Impressive Persian King rules for Fabre in French 2,000 Guineas

On an afternoon when Godolphin hit the magic mark of 300 worldwide Group 1 wins, it might just be number 299, the victory of Persian King – shared with the Wildenstein family – which is looked back on with relish in years to come.

A near perfect day for Sheikh Mohammed's team was completed in style when Castle Lady edged the fillies' Classic to bring up the milestone 35 minutes later.

Andre Fabre was able to secure a seventh Poulains as Persian King defied cloying Longchamp ground to pull clear of Shaman under Pierre-Charles Boudot, with the Roger Varian-trained San Donato staying on down the outside for third.

Persian King went into the winter as one of the most exciting horses in Europe on the back of his defeat of Magna Grecia at Newmarket, a performance which led Godolphin to buy a half share in the striking son of Kingman.

A potential rematch with Magna Grecia in the St James' Palace Stakes remains a possibility according to Fabre, although a step up in trip for the Qipco Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly appears the clear preference among Persian King's myriad connections.

Fabre said: "He would prefer good ground. The Jockey Club was the long term plan so we'll see. The other option is to wait for Ascot but we'll decide with Sheikh Mohammed and Diane Wildenstein. The Jockey Club seems the obvious target."

Diane Wildenstein said she "couldn't be more thrilled" with the outcome, while racing manager Anthony Stroud – also a long term ally of Sheikh Mohammed – offered the view that Persian King's success on such stamina-sapping ground was a good omen for any attempt over the extended mile and a quarter at Chantilly

Andre Fabre's Poulains winners

1984 Siberian Express
1987 Soviet Star
2001 Vahorimix
2003 Clodovil
2010 Lope De Vega
2015 Make Believe
2019 Persian King

"The ground wasn't ideal but the further he went the better he looked and the Jockey Club looks an ideal race," said Stroud.

"For me that's always looked the right race for him and more importantly, so has Andre.

Persian King has clearly inherited plenty of class from Kingman but here he also showed the same grit his sire was obliged to find when confronted with very deep ground at Deauville.

Stroud said: "John Gosden [Kingman's trainer] rang me on Saturday and told me not to worry about the ground because it was heavy the day that Kingman won the Marois at Deauville."

Kingman splashing through the Deauville ground on his way to winning the 2014 Prix Jacques le MaroisCredit: Patrick McCann

Shaman already has a Group 3 win over a mile and a furlong and looked a potential Chantilly candidate, though trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias admitted to being "tempted" by the St James's Palace.

That race also features among the possible desitinations for San Donato, who ran a fine race on his seasonal debut.

"He's very talented and we thought he'd run a big race, though we were unsure about the trip," said Roger Varian. "He settled well and he quickened well and you have to be pleased with that.

"He had a setback in March and missed his prep race whereas the first two had a run. There's an exciting programme for him because there are two races for him at Ascot – the Jersey or the St James's Palace – while the Prix Jean Prat is over seven furlongs now as this fellow isn't short of pace, though he certainly stayed the mile."

Ryan Moore was granted permission to take over from William Buick on Van Beethoven, who finished sixth, one place behind Duke Of Hazzard.

Full result

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