Frankie Dettori has come in for the plum ride on Natagora in the Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly on Sunday.
Dettori, successful in the race on Polytain (1992), Shamardal (2005) and Lawman 12 months ago, has been snapped up by connections of the 1000 Guineas winner as Godolphin are without a runner having taken out Ibn Khaldun.
The ride on Natagora was up for grabs as her regular partner Christophe Lemaire will be aboard High Rock for Jean-Claude Rouget.
Johnny Murtagh, who had also been linked with Pascal Bary's
filly, will ride the Aidan O'Brien-trained Achill Island for his main retainer.
Although Godolphin are not represented in the maximum 20-strong field, their founder Sheikh Mohammed will have his colours carried by his recent purchase, the Andre Fabre-trained Democrate, who will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy.
Fabre also saddles Thewayyouare and Prospect Wells while a second Irish-trained runner is Dermot Weld's Famous Name, owned by Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms.
Connections of Natagora are delighted with their late jockey booking. "After work this morning, about eight o'clock English time, Godolphin took their horse out. We are pleased to get him, of course. He won the race last year," said owner Stefan Friborg's racing manager Patrick Barbe.
No filly has won the race since La Moriniere in 1900, but very few have taken part, the last being Moonlight Dance in 1994 while Bella Paola finished second 50 years ago.
However, these statistics have failed to put off Natagora's connections.
"Our filly is 100%. No filly has won the race for over 100 years so it's hard to be confident but we are optimistic," Barbe went on.
"We are very happy with the draw (in stall 11), no problem."
Ibn Khaldun is facing an uncertain period on the sidelines after he was found to be lame on Friday morning.
The Racing Post Trophy winner had his attentions switched to Chantilly from Epsom only recently but a setback has ruled him out.
"He's out of the French Derby, he was lame this morning so he can't run," said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford.
"We don't know how long he is going to be out of action yet, we are currently investigating the problem.
"It's very disappointing, we had only recently finalised all the running plans."
原來係 Dettori:yyy:
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