14 May 2023
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, May 14, 2023, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris). - The big favourite of the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr1) after having won outright the Prix de la Grotte (Gr3) for her return, Blue Rose Cen (Churchill) won with a lot of ease with nearly two lengths to spare on Lindy (Le Havre), whom she had already outrun for her comeback.
Long at the forefront, Sauterne (Kingman) held onto third place at a good length, with Kelina (Frankel) half a length away.
This time, Blue Rose Cen couldn't take the lead as Sauterne took charge, flanked by Swingalong (Showcasing), who doesn't stay the mile. Blue Rose Cen waited in their wake by the rail and thus didn't have to look for an escape route, as the open stretch allowed her to challenge a brave Sauterne without bothering to change lanes. Lindy, on the other hand, had to go around the pack since she was drawn 7 and travelled outside, yet covered by a disappointing Quickstep (Wootton Bassett).
Blue Rose Cen is the only referenced foal out of Queen Blossom (Jeremy), who went three times over the ring in Ireland, the USA and then England, where she was sold for 110,000 £ in December 2018. She'd won three races, including two Group 3 events in Ireland and the USA.
What they said...
Christopher Head (the trainer of Blue Rose Cen, 1st) - Chantilly (Oise)
"I don't think that the magnitude of this success has sunk in yet! It's really incredible. Blue Rose Cen is a filly I adore. I've been training her since she came to me, and she's got tougher with time. The goal now is to go for the Prix de Diane Longines. Her pedigree suggests she will be able to go longer. We could have contemplated going for the Gr1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, but it's better to stick with the French programme."
Christophe Ferland (the trainer of Lindy, 2nd) - Chantilly (Oise) and La Teste (33)
"Only victory provides for the ultimate experience. Yet, in the cold light of day, this second place feels just as good. Lindy is great. She finished second in the Prix de la Grotte, and today she did likewise in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. She is a genuine contender for the Prix de Diane Longines. Tonight she will return to her box at Chantilly, and we will prepare her calmly and in a serene frame of mind for the Prix de Diane Longines. So see you in a month’s time at Chantilly! She is capable of winning a Group 1 race, of that I am sure."
Patrice Cottier (the trainer of Sauterne, 3rd, and Showay, 7th) – trained at Calas-Cabriès (Bouches du Rhône)
"Sauterne ran very well. I would have preferred to have seen a leader force the pace in the race, but when she went to the front, she was very relaxed. I think the 1,600 metres is her maximum distance. Regarding Showay, I would have preferred her to race closer to the pace. Her performance is by no means bad as she was running on in the straight."
Carlos Laffon-Parias (the trainer of Kelina, 4th) - Chantilly (Oise)
"She ran very well and performed up to expectations. She had a good race, and the ground was not a problem, as it wasn’t as testing as in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac. She showed that she could go longer. We will think about the next step with a view to her gaining a black-type win."
Aidan O’Brien (the trainer of Never Ending Story, 5th) - trained in Ireland
"She ran a clean race. She’s a consistent filly. She produced a good finish and should be able to go longer, but, for the moment, nothing has been decided about where she goes next."