Andre Fabre’s Mqse De Sevigne pounced late to deny Via Sistina in a thrilling finish to the Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet.
The daughter of Siyouni successfully dropped back to a mile to land the Prix Rothschild last month and thrived once again up in trip to secure back-to-back Deauville Group One victories.
Ridden cold in rear by Alexis Pouchin, the four-year-old had the majority of the field ahead of her as the runners turned for home.
And as most eyes were drawn to the stylish progress being made by George Boughey’s Via Sistina who hit the front with what appeared a winning run under Jamie Spencer, Mqse De Sevigne was matching every stride and got her head narrowly ahead when it mattered to score by the barest of margins.
Betfair make Mqse De Sevigne a 6-1 chance from 14-1 to seal a hat-trick of Group One victories in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on September 30.
“We are very grateful to her and it is a wonderful moment for the whole team, for the stable, the stud, for Andre Fabre and the up-and-coming Alexis Pouchin. We are thrilled and delighted,” owner Baron Edouard De Rothschild told Sky Sports Racing.
“I think we will go for the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket the day before the Arc. I think she is flexible over distances and we have to find what suits her best.”
Of the runner-up, Boughey said: “She’s incredibly tough and also very good. She’s very physically imposing mare and, at the age of five is just coming of age. We may aim her at the Prix de l’Opéra.”
Above The Curve was third for Joseph O’Brien, who said: “She ran very well and has yet again been placed at Group One level.
“We’ll now be looking at the Qatar Prix Vermeille and the Blandford Stakes in terms of options for her.”
Earlier on the card, Prix Saint-Alary scorer Jannah Rose got back to winning ways curtesy of a fine ride from Christophe Soumillon in the Sumbe Prix Alec Head.
Last seen finishing sixth in the Prix de Diane, trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias was delighted to see his star filly thrive once more and will now target further 10-furlong glory back at ParisLongchamp on Arc day.
“She was the only Group One winner in the race but after the battle she had in the Prix de Diane you are always waiting till you see her again on the track and she showed she was better than the others,” the trainer said.
“For me it is a pleasure to win the Prix Alec Head for the first time as I had a lot of good moments with him. I was lucky to marry his granddaughter and we have a lot of fun together. It’s a big thing for me and I hope one day it is a Group One race as that name merits a Group One race.
“She was a bit free after two months off and there was not a lot of pace. She came very easily and won well. Christophe told me once in front she stopped herself, but she did what we asked her to do.
“I don’t think she is a mile and a half filly to tell the truth so I don’t think we’ll try the Prix Vermeille and we will go straight to the Prix de l’Opera and then the Breeders’ Cup if everything goes right.”
