Prix D'Ispahan - Sosie

PRIX D'ISPAHAN

Paris Longchamp - 25/5/25 - Bon Souple 3,4

4YO+ G1 - 1,850m - €142,850

Time: 1:51.88 - Finishing Speed 109.7%

Back-to-back Group 1 wins for Sosie. Initially short of room leaving the stalls, Maxime Guyon had to rein him back into 4th, but that proved to be the ideal position. Tracking Elmalka into the straight, Guyon had to get serious with him to chase down the strong travelling runner-up, but he stays further than this and his stamina has ultimately won the day and once in front he was able to assert. Closing sectionals of 10.71 and 11.22s confirm that he has more speed than he is given credit for and he upheld the form from the Prix Ganay. A top speed of 67.1 km/h got him on terms with the runner-up, who had a 3-length advantage with 2-furlongs to run. Connections were rewarded for supplementing him here, though it’s hard to be certain that he has beaten another 120+ performer in this race. Could he win the Arc? Absolutely. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. A classy performance and one of a couple of chances for the Wertheimer’s this season (Aventure).

Sardinian Warrior (2nd) took a huge step forward for the Gosdens. The unbeaten run has come to an end, but the leap from a Listed Queen Anne trial at Ascot to a Group 1 race has been taken with ease. Traveled nicely for Christophe Soumillon behind the early pacemaker and loomed up menacingly into the straight. Ultimately he has been outstayed by a Group 1 horse that has won over 12-furlongs before and he may be better at a mile, but more than capable at this level and must be worth considering for the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot now.

Horizon Dore (3rd) has run another good race. Made good headway from the rear to come through runners and finish a clear 3rd. He is held by Sosie and there’s no reason to think that he will be able to reverse the form. However, he was faster than the runner-up over the final 3-furlongs (33.23s) and it’s not impossible to think that he could run well in the Prince of Wales’ Stakes at Ascot, as he did when finishing 3rd in that race 12-months ago. Races like the Prix Dollar, which he won in 2023, should be on the agenda later in the year.

Elmalka (4th) ran well to a point but for the 2nd race in a row has looked like the 9-furlong trip is beyond her. She was caught out for speed in the straight and wasn’t able to dip below an 11s furlong (as the first 3 did). She’s capable at this level, but may need to drop back to a mile, possibly at a lower level, to win again. Hasn’t won since the 1,000 Guineas last May (5 starts).

Dare to Dream (5th) isn’t quite up to Group 1 level. His connections have been very bold with their campaigning, but he was never really involved here and surely needs a drop in class. Caramelito (6th) made the running but finished tired and looks short of what’s required.