Shes Perfect Team Rejects $2.5M Offer From Japan

Basher Watts and his syndicate have turned down a $2.5 million offer for Shes Perfect (IRE) ahead of her bid for classic redemption in the June 15 Prix de Diane (French Oaks, G1). The filly, who was demoted for interference after passing the post first in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas, G1) last month heads to Chantilly this weekend. She will race in the same colors, but Watts revealed Wednesday: "We had an offer of $2.5 million from Japan. It was nowhere near enough compared to what I had in my mind, but it's a syndicate and I put it to all the owners. "There are 38 of us and 37 said no straight away. We had a vote and followed the procedure and the protocols. "The way I look at it is you have to trade money for your dream and that money just wasn't enough." Shes Perfect, who is trained by Charlie Fellowes, was bought privately for €50,000 at the Arqana Breeze Up Sale in May of last year. She won the first of her two starts as a 2-year-old and finished second in a group 3 race at Longchamp on her reappearance, beaten a neck by Zarigana (GB)—who she edged out by a nose in the Pouliches only to be judged to have caused interference. Shes Perfect was demoted by the stewards, a decision which was upheld on appeal. Watts was keen to keep hold of her and said: "I could never imagine her running in someone else's silks. She's been our journey and we've been part of hers. "You get involved in racing with the dream of being at Longchamp in a classic. You hope you might have a group 1 horse. "Some things in life mean more than money. I hope she repays our loyalty on Sunday!" Shes Perfect is 5-2 favorite with Paddy Power for the Diane, in which she will face 11 rivals on her first try at distance beyond a mile. "She was first past the post in the French Guineas and regardless of what happens now she's going to be worth a lot for breeding anyway," Watts said. "For me it was a no-brainer, but obviously I had to ask all the other syndicate owners and all apart from one were in complete agreement."