Godolphin hit 300 Group 1 wins after French Guineas double at Longchamp

Dubai-based racing operation enjoyed wins with Persian King and Castle Lady

Mickael Barzalona and Castle Lady win the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches by a nose. WAM

A French Guineas double on Sunday secured Godolphin their latest milestone of reaching 300 Group 1 winners around the world.

Persian King was first in the winner’s enclosure in the Colts Classic, before Castle Lady followed suit 35 minutes later in the Fillies Classic as Godolphin reached the milestone with two different trainers and two different jockeys at the Longchamp racecourse.

Persian King, trained by Andre Fabre and ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot, quickened towards the finish to win from Shaman by a length in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains – the French 2,000 Guineas.

A head away in third was San Donato in the silks of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum in the 11-runner field.

“The [heavy] ground didn't help, as the horse has a beautiful action, but he showed courage and consistency,” Fabre said of Persian King, who notched up his sixth win in a row in seven career starts.

“He's a game horse as you can see. He's in all the big races, but the Prix du Jockey Club is very tempting and he looks like he'd stay another quarter of a mile.”

Mickael Barzalona rode a similar race atop the Henri-Alex Pantall-trained Castle Lady to claim the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches – the French 1000 Guineas.

The Shamardal filly raced prominently and pushed along with an effort in the final 200m to prevail by a nose from Commes under Cristian Demuro and stretch her record to three wins in three starts.