The last French Group I races of their flat season were run on Sunday and Aidan O’Brien produced the winners of both the Group I Criterium International (1600m) and Group I Criterium de Saint Cloud (1800m).
Wootton Bassett colt Puerto Rico was a last start Group I winner of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and kept up the good work for Christophe Soumillon to win the Criterium International by a length and three-quarters as favourite.
“He's an unusual horse, he has a lot of speed and stays as well so we wanted to see how comfy he'd be over a mile today. He's a very classy horse. I'd say he's probably a Guineas horse first and then the Derby,” said Aidan O'Brien.
Now a two time G1 winner, Puerto Rico has had a busy juvenile season with three wins and three seconds from eight starts.
A homebred for the Coolmore partners, Puerto Rico is the first winner for Group II placed Galileo mare April Showers, a full sister to Champion 2YO and 3YO Filly Misty for Me, the dam of Group I winners Roly Poly and US Navy Flag.
Camelot colt Pierro Bonnard was also favourite coming off a Group III win at Newmarket and duly cruised home to win the Criterium Saint Cloud by two lengths for Christophe Soumillion.
With three wins from four starts he appeals as a Derby prospect for next year and may follow in the footsteps of another Camelot colt Los Angeles, who won this race in 2023 for Coolmore before taking out the Irish Derby in 2024.
“Obviously Pierre Bonnard is a Derby horse. We'll start him in a Derby trial and all he should do is get better. He's a beautiful horse with a long stride and a beautiful mind, and he stays very well, so he's very exciting for next year,” said Aidan O'Brien
Pierre Bonnard was purchased for €280,000 from Camas Park Stud at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale by MV Magnier and was a successful pinhook having been sold at the Goffs Foal Sale the year before by Greenville House Stud for €80,000.
Bred by Rathasker Stud, he is a half-brother to Group II placed Crepe Suzette from Group I winning New Approach mare Sultanina, a half-sister to the dam of triple Group I winning mare Anisette (GB), who was bought by Yulong and is now in Australia.
Pierre Bonard is the 13th Group I winner for Camelot.
