Aesop's Fables collared Gregorian in deep stretch and charged to a one-length victory in the Prix Jean Prat (Fr-I) at Chantilly July 1.
The victory in the one mile contest was the first in a stakes for Aesop’s Fables, a Kentucky-bred 3-year-old son of Distorted Humor trained by Andre Fabre. It marked just the second win in seven starts for the bay colt, who entered the race off a third-place finish to Moonlight Cloud in the Prix Du Palais-Royal (Fr-III) June 2.
A field of eight sophomores lined up in the Prix Jean Prat, with the Nicolas Clement-trained French Fifteen--the only group I winner in the field--going off as the favorite. At the start, Arnold Lane broke sharply and shot straight to the front. Gregorian, owned by Princess Haya and trained by John Gosden, sat just off the leader in second, with Coup de Theatre in third.
Jockey Maxime Guyon had Aesop’s Fables relaxed and settled in fourth, as favored French Fifteen trailed the field.
Arnold Lane continued to lead as the field swept through the turn and entered the home straight. Gregorian edged closer under Mickael Barzalona, and moved past Arnold Lane to take the lead with two furlongs to go.
Guyon was hard at work aboard Aesop’s Fables, but was getting little response, as the colt seemed to be running in place. Deep within the final furlong Aesop’s Fables finally shifted gears, roaring past Gregorian 50 yards from the wire to win going away.
Gregorian finished second, two lengths in front of Coup de Theatre. French Fifteen failed to fire and finished seventh.
The final time for the eight furlongs was 1:37.59 over the good turf course.
After the race Guyon said of the winner, “He’s come on a lot from his last run. He was really at the top of his game today, very relaxed, and quickened well at the finish.”
Aesop’s Fables was bred by Darley Stud Management and races for Godolphin SNC. He is out of the stakes-placed Abhisheka, a daughter of Sadler’s Wells and a three-quarter sister to champions Lammtarra and Kammtarra.
