G1 Prix Rothschild second and third for Crown Walk and Rosa Imperial

Crown Walk and Rosa Imperial ran well to finish second and third respectively in the G1 Prix Rothschild over the straight mile at Deauville, France, on Sunday, 29 July. 

Improving three-year-old Dubawi filly Crown Walk (Henri-Alex Pantall/William Buick) set out to make all the running.

She broke smartly from the stalls and raced near to the stands’ rail, setting a good pace ahead of the eventual winner With You, who went to the front over a furlong out and won by three lengths in 1m 36.52s on ground described as good to soft.

Crown Walk rallied in the final furlong and kept on to get the better of five-year-old Pivotal mare Rosa Imperial (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona) by a head for second place.

Rosa Imperial was also smartly away from the stalls amount the 10 runners and was settled in fourth towards the outside.

She started to make good progress with two furlongs remaining and came to deliver her challenge before flattening out in the closing stages.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin reported: “Both the Godolphin runners have performed very well – there are no excuses.

“This was Crown Walk’s best run and confirms that she is best over a mile.

“She is a very progressive filly and we hope she can go on and win a G1.

“Rosa Imperial possibly lacked a bit of stamina towards the end and we will discuss with Andre what trip to run her over next time.”