Ispahan Report: Persian rules again

Sunday, July 19, Chantilly. - Despite a formidable British armada and a promising comeback of Motamarris (Le Havre) earlier, the favourite Persian King (Kingman) easily defeated the 2020 du Prix d’Ispahan (Gr1). At the end of the race's 9 furlongs, the Ballymore and Godolphin-owned 4yo colt left his best rival, the outsider Stormy Antarctic (Stormy Atlantic), at 2 lengths, as the frontrunner Pogo (Zebedee) resisted to Motamarris (Le Havre) for 3rd place in a close finish. Persian King set a new course-record at 1'47''2.

Persian King was considered one of the most promising 2-year-olds in Europe after winning a Group 2 at Newmarket at that age. He actually won the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3) at 3 and then the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas, Gr1). Second to Sottsass in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1) over 10.5 furlongs, he did not race again that year. Rather disappointing for his comeback in 2020, when 2nd over the mile in a minor Listed event, he redeemed himself in the Prix du Muguet (Gr2) and confirmed here with his 2nd Group 1 win.

2nd-placed Stormy Antarctic, however, is always so consistent in France, but this season he had been twice well beaten by the likes of Century Dream (Cape Cross) and Pogo, whom he beat easily here ...