18 June 2023
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday 18th June 2023, Chantilly Racecourse (Oise). - Blue Rose Cen (Churchill) dominated the 174th edition of the €1,000,000 Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1) the way champions do. She won for her Spanish breeder, Yeguada Centurion, with a four-length lead over the Irish filly Never Ending Story (Dubawi), who finished second just ahead of the magnificent Tasmania (Australia), trained in Chantilly for the German breeding Estate, Gestüt Schlenderhan. It is indeed a truly European finish that crowns the best filly on this side of the Channel.
The Yeguada Centurion stable of Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals is also represented in the 2023 French Oaks by the fourth-placed Wise Girl (Recoletos), stablemate of the winner under the care of trainer Christopher Head from Chantilly, marking his first "Diane" win.
The race was led by Wise Girl, quickly shadowed by Blue Rose Cen with her 1 draw, while Pensée du Jour (Camelot), too keen early, Lindy (Le Havre) and the English raider Running Lion (Roaring Lion) soon joind the leading group. The favourite, Jannah Rose (Frankel), was held further back in a lively field.
In the final straight, the situation quickly cleared up as Wise Girl was staying on bravely, leaving room on her inside for Blue Rose Cen to pass and quickly rise above the opposition towards an easy victory. On the other hand, Never Ending Story, coming from the depths of the field, slalomed along the rail to secure second place ahead of Tasmania, who had more difficulty finding her way after following her. Wise Girl held on to a courageous fourth place ahead of Elusive Princess (Martinborough), who came from the back of the field after a slow start and passed the whole field in the final two furlongs.
Winner of the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1) at 2 and the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000, Gr1) this season, Blue Rose Cen is currently following a similar path to great fillies like Zarkava (2008), Divine Proportions (2005), and Allez France (1973).
However, she is not currently entered in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr1)!
Blue Rose Cen is the only recorded foal out of Queen Blossom (Jeremy), who went through the sales ring three times in Ireland, the USA, and England, where she was sold for £110,000 in December 2018 after winning three races, including two Group 3 races in Ireland and the USA. One of her siblings, Valcarlos (Duke of Marmalade), is a winner in Madrid, Spain. Blue Rose Cen's fourth dam, Grey Angel (Kenmare), was a Group 3 winner in South Africa, and her third dam, Dream Time (Rainbow Quest), raced three times without success for the late Queen Elizabeth II.
What they said...
Christopher Head (trainer of Blue Rose Cen, 1st) - Chantilly (Oise)
"It's incredible. I've never trained a filly of this quality. I want to thank the entire team, from the farrier to the vet, all the staff at the yard and those handling communication. I'm delighted to be able to work with each and every one of them, and I wouldn't trade them for anyone. This means a lot to me. Blue Rose Cen is a faultless filly. She has the conformation, the engine, the will, and the passion to race. She was an excellent 2-year-old, capable of being just as strong at 3. She came into this race with plenty of experience and never took a hard race. She hasn't been affected by any race. As for the rest of the plan, we'll first see how she comes out of this. We had a plan until the Prix de Diane Longines, where she tackled the distance for the first time. We'll discuss the next steps for the season, knowing that she should remain in training next year."
Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals (owner of Blue Rose Cen, 1st)
"I'm delighted. I'm very lucky to have quality broodmares! I discovered horse racing in Spain with a friend who had a runner. His filly was beaten, but I got hooked. And my wife suggested that I buy a racehorse. But being a businessman, I can't buy just one horse: I bought 80!"
Aidan O'Brien (trainer of Never Ending Story, 2nd) - Ireland
"It was Never Ending Story's first time running over such a long distance, and she ran a fantastic race. She finished a good second behind the winner, a really good filly. I think she can improve a bit more. So, we're very happy. As for the future, she could target races like the Irish Oaks (Group 1)... or other competitions, as we already have Savethelastdance for the Irish Oaks."
Francis-Henri Graffard (trainer of Tasmania, 3rd) - Chantilly (Oise)
"Her rider, Tom Marquand, regrets that the filly didn't come out of the starting gate faster. This incident forced her to run at the rear. She followed Jannah Rose before diving along the inside rail to finish. It's incredible how quickly she closed her race! Tasmania is not entered in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but other great races are over 1m1/2. She shouldn't have any trouble with the distance in the future. However, I'm not sure she'll have the same acceleration ability when the ground is soft. Her owners aimed for black type in a Listed race, but they achieved it in the Prix de Diane!"
Christopher Head (trainer of Wise Girl, 4th) - Chantilly (Oise)
"Wise Girl wasn't a pacemaker. She runs up with the pace, a bit like Big Rock. I'm delighted with her performance. She came into this race as a maiden winner and finishes fourth in the Diane, which is not bad!"
Jean-Philippe Dubois (trainer of Elusive Princess, 5th) - Orne
"The Prix de Diane Longines is always a good race. Elusive Princess ran well. We'll see how she comes out of this and decide on her future."