Ascot Could be Next for Unbeaten Castle Lady

If there has long been a buzz around French Two Thousand Guineas (G1) hero Persian King, Godolphin's second classic winner of the afternoon, Castle Lady, has been a glorious surprise package. 

Not many in the ParisLongchamp stands could have been confident that Castle Lady and Mickael Barzalona had held on in a desperate drive to the line with Commes—a photo finish took several minutes to deliver its verdict—but she was eventually awarded the victory by a nose.

Castle Lady had not even made her debut when entries for the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas, G1) closed in February, having been transferred from Charlie Appleby to the tranquil rural surroundings enjoyed by trainer Alex Pantall in the Loire Valley. 

Pantall, who is prone to wearing his heart on his sleeve when it comes to the big days, is a popular figure in the French training community, and it is a mark of that affection that Jean-Claude Rouget—who came up just short of a fourth win in this race in the last six years—was among the first to congratulate his colleague. 

Pantall knows what it takes to train a Prix de Diane (G1) winner, having produced West Wind under Frankie Dettori to score in Sheikh Mohammed's maroon and white silks back in 2007.

But it will be the biggest races over a mile that he will now target with Castle Lady, who is unbeaten in three starts. 

"She won't stay the Diane trip, and we'll certainly look at the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1), with maybe the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Ascot in between," said Pantall.

"She doesn't have a lot of experience, and it's quite something for her to find herself in front and then fight all the way to the death. She still has more physical progress to make, and I think there's more to come."

Rouget believed the Diane will be the ideal race for Commes, who is a daughter of his 2009 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, G1) winner Le Havre. 

"The winner had a little more pace than us, but all my Le Havre progeny have been better over 2,000 meters (a mile and a quarter)—she has tried her heart out," said Rouget. 

Kevin Ryan has plenty to look forward to with East, who traveled like a group 1 horse for most of the race and ultimately may have paid for being forced to race wider than any of her nine rivals when finishing third. 

"She has a great cruising speed and a lovely turn of foot," said Ryan. "The Irish Guineas might come a bit quick, but never say never. She has a great attitude. I'll have to discuss it with the owners."

Imperial Charm finished fourth for Andrea Atzeni and Simon Crisford, a performance that can be marked up considering she lost a shoe. 

Dettori Stays Loyal for Italian Job

Frankie Dettori kept his promise to fellow countryman Andrea Marcialis and produced a winning ride aboard Sestilio Jet in the group 3 Prix de Saint-Georges, despite the withdrawal Friday of Advertise from the French Two Thousand Guineas.  

Dettori explained: "Andrea and I grew up together as kids, and his father (Antonio) and my father rode together. He's moved here now and has 50 horses. It's always an emotional feeling when you ride for your friends."

Marcialis secured his first group race success since relocating to Chantilly in 2016.