2 June 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
The French colt Sottsass (Siyouni) proved a decisive winner of the QIPCO Prix du Jockey-Club (Gr1) after flooring the hot favourite Persian King (Kingman) at Chantilly on Sunday. The effort of Motamarris (Le Havre) in third ensured a 1-2-3 for France.
Sottsass, owned by the US owner Peter Brant, is trained at Pau and Deauville by Jean-Claude Rouget, and the colt’s win enabled the handler to snare a fourth win in the classic. The trainer was a notable absentee at Chantilly having declined to make the trip for health reasons. The colt was ridden by Cristian Demuro, the same rider who had proved victorious in 2017 aboard Brametot. Sottsass, coming off a win in the Prix de Suresnes (Listed), clocked the 2.100 metre trip in 2’02’’90 which is both a new track/race record.
The race
How they ran:
1st - Sottsass: Waited with in tenth position and with plenty of cover, he was in the slipstream of Persian King when the latter made his effort at the beginning of the straight. He drew upsides Persian King with 200 metres to go before asserting in the final 100-mtres to win easily. Set a new race and track record.
2nd - Persian King: Well away despite his bad draw, he raced in seventh away from the rail. He cruised into the lead in the final 400 metres when he looked overall the winner. However, following a short battle with Sottsass, he had to give best. Giving the impression that he lacked the required stamina, he kept on well for second.
3rd – Motamarris: Soon at the head of affairs, and although he had to give way to the first and second, he kept on well for third
4th - Cape of Good Hope: After biding his time in the second part of the field, he was noted doing his best work in the straight to take fourth.
5th - Roman Candle: Unhurried as the gates opened and racing from off the pace, he was noted running-on well solidly in the straight.
6th – Rockemperor: After racing covered up in fourth, he never flinched the issue in the straight.
7th - Mohawk: After being sighted in last place, he was pulled out for his challenge in the straight. The author of a good effort in the thick of it, he rallied for seventh.
8th - Surfman: After being held-up towards the rear where he had plenty of cover, he was never a threat.
9th - Kick On: Raced in third before backtracking half-way up the straight.
10th - Raise You: Smartly away, he was restrained by his rider and raced in mid-division. Could make no impression in the straight.
11th - Joe Français: Kept the leaders in his sights but began to tread water when the race hotted-up.
12th – Slalom: Having been held-up in the second half of the field, he could make no headway in the straight.
13th - Zarkallani: After racing towards the rear, he made some headway in the bend, before weakening very quickly.
14th - Blenheim Palace: The pacemaker of the Aidan O’Brien contingent, he helped set the tempo before backtracking in the straight.
15th - Starmaniac: After a wide trip in the second-half of the field, he was unable to make an impact.
Quotes:
Cristian Demuro (rider of Sottsass, 1st)
"He’s a super colt and, before the loading process got underway, I was able to get him to relax. I forced the issue somewhat as the gates opened in order to take up a position behind the leaders. It was perfect. He showed some turn of foot! I would personally like to thank Jean-Claude Rouget and all his team for affording me the opportunity to ride the colt, and for a job well done."
Pierre-Charles Boudot (rider of Persian King, 2nd)
"We’re a bit disappointed to be beaten but have no excuses. The winner was a cut above today. We had a good race. He came on to the bridle at the ‘chateau’."
Lisa-Jane Graffard (French representative of Godolphin, owners of Persian King, 2nd , and Roman Candle, 5th)
"According to his rider, Persian King saw out the trip but without getting fatigued. However, the winner showed a superior turn of foot. We’re not looking for too many excuses. That’s racing. Roman Candle ran very well and we’re delighted by the way he ran. He was little flat-footed as the gates opened but he finished with a flourish. If everything goes to plan, and AndréFabre is satisfied by the way things pan out, he could go fo the Grand Prix de Paris."
Freddy Head (trainer of Motamarris, 3rd)
"The colt ran very well and there was plenty of pace. My colt’s progress was a bit hindered by a horse on his inside and, consequently, his passage after attempting to go the shortest way around wasn’t a smooth one. It’s a drawback when the bigger picture is factored in. Apart from that, everything went well and nothing more needs to be said. The colt is probably still a little immature and will improve. He should be better at the backend. It’s not that too long ago that I thought that he wasn’t good enough for a race such as the Jockey-Club. He has been progressing along the right and how he performed here was great! This was a very good edition of the Jockey-Club and Motamarris was beaten by two very good colts. I believe that he will stay 2.400m."
Aidan O’Brien (trainer of Cape of Good Hope, 4th)
"We’re very pleased with how performed and Ryan[Moore] gave him a very good ride. We believe that the trip suited him – even if he may stay a little further. His brother, Highland Reel, was second in this race and, after this race, he made a lot of progress. So we are also hoping that this colt, too, will progress. Mohawk, the mount of Donnacha [O’Brien], also ran very well. It was something of a real test for him, as he had raced a week earlier."
Roll Of Honour
YearWinnerTimeJockeyTrainerOwnerSecondThird
2019Sottsass02'02"90C. DemuroJ.-C. RougetWhite Birch FarmPersian KingMotamarris
2018Study Of Man02'07"44S. PasquierP. BaryFlaxman Stables Ireland L.T.DPatascoyLouis d'Or
2017Brametot02'06"51C. DemuroJ.-C. RougetAl Shaqab/G. Augustin-NormandWaldgeistRecoletos
2016Almanzor02'11"62J.-B. EyquemJ.-C. RougetEc. A. Caro/G.Augustin-NormandZarakDicton
2015New Bay02'05"69V. CheminaudA. FabreKhalid AbdullahHighland ReelWar Dispatch
2014The Grey Gatsby02'05"58R. MooreK. RyanFrancis Joseph GillespieShamkiyrPrince Gibraltar