White Birch Farm’s Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) defeated Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) in Sunday's G1 QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly.
The 13-1 chance powered away to score by two lengths in course-record time, with Motamarris (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}) the same margin away in third. The winning time was an astounding 2:02.90, the fastest Jockey Club by almost three seconds since it was chopped to this trip from a mile and a half in 2005 and the fastest ever race run at this track over this distance by more than a second.
Cristian Demuro, who also rode the G1 Prix de Diane heroine La Cressonniere (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) for Jean-Claude Rouget in 2016, was understandably delighted.
“This is my fifth Group 1 for M. Rouget and the stable has supported me throughout the years,” Demuro said. “Everybody in the yard is doing a great job and these races are not easy to win, so it’s a great moment of emotion. He can be a little bit keen sometimes, so I wanted to get cover quickly and he travelled very well and relaxed. Turning for home, I found myself in the wake of the favourite very easily and it couldn’t have been better for me. Once I moved him out, he really took off. He’s a proper Group 1 horse and I think a mile and a half will not be a problem.”
Peter Brandt’s colour-bearer practically silenced the Chantilly crowd who were stunned to see the country’s supposed best 3-year-old, Persian King, overturned so comprehensively.
"Even though I have won a few Grade 1 races in my own country, this is right up there and will stay with me for a long time. I won’t fill the role of M. Rouget and say where he runs, but what I can say is that I attended my first Arc 50 years ago and that is the race I want to win one day.”
Sottsass was purchased by Oceanic Bloodstock for €340,000 at Arqana August. She's a half-sister to Sistercharlie (Ire), who Brandt bought into prior to her Diane defeat after which she captured the GI Beverly D. S., GI Diana S., GI Jenny Wiley S. and GI Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf to be crowned champion turf female in the United States.
