G3 Prix de Saint-Georges proves perfect for Ideal Beauty

Ideal Beauty became the first three-year-old in 19 years to capture the G3 Prix de Saint-Georges with a cosy win in the five-furlong sprint at Longchamp, France, on Sunday, 16 May.

The Andre Fabre-trained filly, taking on older opposition for the first time after finishing third in the G3 Prix Sigy at Chantilly in April, broke on terms and settled in mid-field of the 13 runners.

Ideal Beauty travelled strongly behind horses two furlongs out and quickened impressively when switched out by Mickael Barzalona shortly after, collaring Berneuil near the line for a three-quarter length success.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Ideal Beauty is a filly with plenty of experience at this stage of her career. This was the perfect opportunity and a great entry picked out by Andre because she had the weight allowance, while the absence of foreign runners opened up the race a bit as well.

“These sprint horses need to run when the opportunities come up and we are absolutely delighted that she is a G3 winner now. We haven’t discussed the rest of the season with her, so we will see how she comes out of this and Andre will decide where to go next.”