Komorebi grabs second in G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains

Komorebi unleashed a strong late run to finish a length second to Rayif in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Longchamp, France, on Sunday, 10 May.

Lining up on the back of victory in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau (pictured), the Andre Fabre-trained Komorebi broke on terms and settled towards the rear on the outside of the field as Hankelow made the running in the mile Classic.

William Buick produced Komorebi wide in the straight and the Pinatubo colt showed good acceleration on testing ground to press Puerto Rico and Elastic for third approaching the final furlong.

Rayif headed Hankelow soon after and quickened away from the field, with Komorebi also collaring the long-time leader near the line to snatch second.

Louise Benard of Godolphin said: “We are very pleased with Komorebi, who ran extremely well. He found himself a little wide early in the race but, just as in the Prix de Fontainebleau, he showed that he never gives up. He really gives everything, with tremendous determination. He was still a bit further back than the others when the sprint began and showed great tenacity all the way to the line.

“William Buick said that perhaps slightly quicker ground would have suited him better, in which case he might have shown a sharper turn of foot. But it’s still a very fine second place today.

“When you look at his form, he has never finished outside the first two. Last year, we chose not to run him in the G1 Jean-Luc Lagardère to preserve him and give him time to mature. He had a very good winter, which we already saw on his comeback run and which was confirmed again today.”