#ArcRoad : Kew Gardens wins Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris

14 July 2018

#ArcRoad : Kew Gardens wins Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris

Photo scoopdyga.com

At the end of a long duel with French colt Neufbosc (Mastercraftsman), Irish raider Kew Gardens (Galileo) prevailed by 1 ¼ length in the €600,000 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1), on Bastille Day at ParisLongchamp, the best French race over 1 1/2 mile for 3 year olds only.

Owned by Coolmore stud’s connections and trained by Aidan O'Brien, Kew Gardens won the Queen's Vase (Gr2) at the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting after a failure in the Epsom Derby (Gr1). The winning trainer Aidan O'Brien, "We are very happy. We came here to see if he could go on King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (at the end of the month at Ascot). It was the idea from the start: Royal Ascot first, a recall over 1 ½ mile in the Grand Prix de Paris and then think of the King George according to the result. His rider Ryan Moore took his time. We will now think about going to Ascot or not. Kew Gardens is a beautiful colt, who moves very well and needs good ground. That's why Ascot could please him. He's easy to ride, well in his head, and he made 2,800m at Royal Ascot."

2nd-placed Neufbosc is owned by his breeder, leading French owner Gérard Agustin-Normand, winner of the race in 2016 with Mont Ormel, also trained by the Swedish handler. She said : “I am very proud of my colt. He gave everything today. It is for this kind of emotions that we wake up in the morning. I thought he could pull it off but I can’t say I am disappointed because he tried his best. We have seen the best of Neufbosc today. He should now be aimed at the Qatar Prix Niel (Gr2) on his way to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.”

The last winner of the latter also in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris's roll of honour is Rail Link in 2006.

Kew Gardens and Neufbosc are both entered in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr1) in October, but the result of this Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris has not troubled the picture: the elder Enable (Nathaniel) and Cracksman (Frankel) remain the favourites of the great race.