20 August 2023

Mqse De Sevigne denies Via Sistina in Romanet thriller

20 August 2023

Andre Fabre’s Mqse De Sevigne pounced late to deny Via Sistina in a thrilling finish to the Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet.

The daughter of Siyouni successfully dropped back to a mile to land the Prix Rothschild last month and thrived once again up in trip to secure back-to-back Deauville Group One victories.

Ridden cold in rear by Alexis Pouchin, the four-year-old had the majority of the field ahead of her as the runners turned for home.

And as most eyes were drawn to the stylish progress being made by George Boughey’s Via Sistina who hit the front with what appeared a winning run under Jamie Spencer, Mqse De Sevigne was matching every stride and got her head narrowly ahead when it mattered to score by the barest of margins.

Betfair make Mqse De Sevigne a 6-1 chance from 14-1 to seal a hat-trick of Group One victories in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on September 30.

“We are very grateful to her and it is a wonderful moment for the whole team, for the stable, the stud, for Andre Fabre and the up-and-coming Alexis Pouchin. We are thrilled and delighted,” owner Baron Edouard de Rothschild told Sky Sports Racing.

“I think we will go for the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket the day before the Arc. I think she is flexible over distances and we have to find what suits her best.”

Of the runner-up, Boughey said: “She’s incredibly tough and also very good. She’s very physically imposing mare and, at the age of five is just coming of age. We may aim her at the Prix de l’Opéra.”

Above The Curve was third for Joseph O’Brien, who said: “She ran very well and has yet again been placed at Group One level.

“We’ll now be looking at the Qatar Prix Vermeille and the Blandford Stakes in terms of options for her.”

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