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Statistic Of The Week of French Racing News - 6th May 2021.

The start of the century was a golden era for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (1600m). The Classic was producing top-class winners, with fillies like Divine Proportions (2005) and Zarkava (2008) competing on a world stage. But what has happened since? Does the race still hold the prestige it used to? 

Although the new decade saw Special Duty (2010) complete the UK equivalent 1000 Guineas (1600m)/Poule d'Essai des Pouliches double and Golden Lilac (2011) triumph in both fillies' Classics (Poule d'Essai des Pouliches/Prix de Diane), the impact of winners on future feature races has begun to wane in recent years. Of the past four renewals, only one filly (Castle Lady) has subsequently placed at Group One level and that effort came at Keeneland (USA). 

It is interesting to note that despite three fillies since 2010 completing the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches/Prix de Diane double (Golden Lilac, Avenir Certain, La Cressionniere), only one has been able to win in open G1 company (Ervedya – G1 Prix du Moulin (1600m)). 

So what does the future hold for the 2021 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner? Open Group One success? Unlikely. A victory in the Prix de Diane? Possibly. Or will the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches triumph be the pinnacle of her career? Probably.