INTERNATIONAL RACING REVIEW - PRIX ROTHSCHILD

Blue Bolt continued her outstanding summer at Deauville on Sunday, following up her Falmouth Stakes success with a second consecutive Group One victory in the Prix Rothschild.

Sent off the 4/5 favourite, Andrew Balding’s four-year-old was made to work considerably harder than she had been at Newmarket three weeks earlier. Precise, beaten two lengths in the Falmouth, produced a much stronger challenge this time, but Blue Bolt once again proved too good, finding plenty under Colin Keane to prevail by half a length.

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The victory further strengthened Blue Bolt’s position among Europe’s leading milers and continued a remarkable period for Juddmonte, Balding and Keane. Just eight days earlier, the same owner, trainer and jockey combination had celebrated Kalpana’s memorable success in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Moon Target ensured there was an honest gallop from the outset under Luke Morris, while Precise travelled prominently and appeared to have every opportunity to reverse the Newmarket form. Blue Bolt raced away from her main rival towards the stands’ side before responding strongly when asked for her effort, eventually getting the better of Precise in a far tighter finish than their previous meeting.

There was still plenty to like about Precise in defeat. The Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old has already won the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes this season, and this represented another high-class effort. She reduced the deficit with Blue Bolt from two lengths in the Falmouth to just half a length despite receiving a smaller weight-for-age allowance in France.

A step up in trip could now be considered for Precise. O’Brien suggested afterwards that connections may explore that option, and her ability to travel strongly through a mile before staying on under pressure gives encouragement that further could be within her range.

Moon Target produced another excellent effort to finish third. Sir Mark Prescott’s filly was allowed to stride on in front and remained in contention deep into the final furlong, eventually holding off 1,000 Guineas runner-up Evolutionist by a neck. Having progressed significantly during her three-year-old campaign, she continues to establish herself as a genuine Group One performer.

Evolutionist also took a step back in the right direction after disappointing behind Blue Bolt in the Falmouth, while Godspeed and Gaga Girl finished fifth and sixth respectively. The compact nature of the finish, with fewer than three lengths separating the first six, underlined the strength and competitiveness of the contest.

For Blue Bolt, attention is now likely to turn towards Ireland. Juddmonte’s European Racing Manager Barry Mahon indicated that the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown is the preferred target, where she could attempt to complete a remarkable hat-trick of Group One victories.

Having won the Falmouth and Prix Rothschild in the space of just 23 days, Blue Bolt has transformed herself from a progressive filly into one of the standout performers of the European season. The Matron could provide her next opportunity to confirm that status.  written by Andrew Nicoll