Persian King returned to Gr1 winning form at Chantilly on Sunday, setting a new course record in the process of winning the Prix d’Ispahan (1800m).
Settled in place from the star, Persian King stayed there until turning for home where he assumed the lead, always looking the likely winner and with two-lengths to spare over Stormy Antarctic (Stormy Atlantic) at the finish, the time of 1:47.20 a new course record (pic: France Galop/Scoop DYGA).
Winner of last year’s Poule d’Essai des Poulains and runner-up in the Prix du Jockey-Club, the Ballymore and Godolphin four-year-old son of Kingman is likely to return to running at a mile trainer Andre Fabre told the Racing Post.
“He’s given us some heartaches and some headaches as well,” said Fabre. “He’s a fantastic athlete and it’s quite common for big horses like that to need a bit of time.
“He’s going to run in August and the obvious option is the Prix Jacques le Marois. The other option – and it really is just an option – is the Juddmonte International at York. But for now it’s going to be the Marois.”