By Tom Frary
Showing that she is now a regular presence in the top strata, Baron Edouard De Rothschild's Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}–Penne {Fr}, by Sevres Rose {Ire}) battled to a third top-level victory in ParisLongchamp's G1 Prix d'Ispahan on Sunday.
Needing all of the unique nine furlongs and 55 yards to get to Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), last year's G1 Prix Rothschild and G1 Prix Jean Romanet winner enjoyed the perfect tow under cover from Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) and benefitted from a typically nerveless Alexis Pouchin ride saving ground throughout. Coaxed through a gap to get to Horizon Dore in the shade of the post, the 6-4 favourite had a short head to spare there with Haya Zark (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) 3/4 of a length away in third.
Mqse De Sevigne, who was sharpened for this with a course-and-distance win in the Listed Prix Jacques Laffitte last month, has fully justified the decision De Rothschild to keep her in training. “She has now won a group 1 against colts, another major accomplishment by this lovely mare,” he said, before revealing the season plan. “My father had the dam, it is great for the stud and our breeding program. The brother won three group 1s over a mile and a half, so we have to try with her also and therefore our major target is the Arc. We want to try and to have no regrets. She is five and in top form, so it is the right moment. She will have a break now and return this summer in Deauville, in the Rothschild, then the Romanet, two races to build her up toward the Arc.”
Pauline Cheboub said of Horizon Dore, “It is frustrating to be beaten by so little in a group 1, but we're happy to see that he is coming back to his best. We will be there at Royal Ascot in the Prince of Wales's.”
Trainer Adrien Fouassier said of Haya Zark, “This was a great performance again, top-class. He would probably have done with softer ground, but we have no complaints and he will be back in the autumn.”
Mqse De Sevigne gets there!
A nail-biter ends with victory for Alexis Pouchin and Andre Fabre in the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan… pic.twitter.com/3BzTRQCWnB
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 26, 2024
Pedigree Notes
Mqse De Sevigne is, as De Rothschild pointed out, a half-sister to the G1 Grand Prix de Paris, G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin and G1 Preis von Europa winner Meandre (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}). The dual listed-placed dam Penne is also responsible for the Listed River Eden Fillies' S. runner-up Dogma (Fr) (Mount Nelson {GB}), while this is the direct dam line of the G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches-winning champion Apollonia (Fr) (Djebel {Fr}). Penne's as-yet unraced 3-year-old colt by Kodiac (GB) is named Mr L'Apothicaire (Fr).
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX D'ISPAHAN-G1, €250,000, ParisLongchamp, 5-26, 4yo/up, 9 1/4fT, 1:54.69, sf.
1–MQSE DE SEVIGNE (IRE), 125, m, 5, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: Penne (Fr) (MSP-Fr), by Sevres Rose (Ire)
2nd Dam: Une Pensee (Fr), by Kenmare (Fr)
3rd Dam: Cleophis (Fr), by Crepello (GB)
O-Baron Edouard de Rothschild; B-Ecurie de Meautry (IRE); T-Andre Fabre; J-Alexis Pouchin. €142,850. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 15-6-6-1, €710,151. *1/2 to Meandre (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}), MG1SW-Fr & Ger, $1,692,990; and Dogma (Fr) (Mount Nelson {GB}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Horizon Dore (Fr), 128, g, 4, Dabirsim (Fr)–Sweet Alabama (Fr), by Enrique (GB). (€45,000 Ylg '21 ARAUG). O-Gousserie Racing, Ecurie du Sud, Ecurie Gribomont, Daniel Dumoulin, Chantal Becq & Mme Francoise Delaunay; B-Chantal Becq (FR); T-Patrice Cottier. €57,150.
3–Haya Zark (Fr), 128, h, 5, Zarak (Fr)–Haya City (Fr), by Elusive City. O/B-Mme Odette Fau (FR); T-Adrien Fouassier. €28,575.
Margins: SHD, 3/4, HD. Odds: 1.50, 7.30, 8.70.
Also Ran: Dolayli (Fr), Blue Rose Cen (Ire), Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire), Brave Emperor (Ire), Checkandchallenge (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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