Persian King back on the throne again

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Persian King emerges victorious in the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan in Chantilly, France, on Sunday. - Supplied photo
Persian King emerges victorious in the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan in Chantilly, France, on Sunday. - Supplied photo

Dubai - The four-year-old colt wins the Prix d'Ispahan in Chantilly, France to swell Godolphin's Group 1 tally to nine winners this season

By James Jose

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Published: Sun 19 Jul 2020, 8:49 PM

Last updated: Sun 19 Jul 2020, 10:56 PM

Godolphin landed their ninth Group 1 winner this season as Persian King showed the swagger and strode like a king to emerge triumphant in the Prix d'Ispahan on Sunday.
The four-year-old colt from Kingman rode a dominant race under jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot to win the one-mile and one-furlong contest by two lengths over Stormy Antarctic in Chantilly, France.
It was Persian King's second Group 1 success following his victory in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains last year and his fourth win in six starts.

It was Godolphin's third victory in the race having previously won it with Hailing in 1996 and Best of the Bests in 2002.
Godolphin eight previous Group 1 winners have been Colette in the Australian Oaks, Bivouac in the Newmarket Handicap, Barney Roy in the Jebel Hatta at Meydan, Trekking in The Furphy Goodwood and Victor Ludorum in the French 2000 Guineas, the brilliant Ghaiyyath in the Coronation Cup Stakes and the Coral Eclipse Stakes, and Pinatubo in the Prix Jean Prat, last Sunday.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has also tasted success twice following back-to-back race wins in 1989 and 1990 with Indian Skimmer and Creator respectively.
The victory swelled Godolphin's tally of Group 1 winners to nine this season and 324 overall.
Breaking from stall eight, Persian King snuck into second place behind Pogo before making the move with two furlongs left to go. Andre Fabre's charge then steered clear to take the winning post.
"I am delighted with Persian King," said Fabre, who became the leading trainer of the race with nine wins.
"Nine furlongs and a mile seem to suit him very well but we may look at stepping him up further in time," the Frenchman added.
Fabre's previous victories were on Al Nasr (1982), Crystal Glitters (1984), Creator (1990), Arcangues (1993), Loup Sauvage (1998), Valixir (2005), Manduro (2007) and Golden Lilac (2012).
"Persian King is just a great horse," said Pierre-Charles Boudot. 
"He was a bit nervous because the weather is quite hot today but did it easily. He was slightly keen beforehand but he is a big horse with a big action and good stamina," added the 27-year-old.
Elsewhere, in Saratoga, USA, Antoinette finished third in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks on Saturday.
james@khaleejtimes.com

GODOLPHIN'S GROUP 1 WINNERS THIS SEASON:

Colette (Australian Oaks)
Bivouac (Newmarket Handicap)
Barney Roy (Jebel Hatta)
Trekking (The Furphy Goodwood)
Victor Ludorum (French 2000 Guineas)
Ghaiyyath (Coronation Cup Stakes)
Ghaiyyath (Coral Eclipse Stakes)
Pinatubo (Prix Jean Prat)
Persian King (Prix d'Ispahan)


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