31 May 2020
Photos scoopdyga.com
This 133rd edition of the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas, Gr1) is extraordinary for four reasons. First, it takes place almost a month later than usual. Then, it takes place in Deauville, just as it did during the Longchamp renovation works, in 2016 and in 2017. In addition, it is restricted to colts trained in France, as the borders remain closed to foreign horses. Last but not least, it takes place behind closed doors, a prerequisite for race meetings to take place at the moment.
The only real prep race was the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3), which is precisely what it does. On that day, favourite Victor Ludorum (Shamardal) lost his undefeated status. His defeaters will try to go on from there, but the return of the fearsome Alson (Areion), his stablemate, can completely reshuffle the cards.
At the start, we find Chantilly horses, of course, but also horses from Marseilles (Kenway), the Bordeaux area (Shinning Ocean), and Anjou (The Summit).
The start is expected on Monday, June 1 at 3:50 p.m. French time, live on Equidia and on this website.
- 1. ALSON (c3, GER by Areion and Assisi, by Galileo) Rating: 111lbs
It will be a comeback for Alson (Areion) and his debut for new trainer André Fabre. He was trained last year in his native country, Germany, by Jean-Pierre Carvalho. It was in France, however, that he distinguished himself most. Second in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1) after having led, he easily won a duel for his owner-breeder Gestüt Schlenderhan in the Critérium International (Gr1), at ParisLongchamp, by twenty lengths!
Before these two top performances in Paris, Alson won the first Group 3 of his career, the Zukunfts-Rennen (Gr3), in Baden-Baden on September 2. He had already run twice in France, winning, in particular, a class 2 race at Clairefontaine on August 9. This brother of the classic performer Ancient Spirit (Invincible Spirit) is out of Assisi (Galileo), winner of two races at only 4 but a daughter of the German Oaks winner Amarette (Monsun).
Alson is entered in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1).
- 2. THE SUMMIT (c3, FRA by Wootton Bassett and Acola, by Acatenango) Rating: 112lbs
Purchased at the Deauville yearling sales for € 16,000 by bloodstock agent Paul Nataf for Mrs Jacques Cygler, The Summit (Wootton Bassett) won for the first time on its second outing, in Lyon-Parilly over one mile. Third in the Prix de Condé (Gr3) in the process, he finished fifth in the Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) to end his first season. He was beaten by a head only for his return to Saint-Cloud in the Prix Omnium II (L) before winning the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3), preparatory to this Poule d'Essai. Fast ahead that day, he fled early in the last straight and kept on strongly to win by almost two lengths.
His mother Acola (Acatenango) is a maiden in the race but the mother of six winners out of eleven products of racing age. She comes from the same family as the sprinter champion Chineur. Trained in Anjou by Henri-Alex Pantall, The Summit is its first Group winner. He was raised by Jedburgh Stud, like his following products, a 2-year-old son of Bow Creek, and a yearling by The Gray Gatsby.
The Summit is entered in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1).
- 3. CÉLESTIN (c3, FRA by Dabirsim and Celesteville, by Elusive City) Rating: 109lbs
Bought € 10,000 at the Deauville yearling sales, he has raced four times to date, won twice and also finished twice second. Entered in the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3), the classic preparatory race, he was finally confirmed in a class 1 race which looked easier. He was, however, beaten after a messy race by Reshabar (Iffraaj ), whom he finds again here. He finished his first season with a victory in Toulouse in the Critérium du Languedoc (L) by more than six lengths.
Célestin is the first foal out of the maiden mare Celesteville (Elusive City), whose second dam is the very good mare Fragrant Hill (Shirley Heights), dam of Group 1 winners Fragrant Mix and Alpine Rose.
Célestin is entered in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1).
- 4. SHINNING OCEAN (c3, FRA by Dabirsim and Shimmering Sands, by Medicean) Rating: 99lbs
He was supplemented to run here and has never competed in a group race before. Purchased € 8,000 at the Deauville sales, he is out of a maiden mare whose dam performed at Group level in Great Britain, herself from a winner of the Prix Robert Papin (Gr2) at 2at Maisons-Laffitte.
After three good races last year, including a victory on his second outing, Shinning Ocean won two and a half lengths for his comeback this season at ParisLongchamp, leading from start to finish. He is ahead of Speak of the Devil, who takes part in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr1) this same Monday.
- 5. VICTOR LUDORUM (c3, GB by Shamardal and Antiquities, by Kaldounevees) Rating: 114lbs
Bred by his owner, he won easily his first two races at ParisLongchamp then Chantilly before confirming brilliantly in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1). Heavily favoured in the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3) for his comeback, he tracked the leaders on outside, was ridden under 2 out, chased the clear leader but lost the 2nd place to Ecrivain in the last 50 yards. His connections argue that he was a bit rusty and that he should have improved a lot on that.
Victor Ludorum is the fifth foal out of Antiquities (Kaldounevees), also trained by André Fabre for Sheikh Mohammed and second in the Prix Cléopâtre (Gr3) on her second outing.
The colt is entered in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1) and the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1).
- 6. KENWAY (c3, FRA by Galiway and Kendam, by Kendargent) Rating: 107lbs
Sold € 56,000 yearling at the Deauville sales, he is one of the most seasoned foals in the lot since he has run nine times already, including seven times at 2, winning three times. Winner of the Prix des Jouvenceaux and Jouvencelles (L) in Vichy, he won also the Prix La Rochette (Gr3) at ParisLongchamp but failed in the Lagardère and for his return, in the Prix Omnium II (L). In the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3), however, he finished well in fourth place, just a short head behind the favourite, Victor Ludorum.
His dam Kendam (Kendargent) won the Prix Eclipse (Gr3) at 2 and made the frame in the Prix de la Forêt (Gr1). She comes from a family where there are a lot of speed horses, as well, further down the page, as the winner of the Prix Morny (Gr1) Myboycharlie.
The colt is entered in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1).
- 7. ARAPAHO (c3, FRA by Lope de Vega and Alzubra, by Dansili) Rating: 101lbs
An easy winner at his first call last June, he changed ownership before winning again in a class 2 race at Deauville, but had to settle for second place a month later in the Prix François Boutin (L) over 7 furlongs. He fought bravely to win again for his return at Paris Longchamp in the Prix du Pont-Neuf (L), over 7 furlongs, by resisting all the attacks, including that of a French One Thousand Guineas runner Mageva.
Arapaho is the first foal out of Alzubra (Dansili) who, like him, was bred by Peregrine, the breeding operation of the Fabre family. This mare ran until the age of 5, and she won her best race, the Prix Dahlia, a Listed over 10 furlongs disputed, in October at Saint-Cloud.
Alec Head bred the third, fourth and fifth dams of Arapaho.
The colt is entered in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1) and the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1).
- 8. RESHABAR (c3, FRA by Iffraaj and Rait, by Tamayuz) Rating: 99lbs
Bred by his owner, Reshabar (Iffraaj) has just won his first victory, for his third outing, and for his return this season. On this occasion, he finished three lengths ahead of Célestin, whom he finds here. Probably able to make some more progress, he comes from the same family as the champion sprinter Owington.
- 9. ÉCRIVAIN (c3, FRA by Lope de Vega and Sapphire Pendant, by Danehill Dancer) Rating: 110lbs
Bred by his owners, he won twice over the mile, at Deauville for his debut, then in the Prix des Chênes (Gr3) at ParisLongchamp, before taking fourth place in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1 ).
He made his comeback race in the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3), where stayed on in the final furlong to take the second place.
Écrivain is the fourth foal out of Sapphire Pendant (Danehill Dancer), who cost the Wertheimers £ 480,000 at the Tattersalls breeding sales in 2012. The mare had run for the Coolmore team after having been bought for € 300,000 in Deauville. His second dam, Blush With Pride (Blushing Groom), is a Kentucky Oaks (Gr1) winner from which descend many prominent horses such as two Belmont Stakes (Gr1) winners, Rags To Riches and Jazil.
The colt is entered in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1).