Sosie Tries for Group 1 Double in Prix d’Ispahan
The Prix d’Ispahan (G1) presents a devilishly trappy profile for punters, acting as it does as a crossroads for milers and middle-distance specialists over its trip of 1 3/16 miles over Longchamp’s Grande Piste.
It falls four weeks on from the Prix Ganay (G1) and is run over just three-quarters of a furlong further, yet from the seven attempts made so far this century, only Cirrus des Aigles in 2014 has completed the double.
Sosie will attempt to buck that trend May 25 having been supplemented by the Wertheimers and Andre Fabre, and looks likely to appreciate decent ground and a strong pace, for all that he hasn’t run over this sort of distance since he was a 2-year-old.
The Ispahan’s roll of honor is littered with the names of high-class milers who stretched out on what is a fairly easy track which rolls downhill during its midsection, and although there may not be a Solow or a Goldikova in the line-up, both last season’s One Thousand Guineas (G1) heroine Elmalka and Sosie’s stablemate Alcantor bring a good level of form at the shorter trip.
Elmalka made her return to action over 1 1/8 miles when second in the Dahlia Stakes (G2) and although no match for the progressive Cinderella’s Dream , appears to retain plenty of enthusiasm. Silvestre de Sousa could be in for a big afternoon at Longchamp as he also rides Dubai Future in the following Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (G1).
Alcantor traveled as if he would be a big factor in the bet365 Mile (G2) at Sandown before flattening to finish fourth behind Dancing Gemini , but connections believe he will be sharper now. Although he has produced some of his best efforts on deeper ground, 3.4 on the penetrometer (somewhere between good and good-to-firm) should not prove insurmountable.
John and Thady Gosden are 1-for-11 in French group 1s since Inspiral ‘s second Prix Jacques le Marois (g1) in August 2023, but in Sardinian Warrior they present an almost completely unexposed candidate who is second only to Sosie on official ratings, despite just a listed win at Ascot, his first try on turf in five starts.
Horizon Dore was touched off by a short head in this race 12 months ago but is not the easiest horse to catch right, while Dare to Dream has the talent to get into the shake-up.
Sosie Could be Heading to the Eclipse
Sosie confirmed his standing as just about the best of his generation to stay in training when edging out Map of Stars in the Prix Ganay, a victory over 1 5/16 miles that showed him to have more zip than many might have suspected.
Although he is undoubtedly effective at a mile and a half, as demonstrated by his win in the 2024 Grand Prix de Paris (G1) and his fourth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), that return victory has opened up more avenues for the son of Sea The Stars .
The Wertheimers racing manager Pierre-Yves Bureau said: “The way he won the Ganay showed he is competitive at that trip and straight away we thought about taking him to the Eclipse. That meant we needed to find a race in between and there weren’t 50 to choose from.
“This is probably a bit on the short side for him but we know that he has developed into a good 4-year-old, and I hope he can be there at the finish.”
The 1 1/4-mile Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) is slated for July 5 at Sandown.
