Classic heartbreak: Shes Perfect demoted after French Guineas triumph

Zarigana

was awarded the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp after the Charlie Fellowes-trained

Shes Perfect

was demoted following a stewards’ inquiry.

Francis-Henri Graffard’s Zarigana had come out narrowly on top when the pair met in the Prix de la Grotte over the course and distance last month and was a hot favourite to confirm her superiority in the 1000 Guineas.

But just as she had done four weeks ago, Shes Perfect found herself in front from an early stage in the hands of Kieran Shoemark and she had plenty of her rivals on the stretch rounding the home turn.

For a few strides the daughter of Sioux Nation looked like a sitting duck in the straight, but to her credit she kept responding to Shoemark’s urging and while Zarigana came at her fast and late, Shes Perfect passed the post a nose in front.

However, scenes of wild celebration in the winner’s enclosure from Shes Perfect’s owners, the Basher Watts Racing syndicate, proved short lived as Zarigana’s rider Mickael Barzalona posted an objection after the race and following an inquiry, the result was amended.

More to follow...