By Michaela Moricova
John and Thady Gosden made a bold move with the four-year-old filly. After she flopped in the Sussex Stakes in Goodwood, they sent her to France, where INSPIRAL showed up in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois only thirteen days after her last outing. She did not display any signs of fatigue as Inspiral became the fourth horse in the history of the race to win it for the second time. Moreover, Frankie Dettori recorded his eighth victory in the Prix Jacques Le Marois.
Only Thirteen Days Off
Inspiral actually ran her worst race in her career when finishing last in the Sussex Stakes. She was crowned a champion two-year-old filly in 2021, being unbeaten in four starts, upon which he scored the G1 Coronation Stakes in 2022. She lost her perfect record in the Falmouth Stakes to Prosperous Voyage; however, she added her third G1 victory thanks to fighting off Light Infatry in the last year’s Prix Jacques Le Marois. Subsequently, Inspiral failed to shine in October, but she returned to the tracks with a fine second place in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. And then came the fifth place in the Sussex Stakes, but aboard with Frankie Dettori, she was able to bounce back on Sunday.
Because of that lackluster run and the short break, Inspiral was sent to Deauville at 78/10. Still, she looked marvelous before the race and during as she hesitated at the start but galloped peacefully at the back of the field. Once Frankie Dettori switched Inspiral to the far side, the daughter of Frankel willingly passed one rival after another until she reached the leading favorite, Big Rock (Lemaitre). Although the three-year-old giant colt fought bravely, he had no chance with Inspiral. She left him behind almost effortlessly and recorded her fourth G1 victory and the second one in the Prix Jacques Le Marois.
Frankie the Phantom of Deauville
Inspiral crossed the wire in 1m 36.62s, with Big Rock finishing second by one and ¼ of a length. The colt delivered a great run and seems like a G1 winner in the making, given his last two performances both resulted in second places among the elite. Indeed, he finished second also in the Prix du Jockey Club behind Ace Impact, the Arc favorite. Third Light Infantry (Spencer) placed again at the G1 level, confirming his reliability. Although he was second there in 2021, he still showcased his talent when leaving behind fourth Onesto (Demuro) and fifth Triple Time (Callan).
Frankie Dettori scored his last outing in Deauville on Sunday, and as usual, he didn’t try to hide his emotions.
“The Jacques Le Marois is steeped in history, with great horses, and I’ve won it the last four years straight with John [Gosden],“ he said for Racing Post. He then added a few words about Inspiral: „She has her moments. We took Paddington on – somebody had to do it – on heavy ground, and it didn’t work out. But I was easy on the filly because this was always the plan. She needs a good pace and not soft ground. She got both here, and when she’s good, she’s very good.“
Besides Inspiral, Frankie Dettori won the Prix Jacques Le Marois twice with Palace Pier (2020, 2021). When looking even further it the past, he also triumphed aboard Dubai Millenium, Muhtathir, Librettist, and Al Wukair. The race’s history is rich with great horses and jockeys, and surely, Frankie’s been a huge part of it.
