Pantall's bet with Castle Lady pays off for Godolphin

12 May 2019

Pantall's bet with Castle Lady pays off for Godolphin

Photo Scoopdyga.com

A photo-finish was required to name the winner of The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr1), but Castle Lady (Shamardal), supplemented by Godolphin after winning the Prix de la Grotte (Gr3) on this course and distance, kept a nose ahead of Commes (Le Havre), who came by the rail to threaten her rival in the dyings stages of the mile test.

British raider East (Frankel) finished third ahead of the front-running Imperial Charm (Dubawi) and Matematica (Rock of Gibraltar). Winner of the Prix Imprudence (Gr3) at Maisons-Laffitte, Watch Me (Olympic Glory) went through a nightmarish last straight to finish sixth.

Bred by Godolphin, trained in Beaupreau near Angers by Henri-Alex Pantall, Castle Lady is now unbeaten in three races, all this year. It is, therefore, a double for the Al Maktoum family, already crowned with Persian King in the Poulains.

Castle Lady is the second foal out of Windsor County (Elusive Quality) after Top Score (Hard Spun), 2nd to Limato in a Listed 6f event at Newmarket.

Castle Lady's 2nd dam Ascutney (Lord at War) gave Raven’s Pass (Elusive Quality), winner of the Breeders’Cup Classic (Gr1) and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Gr1) for Princess Haya of Jordan…

The Prix Maurice Zilber (L), for fillies and mares aged 4 and more, over 7 furlongs, went to Spinning Memories (Arcano), who completely outclassed the field for her return. The Pan Sutong Racing-pwned 4yo mare has now three wins under her belt.