Watch Me© Photo Healy Racing
Watch Me dug deep to claim her second victory at Group One level in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville.
The Olympic Glory filly was a surprise winner of the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer, before going on to finish fourth in the Prix Jacques le Marois and third in the Prix de l’Opera.
Francis-Henri Graffard’s charge made an impressive start to her four-year-old campaign in a Listed event at Deauville three weeks ago and was the 4-5 favourite to follow up in the hands of Pierre-Charles Boudot.
Charlie Appleby’s British raider Summer Romance cut out much of the running, closely pursued by Know It All, who was bidding to provide Johnny Murtagh with his first Group One success as a trainer.
As Summer Romance’s challenge petered out in the final furlong, Watch Me found a gap against the rail and picked up well for pressure.
Know It All under Oisin Murphy and Godolphin’s Half Light both made a race of it, but Watch Me dug deep to secure top honours, with Half Light pipping Know It All to second.
Graffard said: “We knew she was in top form and thought she had a great chance. It’s great she has confirmed what we thought and I’m delighted for the filly to win another Group One — she deserved it.
“The ground is quite quick today and she quickened well. I was bit worried in the final furlong she might finish third, but she dug really deep at the end.”
Considering future plans, the trainer added: “We’ll see how she comes out of the race because the ground was quick today and she had a race.
“She’s entered in the Jacques le Marois and we can also think about the Prix Jean Romanet over 10 furlongs. Her main goal will be the Prix de l’Opera at ParisLongchamp on the first weekend in October, but I want to enjoy today first.”
