No Love match at Epsom for Peaceful as O'Brien sends star filly to France
Impressive Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Peaceful is set to head to Chantilly on Sunday to contest the Prix de Diane rather than join Love in the Investec Oaks at Epsom a day earlier.
The prize-money for this year's Oaks is less than half of what is on offer in France with the Prix de Diane winner receiving €342,840 on Sunday, more than the entire prize fund on offer in the Oaks.
The Oaks prize-money has been cut to £250,000 this year, down from £500,000 in 2019, while the Prix de Diane is worth €600,000 on Sunday. That prize pool was €1 million last year.
The Covid-19 pandemic that halted racing in Britain for more than two months has resulted in prize-money cuts across the board.
O'Brien told the Racing Post: "Peaceful will probably head to France, rather than go to Epsom. The prize-money is good over there so at this stage that is the direction she'll go. She's been in good form since the Curragh.
"Love will go to Epsom, along with Ennistymon, who James Doyle will probably ride again, and Passion. Love is very well and everything has gone well since Newmarket. The plan was always to go to the Guineas and then go to Epsom. We weren't sure about the mile and whether it might be a bit sharp, but Ryan gave her a beautiful, uncomplicated ride and kept it simple. He allowed her to show her best attributes.
"Ennistymon ran well at Ascot and came out of the race well, while Passion is a round type of filly who has come forward since Ascot. She's straightforward and uncomplicated. Ascot was messy in the middle of the race for her."
The Prix du Jockey Club prize-money has been cut by 40 per cent in line with all the French Group 1s but remains worth €900,000 compared to the Derby at Epsom, which has seen its prize-money cut to £500,000 from £1.5 million.
O'Brien's team for the Prix du Jockey Club is set to be spearheaded by Irish 2,000 Guineas fourth Armory.
Prix de Diane
Coral: 11-4 Alpine Star, 3 Raabihah, 4 Tawkeel, 5 Peaceful, 7 Fancy Blue, 8 Speak Of The Devil, 12 Ebaiyra, 16 Solsticia, 20 Magic Attitude, 25 Mageva, Vadsena, 33 Vaucelles, 100 Inge’s Madel
Prix du Jockey Club
Coral: 9-4 Victor Ludorum, 5 Ocean Atlantique, 6 Mishriff, Pao Alto, 10 Armory, Port Guillaume, 16 Ecrivain, 20 Gold Trip, Hurricane Dream, 25 Fort Myers, Order Of Australia, The Summit, 33 Fantastic Spirit, Mythical, San Fabrizio, 40 Celtic Art, Chachnak, Dawn Intello, 66 Pisanello, 200 Superhon.
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