Divine Win in French One Thousand Guineas

The undefeated French star Divine Proportions ran her winning streak to seven, barely breaking a sweat while easing up at the end for a five-length victory in the Gainsborough Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Fr-I) Sunday at Longchamp.

The Pascal Bary-trained filly bided her time while second in the French One Thousand Guineas, taking the lead when allowed to go by Christophe Lemaire about a quarter-mile from home. She quickly pulled clear in a breathtaking effort for her third group I victory.

The one-mile event, which drew a field of eight, was contested on soft going.

The Kingmambo miss, owned by the Niarchos Family, had only one problem, that caused when her entrymate Ratukidul couldn't fulfill her pacesetting duties after breaking poorly. With Antique first and later Cherokee taking over on the lead, Lemaire kept Divine Proportions right behind the leaders until she was ready to kick on.

"That was formidable and she is a phenomenon," Bary told Racing Post. "Divine Proportions has so much speed and she had things wrapped up 400 meters out."

He said he has no doubt she will go longer, with her dam being the Sadler's Wells mare Myth to Reality, but was unsure of the filly's next start.

"She's easily the best horse I've ever ridden and a filly like her is a dream for any jockey to ride," Lemaire enthused. "I knew we had won before the entrance to the straight. When I let her go she quickened like a champion and I had a job to pull her up. Divine Proportions has never been put under pressure in any of her seven races and she's just literally pure class."

Flaxman Holdings Ltd. bred the winner.

Toupie finished second, 1 1/2 lengths clear of Ysoldina.

Then came Silk and Scarlet, Antique, Magical Romance, Cherokee and Ratukidul. The final time was 1:38.5

Most Popular Stories