Churchill’s Terrific Season Continues In Prix Marcel Boussac

Blue Rose Cen (2f Churchill - Queen Blossom, by Jeremy) forged clear to capture Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp.

The Christopher Head-trained filly has maintained an upward curve since her maiden victory in June, going on to impress in a conditions race and was denied a short head at Stakes level by Victoria Road (Saxon Warrior), before gaining Group 3 success over Sunday’s course and distance.

Partnered by regular rider Aurelien Lemaitre, she raced close to the pace throughout and made her move up the rail two furlongs from home. Soon in front, she ran on strongly to score by five lengths as Gan Teorainn (Saxon Warrior) completed a 1-2 for Coolmore sires.

“It’s incredible,” the winning trainer later said. “This filly has been like this since the beginning of the year. She is always at her best and I think she could be a really nice three-year-old. I don't know when I realised how far clear she was but it's a wonderful sign with a view to next year. She looks a Classic filly.”

Owned and bred by Yeguada Centurion, Blue Rose Cen continues a terrific season for her sire Churchill, whose dual Group 1 winning son Vadeni finished a gallant second in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe later on the card.

Jean-Claude Rouget’s charge was denied half a length by the five-year-old mare Alpinista, with Christophe Soumillon later commenting, “He's run a super race and halfway up the straight I thought I'd win. He didn't crack, he's as hard as rock.”

The top-class three-year-old is owned by breeder the Aga Khan Stud and Princess Zahra Aga Khan said, “I'm very proud, and he was accelerating all the way to the line.”