Henri Matisse lived up to his important name and notable breeding with a victory in the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains, a sixth win in the race for trainer Aidan O’Brien.
The artistically-named colt enjoyed a successful juvenile season, winning four times including a narrow success in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, proving himself at the highest level. He returned with a victory in the seven-furlong Group 3 Red Rocks Stakes at Leopardstown and came into the Poule d'Essai des Poulains as the pick of O'Brien 's four runners.
Henri Matisse faced stiff opposition from a strong UK and Irish representation, including the Group 3 Greenham Stakes winner Jonquil, who had been diverted to the Poule d'Essai des Poulains instead of a possible run against fellow Juddmonte-owned Field Of Gold. It was the domestic-trained Misunderstood who set fast early fractions alongside Serengeti, but the race looked to be in Jonquil's hands with 400m to run, as the Juddmonte colt kicked clear under Oisin Murphy. Henri Matisse, under jockey Ryan Moore, waited patiently for his opportunity and came with a run on the far rail, stealing the victory by a head. Camille Pissarro was switched wide and stayed on well for third, one-and-a-quarter lengths behind his winning stablemate.
In an interview with Sky Sports Racing, Moore said: "They went a good gallop and it sorted the race out. He travelled very well, very comfortable, he picked up well and I always felt like he was going to win.
"He's a horse with an awful lot of ability, he was good in America last year, he was good on his comeback and I think he's getting better.
"There's a chance he'll get further, but he's pacey and he's got a lot of gears."
O'Brien said: "We were delighted. He's a horse that doesn't like to be in front too long and obviously it was a nice, even pace and we were hoping it was going to be like that because he was going to be ridden back (in the field).
"When the pace is strong and even, usually if you have the best horse you have a chance. There was going to be no traffic for everybody, but when you're riding back you're never sure you're going to get there. I'm never confident, I'm always hopeful, but Ryan gave him a brilliant ride.
"I think he could be a miler and we think that he's probably going to be a St James's Palace horse, but obviously the lads (owners) will decide that.
"Christophe (Soumillon) thought his horse (Camille Pissarro) could be a French Derby horse, so the lads will probably split them up and see what happens, but there is every chance Henri Matisse could go to Ascot for the St James's Palace."
Henri Matisse boasts an enviable pedigree, one of six runners in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains by Wootton Bassett. His dam Immortal Verse (Privotal) was a two-time Group 1 winner, successful over 1600m in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois and the Group 1 Coronation Stakes.
