Two weeks after the crowning of the foal Ace Impact in the Prix du Jockey-Club, it is the turn of fifteen three-year-old fillies to battle on Sunday at Chantilly (Oise) in the 174th Prix de Diane over the 2100 meters of the racecourse of Chantilly (Oise) for a title of European Champion.
This most glamorous race of the year, contested in front of nearly 25,000 spectators, including many women with extravagant headdresses, has a million euro prize pool.
The favourite, Blue Rose Cen, will attempt a rare classic double after her victory in the Poule d’Essai for fillies over 1600 meters in May at ParisLongchamp. In case of victory, she will join the legendary fillies, such as Zarkava, or Aller France.
“Blue Rose Cen is fine. Fingers crossed that the extension of the distance suits him, ”commented Christopher Head, his mentor, son of Freddy Head, main rival of Yves Saint-Martin in the 70s. Lindy, she finished 2nd in the Poule d ‘Test of the Fillies with the Italian Cristian Demuro who will be keen to take his revenge.
“La Poule d’ Essai is a good springboard for Diane. Sunday, we change parameters, including that of distance, ”commented his trainer Christophe Ferland. “Over 2100 meters, she will be able to be in her rhythm. She has several strings to her bow, including a good gear change,” he argues of his student bought at Arqana sales for only 90,000 euros because of his small size. She will again be ridden by the Italian Cristian Demuro “without racing tactics”.
The Spanish trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias, still looking for a title in the “Diane”, will saddle Jannah Rose, for the colors of Al Shira’aa Farms, and Left Sea, belonging to the Wertheimer et Frère stable, historic owners of French races. Jannah Rose, undefeated in three races, won the Prix Saint-Alary in May at ParisLongchamp.
“The Prix Saint-Alary is a little less highly rated than the Poule d’Essai. We looked for convenience. The race was held at a selective train. Christophe Soumillon raised her in confidence, she won with the margin, ”rejoices Carlos Laffon-Parias. His filly “didn’t have a hard race. We let him decompress. She has speed on the way out, is manageable”. Left Sea, victorious in the good Prix Mélisande, can offer a first coronation to its jockey Olivier Peslier, aged 50.
Thought of the Day, triple winner, with André Fabre, “has always won well and with three different jockeys. She should deliver a good performance”, judge Anthony Stroud, the manager of the company Ballymore Thoroughbreds, owner of the filly. Englishmen John and Thady Gosden will saddle Running Lion and Ireland will be represented by Never Ending Story and Caroline Street.
