Elusive Kate has given jockey William Buick and trainer John Gosden yet another Group One win in a golden summer with victory in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville.
Narrowly beaten on her belated reappearance in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket, Elusive Kate already had positive experiences of the Normandy course where she landed two events last year.
Buick was able to dictate a steady pace and Elusive Kate was never really challenged until the final furlong (200m) when Andre Fabre’s Golden Lilac was released for her run.
The Buick and Gosden combination have already combined for other Group One victories this year with Great Heavens (Irish Oaks), Izzi Top (Pretty Polly Stakes), Fallen For You (Coronation Stakes) and Nathaniel (Eclipse).
Golden Lilac, considered by Fabre as the best filly he has handled, was a bitter disappointment in the Falmouth and looked more like her old self in finishing a length and a quarter second.
Mashoora was third ahead of Sagawara with Immortal Verse, last season’s Coronation and Jacques le Marois winner, making very little impression in last on her comeback.
The mile event for fillies, formerly known as the Prix d’Astarte, took place without the presence of the brilliant Goldikova, who was retired last year having completed four consecutive victories.
