Francis-Henri Graffard had his string in remarkable fettle on Sunday at Longchamp with a trio of coveted Group victories.
Graffard landed his first Prix du Moulin last season, and added another with Erdenali. The Caravaggio gelding was a disappointing favourite at Chantilly prior to the weekend, beaten into third by Silius. With a field featuring this year’s Queen Anne winner, Irish 2000 Guineas winner, and bet365 Mile winner, he would have to produce something special to return to form. Under a well timed Mickael Barzalona ride, Erdenali comfortably dispatched the European opposition.
Immediately after, Varandir landed the Qatar Prix Niel for the same connections. Benvenuto Cellini was the long odds on favourite, but despite the aid of a pace-maker, failed to fire. Varandir took his record to 11141, with the sole defeat a close up fourth in the Grand Prix De Paris.
Speaking on Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast, Graffard said: “Obviously, Varandir won a trial very nicely. He’s an improving type; he’s a three-year-old colt who have an advantage with the weight in the Arc. So he can be lined up, he has the right to take his chance.”
‘We have a lot of confidence in the horse’ – Daryz sets a strong Arc defence
Daryz was Graffard’s third winner on the day, returning from an 81 day break to land the Prix Foy. He took his beloved Longchamp record to 111121111, following a below par effort in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Daryz pulled clear of Bay City Roller in second, who proved his Coronation Cup win was no fluke.
On the performance, Graffard said: “Everything went perfectly and the behaviour of the horse was wonderful. We have a lot of confidence in the horse. As I’ve said before I was very upset with his run in Ascot. I’m upset people didn’t see the right Daryz, it’s always a shame. It was very frustrating, but that’s training racehorses.
“I won’t be quiet on him until the Arc now. He will stay in full work and really sharpen him up for the big day.”
Although Sunly couldn’t land the Prix Vermeille, she was an excellent third with little going right. She broke awkwardly and was hampered two furlongs out, before staying strongly under Colin Keane. The daughter of Night of Thunder is still relatively lightly raced for her age, and has threatened to land a Group 1.
She could be another addition to Graffard’s Arc team, as he said: “I have to speak with the Juddmonte team but Sunly is a very nice filly. I think she has the quality to take her chance in the Arc. Then she flew home too late. To be fair, I was very confident with this filly and I think everything went against her but she’s a very top-class filly.”