3 minute read
John and Thady Gosden have taken to decision to supplement Oaks heroine Soul Sister for the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp this Friday.
The daughter of Frankel caused something of a surprise when winning the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes by four lengths at York following a disappointing run on soft ground in the Fred Darling Stakes on her reappearance. However, the Lady Bamford-owned filly proved it to be no fluke when coming away nicely by a length and a half to score from Savethelastdance in this year's Epsom Oaks.
Soul Sister has been ridden by Frankie Dettori on all three starts this season but with the Italian-born rider suspended for careless riding in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot, Kieran Shoemark has been booked as his deputy.
Shoemark, who will bid for a fourth Group 1 success this Friday, has previous big-race experience at Longchamp having guided the Ed Walker-trained Dreamloper to victory in both the Prix d'Ispahan and Prix du Moulin last season.
Soul Sister is the sole English-trained representative in the Grand Prix de Paris following Tuesday's confirmation stage and will face a maximum of seven rivals.
Aidan O'Brien's Adelaide River will be hoping to go one better than when second to Auguste Rodin in the Irish Derby at the Curragh while stablemate Peeking Opera, who was fourth in the aforementioned Group 1, also features in the eight entries.
Feed The Flame lost his unbeaten record when fourth behind the impressive Ace Impact in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly and he looks to bounce back to winning ways for trainer Pascal Bary. Andre Fabre's only entry, First Minister, impressed when landing the Prix Hocquart over 1m3f at the course last start while Rubis Vendome and Silawi, who finished first and second in the Prix du Lys Longines at Chantilly last month, both look set to take their chance.
Thady Gosden said: "Obviously it is the last mile-and-a-half three-year-old race in Europe and unlike the Irish Oaks, it gives you time to come back for the Nassau at Goodwood.
"The Irish Oaks is a little too close to Goodwood if you wanted to take in both races, and we are looking forward to running her at Longchamp.
"Kieran partnered her on the Rowley Mile last week and was happy with her and she has done some routine work subsequently."
The supplementary cost €15,000.