Ispahan: Skalleti stands on higher ground

Sunday May 30, 2021, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris). - Breeder-owner Jean-Claude Seroul’s crazy day at ParisLongchamp resulted in a third consecutive victory, this time in the top race on the card, the Prix d'Ispahan (Gr1) won by Skalleti (Kendargent). Trained by Jérôme Reynier and ridden with extreme confidence by Gérald Mossé, the 6-year-old gleding defeated two British raiders, Tilsit (First Defense) and My Oberon (Dubawi), beaten by a head and a short neck on the wire. Hitherto considered a soft ground horse, Skalleti has now recorded his greatest success on a rather firmer turf, after having travelled in the rear of a small field led by Ecrivain (Lope de Vega) and Tilsit, himself trailed by My Oberon. The latter had finished seventh to the great Palace Pier at Newbury in the Lockinge Stakes (Gr1) last time out.

Skalleti now has run 21 times, and won 16 races for over € 1m in earnings and premiums. Before this success at Group 1 level, he won his Group 3 at the end of the season, then a Group 2, the Prix d'Harcourt, over 1m1f at ParisLongchamp, for his comeback. Previously, excluding a misstep in Hong Kong which can easily be forgiven, the gray had finished second at Ascot of the Champion Stakes (Gr1).

Sold € 85,000 at the Deauville sales to Seroul's bloodstock advisor Alain Decrion as a yearling, Skalleti is out of Skallet (Muhaymin), a Listed winner at Bordeaux. She also gave Skalleto (Kendargent), Listed-placed for Guy Pariente and a 4-year-old gelding, Skazino (Kendargent), winner of 11 races including the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (Gr2) last Sunday for his second winning test of stamina. A Kendargent colt was born in 2019.