Baltic Baroness, a 22-1 longshot, handed Pomology her first defeat Sept. 14 when denying her relentless challenge through the final furlong to win the Prix Vermeille (Fr-I) by a short head at Longchamp. Favorite Treve was unplaced in a third straight loss.
The Prix Vermeille is prep for fillies and mares ahead of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) in October at the Parisian racecourse. Last year's undefeated Arc winner Treve, the early favorite for Europe's premier middle-distance test this year leading up to the Prix Vermeille, could do no better than fourth as the even-money favorite.
Dolniya checked in third, 1 1/4 lengths behind Pomology, with Treve another head back.
A Gestut Ammerland homebred by Shamardal, Baltic Baroness covered 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) in 2:28.22 on good turf.
Ridden by Maxime Guyon for trainer Andre Fabre, Baltic Baroness posted her first group I win and added a third straight victory to her record following recent listed stakes wins at Compiegne and Maisons-Laffitte.
With Pomology leading early, Guyon positioned Baltic Baroness prominently in midfield. When the pace picked up, Baltic Baroness was a bit slow to respond but gradually found her best stride to overtake Pomology nearing the finish line.
Baltic Baroness is a 4-year-old out of the winning Sadler's Wells mare Born Wild, herself a daughter of 1997 German Derby (Ger-I) winner Borgia. She won last year's Prix Cleopatre before an unsuccessful bid for the Prix de Diana (Fr-I, French Oaks) ,and has a 5-1-0 record from 12 career starts.
Trainer Criquette Head-Maarek did not rule out a return for the Arc next month for Treve, who was replaced as the market favorite by Epsom Oaks (Eng-I) and King George Vi and Queen Elizabeth (Eng-I) winner Taghrooda at 5-1.
"I think she ran a good race and we don't have to rule her out for the moment," she told Racing Post about Treve, who was starting for the first time since injuring her back in June at Royal Ascot. "I need to speak to (owner) Sheikh Joaan. She needed the race. She was shorter in her action; she didn't kick like she did in the Arc last year. But knowing she has had feet problems, don't rule her out of the Arc."
The card included two other Arc preps as well as the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-I), narrowly won by Charm Spirit.
Sheikh Joann's could have two other Arc contenders in Ruler of The World, who won the Arc prep for older runners, the Prix Foy (Fr-II), marking his first victory in six starts since capturing the 2013 Investec Epsom Derby (Eng-I); and Ectot, winner of the Prix Neil (Fr-II), the Arc prep for the classic division, in whom the sheikh recently purchased a share.
Charm Spirit captured the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp by a head from Shiekh Joaan's Queen Anne (Eng-I) winner Toronado, who strongly pressed the winner through the final furlong.
Victor last time out in the Prix Jean Prat (Fr-I) in July at Chantilly, Charm Spirit covered 1,600 miles (about one mile) in 1:35.90 under Thierry Jarnet, who was riding for trainer Freddy Head. Toronado's stablemate, QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) winner Night of Thunder was third, another neck back.
A son of Invincible Spirit—L'Enjoleuse, by Montjeu, Charm Spirit, has a 5-1-1 record from eight career starts for Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalifa Al Thani.
