25 June 2020
Photo scoopdyga.com
Thursday, June 25, 2020, ParisLongchamp. - As planned, the Godolphin team led the final stages of the Prix de la Porte Maillot (Gr3), over 7 furlongs.
Led fast by ex-British horse Azano (Oasis Dream), followed by Stunning Spirit (Invincible Spirit) and the favourite Space Blues (Dubawi), the race really took its shape two furlongs out as D’Bai (Dubawi), Space Blues' stablemate at Charlie Appleby's yard, moved out to challenge the leaders. The two Godolphin horses soon took over and while Azano was fading, Stunning Spirit was holding. Without being able to really get rid of D'Bai, Space Blues won by a good length with Stunning Spirit staying on in 3rd at half a length. Grace Spirit (Invincible Spirit) finished well in 4th.
No 3-year-old was in even though 4 of the 5 previous winners were of that age.
With a 115lbs rating, the winner was the best-rated runner in the race. He had finished in the three first of his seven races in 2019 bar one, the first of the season. He had been 2nd in the Jersey Stakes (Gr3), 2nd in the Prix Jean Prat (Gr1) and 3rd in the Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr1). Out between August and March, he had failed on his way back at Meydan but had won nicely at Haydock for his return in Europe on June 7th over the same trip.
His dam Miss Lucifer (Noverre) was bred in France by Gainsborough Stud. A Group 2 winner over 7 furlongs at Newmarket, she also foaled Shuruq (Elusive Quality), a Group winner in Turkey and Dubai, the dam of Antoinette (Hard Spun), twice Group-placed in ethe United States this season.