15 May 2022
Photo scoopdyga.com
May 15, 2022, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris). - Modern Games (Dubawi) easily landed the 135th run of the French 2,000 Guineas, the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Gr1), almost 200 hundred days after winning his third race in the Breeders’Cup Juvenile Turf (Gr1), in California. Trained in Britain by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, the colt stumbled at the start but did not lose ground and his rider William Buick was able to gear him to the lead behind French outsider Texas (Wootton Bassett), who left the stalls at full speed with his 15 draw, and the French-trained Godolphin runner Tribalist (Farhh). He joined Texas in the straight and the leader fought hard to the wire but was unable to contain Modern Games in the last furlong. Homebred by Écurie Jeffroy, Texas still held on for second place at a good length, and left Tribalist settle for third-place at three parts of a length. By the rail, an unlucky Lassaut (Almanzor) finished fifth ahead of his stablemate at Jean-Claude Rouget's yard, the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3) winner Welwal (Shalaa).
Modern Games is the third foal out of Modern Ideals, a Darley homebred filly trained in France, where she ran and failed twice. She'a s sister tot he Gr1 2-year-old winner Ultra (Manduro), winner of the Grand Critérium (Gr1). Her 4-year-old filly Feminism (Shamardal), winner of one race, was sold for €370 000 at Goffs in 2021.
What they said...
Charlie Appleby (trainer of Modern Games, 1st)
"William Buick took a good start despite that stumble. It's a very professional racehorse. We are very happy with his performance. It was always the plan to come here. We are lucky this year with our 3-year-olds. We will see what his rider has to say but the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club is a good option."
William Buick (rider of Modern Games, 1st)
"He's a really easy ride. Last year in the Breeders’Cup, he was extraordinary. He did well again, today. He likes a fast ground. I think he can stay further. Why not in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club?"
Henri-François Devin (trainer of Texas, 2nd)
"I thought he was going to win at one stage. I am very proud of him and of the good work made at home to get here. It is always a bit frustrating to finish second in a classic, and it's not our first time! That's racing. He's really run a great race and I am delighted with him. With such a wide draw, his mission was almost impossible. I cannot say he'd beaten the winner with a better starting position but he still had to make an effort to find his way ahead. He was very brave, and tough to the end. He was merely trotting three weeks before his first run of the season and I knew he would improve greatly on that run. I was therefore confident... up until the draw took place! Now we will meet and talk with his owners but the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club is unlikely because I think he stays 2,100 metres."
Tom Marquand (rider of Ancient Rome, 4th)
"I am glad. We have had a good run behind the leaders and he was able to produce a good effort in the last furlong."
Jean-Claude Rouget (trainer of Lassaut, 5th, and Welwal, 6th)
"The mile trip on the ParisLongchamp Wider course is not an easy one... Lassaut was bumped several times going down the hill. I think we should forget this race for both my runners, and aim another one. The winner is a good colt. The three horses leading into the straight finished on top... From now on, the goal is to get them a Group win. I have not made up my minde for the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club."