While it is already difficult for a trainer and a jockey to win Poule d'Essai des Poulains (S2-2) race in two consecutive years, it is even rarer for stallions. Since Danehill (2002–2003), no sire has managed to achieve this feat. That is the challenge facing Puerto Rico, the bookmakers’ favourite, a son of Wootton Bassett, just like Henri Matisse, last year’s winner. Aidan O’Brien’s colt will also have the distinction of making his seasonal debut directly on Sunday, as will another highly regarded contender, Rayif. Once again, the challenge is far from straightforward.

British bookmakers have identified their two leading favourites for the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Gr. I), which will be run next Sunday over 1,600 metres on the main track at ParisLongchamp: Ireland’s Puerto Rico and France’s Rayif. The two colts have previously met in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr. I), which was won by the former, and both will be making their seasonal reappearances in this Classic race.

This was a forced choice for Francis Graffard’s runner, who fell ill at the time of his intended comeback in the Prix de Fontainebleau, and a less constrained one for Aidan O’Brien’s colt, whose programme already pointed towards a Group 1 return in the spring. That could have been the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday, but it will ultimately be Longchamp at the end of the week.

The Ballydoyle trainer knows how to manage this situation well, having previously run several horses returning from a break in the Poule d’Essai—a race he notably won with St Mark’s Basilica in 2021, who had not raced for seven months following his victory in the Dewhurst Stakes (Gr. I). The son of Siyouni set the precedent for Modern Games (trained by Charlie Appleby), who repeated the feat in 2022 without any preparatory run.

With only two such cases in the 21st century,roughly an 8% success rate, winning the Poule d’Essai on seasonal debut remains a remarkable achievement. However, while unlikely, it is not impossible.

Photo: HKJC