Inspire erase the memory of a puzzling performance at Newmarket to knock out a host of Europe’s best tennis players on August 14 and secure a third consecutive Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard victory Jacques Le Marois (G1) for both John and Thady Gosden and Frankie Dettori.
Much has been written about their reunion after a difficult week at Royal Ascot.
The Inspiral has been a bright spot in a series of misfortunes, but following the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (G1) at Newmarket, it’s the rider and the swashbuckler that need to get back on the same page.
Dettori, who won the Deauville summer’s €1 million prize, said: “Her final work was amazing, it turned out just as I wanted it to.”
“She’s a true champion,” Dettori said. “She was probably champion at the age of three because today it was a great performance against the older horses, the Guineas winners.”
Inspiral wins the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville
Cheveley Park’s Richard Thompson has said that the Inspiral is currently the best model to bring red, white and blue colors to the Flat, and Dettori added: “I can’t disagree too much with Richard, she’s the one. a champion.”
Bathrat Leon was towed along the course in rapid segments on a track that was already faster than any other 1-mile group layout in Europe. It’s testament to Inspiral’s flight speed that she was able to pick up the baton just inside the two-feathered marker, clearly increasing before repelling the late thrusts of the first. Erevann third place, and then Light infantry who was behind the winner. Coroebus favorites 13-8, finished fifth, and then-trainer Charlie Appleby said he would consider moving the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) winner back to seven feathers.
A time of 1:34.07 is the third fastest in race history, and John Gosden is no doubt his daughter Frankel Stability compared to Falmouth is what allows her to kick turbo when required.
“Frankie said they went ahead very hard, very strong, and he was able to move forward sooner than he intended,” Gosden said. “I thought it would be Coroebus, but in the end it was the French horse that lunged at us.
“The great thing is that she’s comfortable today, which doesn’t happen at Newmarket. She was over-running against daylight and paid the price. But she did the right thing today.”
When asked how pleased he felt to resume his previous unbeaten run with Inspiral, Gosden added: “If you can’t achieve success in this game, don’t join. As someone once said. , it’s a carpet of roses with a lot of thorns in it.”
Paddy Power has cut Inspiral to 7-2 (from 5) for the Qipco Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) at Ascot, and that will be her main season-ending goal, with Breeders’ Cup in mind being held to have potential 4. career age.
Winning as second favorite 9-5 secured the 3-year-old a guaranteed starting spot in the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) via Series Breeders ‘ Cup Challenge: Win and You’re In.
Reflecting on Cheveley Park, the Thompson family and its late founder, Gosden said: “David isn’t here, but we do have Mrs. Pat Thompson and all the grandchildren; Richard, her son, for so that’s a suitable voter.
“They flew in and we flew over, so thank goodness she won at that expense.”
Richard Thompson was raised on his parents’ passion for breeding and racing and was well positioned to put the Inspiral operation against the backdrop of the great champions of the operation of the past 30 years.
“This is one of the most prestigious mile races in Europe, a top race,” Thompson said. “It’s a pity she couldn’t win one of the Guineas, but this made up for it.
“The Coronation stake and now here it is, the double of which is very special. We’ve never had a blunder at this level, to be 2 year old champions and then win Jacques Le Marois and the Coronation double, and being a hybrid, this is special.”
When you consider a list that includes Russian Rhythm, Nannina and Virtual, Inspiral overshadows some notable performers on Cheveley Park’s honor roll.
