G1 Prix Rothschild challenges by Usherette and Arabian Hope
28 July, 2017
Usherette makes a second appearance in the Prix Rothschild, with Arabian Hope also lining up for Godolphin in the G1 mile contest for fillies and mares at Deauville, France, on Sunday, July 30.
Five-year-old Usherette (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona) finished seventh in the 2015 renewal of the race before going on to gain a couple of G2 victories over the same distance last year in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket, UK, and the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Shamardal mare ran on strongly after having to wait for a gap to take third, beaten a length, in this year’s Duke of Cambridge Stakes on June 21, and filled the same position in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan over nine furlongs at Chantilly on May 28 when going down by three quarters of a length.
Usherette started the year with another third, one and three quarters of a length in arrears of Jimmy Two Times in the mile G2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud on May 1.
Arabian Hope (Saeed bin Suroor/Christophe Soumillon) makes a second appearance at G1 level following a staying-on third behind Roly Poly and Wuheida in the Falmouth Stakes over a mile at Newmarket on July 14.
The progressive three-year-old Distorted Humor filly completed a hat-trick of victories with a game head success in a mile Listed race at York on June 17.
A field of 10 for the Prix Rothschild also includes this year’s Duke of Cambridge Stakes winner Qemah, who took the Prix Rothschild in 2016, Roly Poly and Irish G1 runner-up Persuasive.
Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin commented: “Usherette has come on for every run this year and is in great form.
“She was possibly a shade unlucky at Royal Ascot, when she didn’t get the run of the race, but this is a very tough contest.”
Saeed bin Suroor said: “Arabian Hope ran well to finish third on her first appearance in a G1 race at Newmarket and she has done well since.
“She heads to France in good form and we are looking for another good result.”
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