Rouhiya’s surprise victory on 12 May at the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) provided a perfect illustration of the Aga Khan’s dictum that racing and racehorse breeding is a game Chess with nature.
A month ago, Francis Graffard thought he had discovered his Classic game when Candala won what is traditionally the strongest preparation in the Longchamp 3 group. Four days later, Rouhiya finished third in a racing conditions at the same track.
Candala failed to make the expected progress while Rouhiya flourished to run and return to the spring field, and produced a decisive leg spin under Maxime Guyon to take out the Brian Meehan-coached training. Kathmandu . You tourists Vespertilio And Romantic style has a head and a short neck at the back.
“It took a long time to get her out this season because she’s a really well-grounded girl and unfortunately I ran out of time and had to get her here,” Graffard said. on sticky ground, this is really the last option.”
“But she had a lot of trouble running. I was really hesitant before entering this race but Princess Zahra told me there was only one Poule d’Essai and we should try our luck . This is my first group 1 for the Aga Khan and it’s a Classic, with an image I’ve always loved.”
Graffard added: “You make your plans and I knew she was in top form so that was fantastic. Last year when she won at Deauville I knew she must be good because of the way she She finished. I thought I won the Poule then won the Grotte with Candala but she needed more time so I had to shuffle the cards, this filly has really become a lot stronger and when come D-Day, she was there for us.
Rouhiya was also entered in the Coronation Stakes and Paddy Power clipped the maiden Lope De Vega from 50-1 to 33-1, while Coral was more impressive and went 12-1.
Asked whether Rouhiya would be asked to step up to 1 5/16 miles in the Prix de Diane, Graffard said: “I don’t know, she might stay further because she’s a filly with We can relax a bit and relax. Let’s discuss in the group and in the meantime enjoy the victory.”
Sean Levey set steady fractions at the front aboard Kathmandu, who was last seen third in the Nell Gwyn Stakes, and was just a few paces away from a famous win.
“She’s the seventh Classic-ranked horse I’ve ever had,” Meehan said with all-too-understandable disappointment. “She ran brilliantly. I think Sean gave her an excellent ride. That man rides really well, he’s such a top jockey.
“The team at home did a fantastic job, because traveling is never easy. The guys on my team always did a great job and all credit to them as well Ed Babington and Sam Sangster for sending her to me.”
Vespertilio is the only one of the seven to make her seasonal debut and is only half a length away from breaking her Group 1 duck, following a runner-up effort in the Moyglare (G1) last season.
“(Trainer) Willie McCreery has done a fantastic job getting the colt here in top condition,” said Kieran Lalor, racing director for owner Al Shira’aa. “We were skeptical whether she would go the distance but she has put it to bed and we will see how she does. She is in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation and I know the The owner loves coming to Royal Ascot.”
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