Relief for Fahey as Perfect Power Lands Prix Morny

Richard Fahey has enjoyed some huge days at Deauville thanks to the group 1 exploits of Garswood  and Ribchester . Now Perfect Power  can be added to that illustrious list after passing every one of his 13 rivals under a finesse ride from Christophe Soumillon to land the Darley Prix Morny—Finale des Darley Series (G1).

In doing so he erased the memory of a luckless fifth-placed run in the Unibet Richmond Stakes (G2) at Goodwood and stamped himself as Europe's leading 2-year-old at six furlongs, a status he will seek to cement in the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (G1) at Newmarket next month. 

Owned by Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, the son of Ardad  prevailed in a tussle with the Andre Fabre-trained Trident  to claim victory by 1 1/4 lengths. In doing so he became the sixth British-trained winner of the Morny in the last 10 runnings. He also earned a fees-paid berth to the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T) at Del Mar.

"He's a laid-back character, but I always thought he was pretty smart," Fahey said. "I imagine he'd be a nice horse to ride at the races because you wouldn't feel that he was ever going to get flustered. I was panicking there—maybe Christophe wasn't but he's a better jockey than I ever was or ever will be—but it was just great to see him coming through."

"He was very buzzy (when he came to us), but after about two and a half weeks he came back to earth. That's what the breeze-up lads have to do," said Fahey. "He soon learned the way we wanted to do it and he's been very simple since."

Both Paddy Power and Betfair both cut Perfect Power to 4-1 (from 8-1) for the Middle Park, and Fahey had no hesitation in nominating Newmarket as the next target. 

Asked if the Middle Park was now the plan, Fahey said, "Definitely. Myself, Sheikh Rashid, and Richard Brown, who bought him, had a discussion about four or five weeks ago and it was always Richmond, Middle Park, and here. I can't see any reason to change it." 

Soumillon was impressed with Perfect Power, describing him as the best 2-year-old he'd ridden in a long time.

"I'm delighted because everyone was confident that he was the best horse in the race at Goodwood where he got shut-in," Soumillon said. "I was further back than ideal 600 meters (three furlongs) out and I had a choice to make. When I saw Ryan Moore outside me I decided to trust my instincts and go inside among horses.

"Once he started picking off horses that were back-pedaling he really hit his stride and he answered my every call. It's a long time since I've ridden a 2-year-old like him."

Trident came to the Prix Morny on just his third start and off a third-place effort in the Darley Prix de Cabourg (G3), but he now looks set to play a big part in Coolmore's autumn plans. 

"I'm very pleased with him and he progressed as I expected from the Cabourg," Fabre said. "The Lagardere (G1) is a good option and then we'll see. If he trains well he could go to England for the Dewhurst (G1)."

British-trained group winners Asymmetric  and Armor , who had been sent off the 2-1 favorites, had to settle for third and fourth respectively.

Reflecting on Armor's effort, Richard Hannon said a drop back to five furlongs could be in the cards.

"Armor made a big move in the race and I thought he was coming to win," said Hannon. "He's run a very good race, but he was a little keen early and he's coming from five to six.

"He's used to a faster tempo, but I'm very pleased with him and that was as good a Morny as I can remember. We will probably go to the Flying Childers (G2) with Armor and Gubbass  (who finished a short head further back in fifth) will probably run in the Middle Park," Hannon said.