3 October 2021
Photo scoopdyga.com
Rougir got up in the dying strides to win the Prix de l’Opéra Longines. Trained on the training centre at Calas-Cabriès (Bouches-du-Rhône), Rougir snatched victory from the Gianluca Bietolini trained Grand Glory, who is trained in Maisons-Laffitte. Eudaimonia, trained in Luché-Pringé (Sarthe) by upcoming young trainer Édouard Monfort, took an excellent third place.
Rougir was ridden by Maxime Guyon. This was the first success at group one level for her trainer Cédric Rossi. Rougir finished third in last year’s running of the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (Group 1). She is owned by Haras de la Gousserie, which was founded by Kamel et Bouzid Chehboub. She was bred by Jan Krauze, long-time journalist who breeds at Haras du Haut Gué, in the Orne region.
REACTION FROM CONNECTIONS
Maxime Guyon (jockey of Rougir, 1st)
“That went well! I was badly drawn, and I had to be patient. Her trainer told me before-hand that the ground wouldn’t be a problem. I would like to thank all the connections for trusting me again, as I didn’t give her the best of rides in the French Guineas. It’s magic. I am really happy for Cedric too. This filly really deserved that.”
Cédric Rossi (trainer of Rougir, 1st)
“It’s fantastic, she always gives everything on the track She really deserved that and I am absolutely delighted for everyone.”
Pauline Chehboub (representative for Haras de la Gousserie, owner of Rougir, 1st)
“We are hoping to go to the Breeders' Cup next month. She is incredible and loves a fight. It’s great to win a Group 1 with her. We have often thought of different ways to win a Group 1 with her, and now we’ve done it. She was magnificent on the run-in.”
Gianluca Bietolini (trainer of Grand Glory, 2nd)
“Grand Glory has run yet another huge race! We won the Darley Prix Jean Romanet, we won by a nose and today we were beaten by one... that’s the magic of racing (laughs). There are
no excuses. This will be her last year in training and we will have a look at where she goes next. She has been invited to run in the Japan Cup, but nothing has been decided for the moment.”
Édouard Monfort (trainer of Eudaimonia, 3rd)
“We have looked after Eudaimonia all year. With the help of John Hammond, racing manager for her owner, we have been able to keep her fresh all year. We rode her very quietly for her first two runs of the year. We didn’t have ideal conditions for those races so we didn’t force her. Today was the big day and we were glad that the rain came. That is the reason that we chose this race instead of the Prix Dahlia or the Qatar Prix Dollar (Group 2). It was the right decision! She is a lovely mare who has come on massively, last year she was only rated 68. That was a proper race and there is no excuses for anyone, she deserved that. The front pair are two very good horses and well done to them, but I am also very proud of Eudaimonia. She is entered in Italy next month and if the ground is soft, we will have a look. There is also the Prix du Conseil de Paris (Group 2) we will see how she comes out of this. We might even think about travelling abroad with her this winter... why not!”