Ispahan : Zabeel Prince, young at heart
Photo scoopdyga.com
The French team was unable to overcome Zabeel Prince (Lope de Vega) in the Prix d’Ispahan (Gr1), Sunday at ParisLongchamp over an extended 9-furlongs trip. The Roger Varian-trained 6-year-old gelding, who had just achieved his best rating to date by easily winning the Earl of Sefton Stakes (Gr3) at Newmarket, stayed on ahead of Study of Man (Deep Impact), who kept on outer but could not to challenge the winner and confirmed his return into top form initiated in the Prix Ganay (Gr1), over 2,100m for his seasonal return. Already third last year of this race, Trais Fluors (Dansili) finished well this year again ahead of Intellogent (Intello), coming from the last ranks with cheekpieces on for the first time.
The others could not cope.
Zabeel prince had just beaten subsequent Lockinge Stakes (Gr1) winner Mustashry, third that day at Newmarket, three and a half lengths behind the winner. Purchased £ 325,000 a yearling, Zabeel Prince won his first Gr1 on Sunday his 6th win altogether in ten races spread over four seasons. It was his first race outside Britain.