for six different trainers during the seven-race afternoon fixture. But the sport's leading rider missed out on four opportunities at Southwell on Sunday due to 'travel issues,' as stated by the British Horseracing Authority's stewards' report. Murphy, who took three titles between 2019-2021 and last year's, went to Windsor's circuit on Monday where he was first on 13-8 favourite Sea Founder in the British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes over a mile before following up on Derby hope Tycoon for John and Thady Gosden. Before the first race at 4.25pm, his agent Gavin Horne said: "All I know is Oisin had a car accident and that is it. He is fine and racing tonight." Murphy was unavailable for comment. Top apprentice of 2014 before his triumphs in the main championship, Murphy made a British Classic breakthrough on Andrew Balding-trained Kameko in the 2,000 Guineas of 2020. He successfully teamed up with Jonquil for the same stable - a 16-1 chance for the latest renewal on Saturday - in the Greenham Stakes trial at Newbury earlier this month. Murphy also prepared owner Juddmonte's fellow entrant Cosmic Year (20-1) for Harry Charlton on Kempton's all-weather surface. The pair are among 17 horses in contention for the Betfred-sponsored event at Newmarket, one of five prestigious Classics during 2025.
