Latest horse racing news from UK, Ireland, and around the world.

Cualificar denies Bay City Roller in Niel thriller

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Cualificar snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a thrilling finishing flourish in the Qatar Prix Niel to deny George Scot’s Bay City Roller.

Andre Fabre’s French Derby runner-up slightly disappointed last time when only third in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano and looked like having to settle for a minor role once again at ParisLongchamp as William Buick saw his passage halted by significant travel problems as the race began to unfold.

However, Buick held his nerve and once finding a gap and meeting clean air, flew home to deny Bay City Roller in the shadow of the winning post.

Paddy Power make the winner a 14-1 shot from 66s for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with the master trainer confirming the October 5 showpiece as the target.

Fabre told Sky Sports Racing: “It’s an impressive win for sure, but this is just a prep race for the Arc and it was what I was hoping and expecting with the extra two furlongs and softer ground.

“I took this route with Trempolino a long time ago and he became quite heavy this summer so I thought he would need the extra race (at Deauville last month).”

On his Arc hand, which includes Prix Foy runner-up Sosie, Fabre added: “They are two serious horses.”

Buick was impressed with his mount and concurs with Fabre that he has improved for moving up in distance.

He added: “I was in that position from pretty much the get-go and I knew all the way through the race I was going to have to try and find an out at some stage.

“In these races the horses are often closely matched and you don’t often get the gap. I didn’t get any room down the inside so had to come back to come out and he still finished the way he did to win the race.

“It always takes a bit of doing and he’s a horse who is improving. I was impressed with him when I rode him in the Prix du Jockey Club and I think he’s only getting better. It was his first time going a mile and a half and he was very happy going the distance so you would have to be happy with what he did.”

George Scott was delighted with Bay City Roller and said: “I am obviously very pleased with how he ran. We have always believed in him, and we were disappointed at York, but he had his excuses that day and he showed his true level again today.

“A horse like him has his whole future ahead of him. I am delighted for Sheikh Nasser (owner). He has a very good horse here with great potential. Bay City Roller has a big future, so this is enjoyable and very exciting.

“I think he will have another race, so we’ll discuss it with Sheikh Nasser and see what he thinks. But yes, he will have another run, so we will see. We desperately need soft ground! Everywhere we go, it dries up! I promise you, he will be a much better horse with some ease in the ground, so we will wait.

“Today was a test over a mile and a half, and he showed he stays it without any problem. He was bred for it, he had won a Group Two over 1,400 metres (seven furlongs) at two, so he has speed and now he stays. He has a lot of quality, and I’m happy to train him.”

Aventure claims first Group One as Whirl disappoints

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Aventure went one better than 12 months ago to seal top honours for the first time in the Qatar Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp in which Whirl was a bitter disappointment.

Second to Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking in 2024, the Group One event proved an exceptional trial for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with the duo filling the same positions in the French capital a month later.

It was Aidan O’Brien’s Oaks runner-up and dual Group One-scorer Whirl who was expected to lay down her Arc claims, but having been kept wide initially by Christophe Soumillon before tacking over to lead the field into the home straight, she checked out tamely in the closing stages to finish last.

Whirl’s poor performance enabled Christophe Ferland’s four-year-old to take full advantage with Maxime Guyon always having the daughter of Sea The Stars in the perfect position close to the pace.

She quickened smartly when asked to win her race to come home comfortably clear of Francis-Henri Graffard’s French Oaks heroine Gezora in second and inspire dreams of going one better in Paris next month.

William Hill make Aventure their 4-1 joint-favourite for the Arc alongside O’Brien’s Minnie Hauk, while she heads the market with Paddy Power at the same price.

Ferland told Sky Sports Racing: “She won very well, we did not know about the Irish fillies but she did very well today. Maxime was very confident on her and when she came out in the straight she accelerated well so I’m very pleased.

“My mission was to win a Group One with her and that is done and now we have to go for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. She will be better in four weeks time I think and she’s coming along now.

“I don’t think she really enjoys herself before June or July and she’s better at this time of year. It was good ground today so if it’s good ground in the Arc that is fine and if it is heavy she will still go as fast as she did today, even better probably.

“She’s got a big heart, she’s calm with a good mind, she’s the perfect filly to train. We have four weeks to go and it’s going to be a long four weeks. The Arc would be a big bonus, but something hopefully achievable too.”

Graffard said of Gezora: “That was a very good performance from her on her return. She was beaten by a very good filly.

“Mickaël Barzalona said he couldn’t go past Aventure, but she finished strongly. The pace slowed down significantly at one stage, but Gezora is very straightforward and clearly stays the mile and a half.

“We’ll see with the owners, but she’ll be out again in four weeks, either in the Prix de l’Opéra or in the Arc. Personally, I would prefer the Arc. It will be quite an open race, and she’s the Prix de Diane winner… we have nothing to lose!”

More agony for Rosallion in Moulin as Sahlan prevails

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Rosallion’s wait for a first victory of the season continues, as Francis-Henri Graffard’s Sahlan produced a career best to win the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.

It has been a trying summer for Richard Hannon’s stable star who has had made the podium in the Lockinge, Queen Anne and Sussex Stakes before finishing a close-up fourth in the City of York last month.

Sent to ParisLongchamp, the scene of his Group One triumph as a juvenile, his luck was fancied to change and he finishing strongly in the hands of Sean Levey.

However, this time he had to give way to one of the home contingent, as Francis-Henri Graffard’s contender – who was down the field in the French 2000 Guineas earlier in the summer and was supplemented earlier in the week – stepped up markedly on his Group Three victory at Deauville last month to strike.

Sahlan held a narrow advantage over Rosallion on the line, with The Lion In Winter filling the third position for Aidan O’Brien. The winner could now head to the Breeders’ Cup.

Graffard, who is enjoying a dream season in his homeland, told Sky Sports Racing: “You have to thank the owners for respecting my opinion and trusting me to take on a big challenge.

“I said to Sheikh Joaan (of Al Shaqab Racing) I didn’t have many options for the horse, I think he’s in very good form, he can quicken, it’s a big gamble, but if we’re in the first five, we have nothing to lose.

“He believed in me and it’s paid off nicely. I always liked this horse, he’s been beaten but in the Poule d’Essai we had a lot of excuses and I couldn’t blame the horse. He was sick when he was beaten in the Listed race and then he won a Group Three comfortably.

“I had the support, and I’m very happy. I don’t think I will run him again on soft ground here. If he’s well, we might look to the Breeders’ Cup Mile but he’s a horse we will likely keep as a four-year-old. That’s the softest ground we would look to run him on.”

Hannon could not hide his frustration that his pride and joy had been touched off once more.

“It’s extremely disappointing and hard to take,” he said.

“Really, Rosallion is tough. He’s the best horse in the race. Nobody did anything wrong. He will end up winning one, everybody agrees on that. In fact, he hasn’t really been beaten, has he?”

Wayne Lordan rode The Lion In Winter and said: “He enjoyed getting a lead today and he enjoyed (being) on the turn. I thought he ran a very good race and I’m very pleased with him.”

Goliath defeats Dubai Honour in Germany

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Goliath returned to something like his best form in the Grosser Preis von Baden to provide part-owner John Stewart with the perfect wedding present.

Returned to positive tactics – as he was when claiming the La Coupe at ParisLongchamp earlier in the summer – Francis-Henri Graffard’s five-year-old was making a welcome return to the Group One winner’s enclosure having last won at the highest level in Ascot’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes last year.

With usual pilot Christophe Soumillon required in France, Clement Lecoeuvre got the chance to deputise aboard Goliath and his enterprising ride paid dividend when able to pinch the stands-side rail entering the home straight before galloping clear of William Haggas’ Dubai Honour.

Goliath’s victory represented a triumphant homecoming for the German-bred son of Adlerflug who was carrying the colours of his part-owner Philip Baron Von Ullmann – who retained a stake in the gelding when Resolute Racing’s John Stewart got involved last year.

Stewart said: “We are very pleased with the win and it’s great to see him back in top form. We are especially happy for our partner Philip Baron Von Ullman to get this win in Germany’s most prestigious race.

“We will talk with Francis and consider the Breeders’ Cup or Japan Cup as potential options next.

“Chelsey and I would have been there but we had our wedding yesterday in Kentucky. This is the best wedding gift!”

Dream result for Byzantine followers in Foy

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Byzantine Dream strengthened Japan’s hand for the the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with a convincing win in the hands of Oisin Murphy in the Qatar Prix Foy.

Japanese contenders are famously yet to conquer Europe’s richest middle-distance prize with Orfevre’s near miss in 2012 the closest the raiders from the Far East have come to getting their hands on the trophy at ParisLongchamp.

However, compatriot Alohi Alii has already stated his claims when blitzing the field in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano last month, while Japanese Derby winner Croix Du Nord is also on course for the French capital on October 5.

Now Byzantine Dream can also add his name to the mix after being shortened to 12-1 for the Arc by Paddy Power, with Coral going even shorter at 8-1 after his dress rehearsal in Paris.

Second in the Tenno Sho when last seen, the Tomoyasu Sakaguchi-trained four-year-old was successfully ridden by Murphy when winning the Red Sea Turf in Saudi Arabia in February, and his proven stamina came to the fore here to finish strongly and edge out Andre Fabre’s Sosie.

Murphy told Sky Sports Racing: “He broke well but the one beside him stumbled and I actually clipped a heel for a stride, but he relaxed immediately and the pace wasn’t super fast and I was able to get on the back of Maxime Guyon (on Sosie).

“He doesn’t do an awful lot in front and in Saudi Arabia he ran around, so I just thought I would hopefully get there hands and heels and if he wasn’t winning today it would set him up perfectly for the big race (Arc).”

He went on: “I wasn’t concerned about dropping back in distance as I think he is a weak stayer over extended distances and has a very good turn of foot. He beat a high-class field today but he does want fast ground.

“He was a lot heavier today and you would notice the crest in his neck is much thicker. He obviously hasn’t run since May and he just did two kind of nice bits of work without anything being difficult in the build-up to this.

“He’s probably quite a light-framed horse who doesn’t need graft and I would hope he could be an even better horse come Arc weekend provided he gets his preferred conditions.”

Sakaguchi said: “The horse was in very good condition. The jockey rode a perfect race. It’s a beautiful victory. He still has room for improvement. He will be at the peak of his condition for the Arc.

“Today was just a prep race, and he still has something in hand. The question will be the ground, but the main goal is to have the horse ready for the Arc, and then we’ll see how the ground turns out on the day.”

Sosie ram a fine trial for the Arc
Sosie ram a fine trial for the Arc (Steven Paston/PA)

Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager for Wertheimer and Frère, owners of Sosie, said: “That was a very good return! He hadn’t run since early July, and the idea was to prepare him for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

“We were beaten by the horse we knew the least about, but against the other runners, he clearly showed his quality. If all goes well, we’ll be at the start of the Arc in four weeks’ time. We are satisfied.”

Ed Walker was pleased enough with the run of Almaqam back in third.

“That’s a very good performance, I’m very pleased with Almaqam,” he said.

“All week, I was worried about where to run him. I think we made exactly the right choice in coming here. He definitely stays the trip. We learned a lot today. Almaqam wasn’t beaten by much. I think he will be better on softer ground.

“He’s had a light campaign this year, and today’s race opens up more options for him going forward. Disappointed to be beaten, but very pleased nonetheless, I believe he’s a great horse.

“This is probably the best year to run in the Arc. William (Buick) told me: ‘If you’re going to take your chance, do it this year!’ As an option, we had the Champion Stakes, which will be a red-hot race. But I think he really enjoys the mile-and-a-half. So why not try? If the boss (Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum) agrees to take the chance, then I think we should go for it.”

Mark Johnston remembers Doncaster delights with Double Trigger

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Doncaster’s St Leger meeting will always spark memories of Double Trigger, despite him just coming up short in the Classic.

The achievements of Mark Johnston’s exceptional stayer are still lauded to this day on Town Moor, with the triple Doncaster Cup hero immortalised in statue form overlooking the parade ring around which he would once swagger.

And 30 years on from capping a phenomenal year by winning his first of three staying prizes in South Yorkshire, Johnston remembers fondly one of the undoubted greats of his era.

Double Trigger was a star for Mark Johnston
Double Trigger was a star for Mark Johnston (John Giles/PA)

“In 1995 we felt there was nothing that could touch him over those trips in the UK so we went there full of confidence,” said Johnston of his first Doncaster Cup success, which came in a season he had already claimed the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and its Goodwood equivalent.

“The ironic thing was he wasn’t champion stayer that year which was down to the way it was calculated and Strategic Choice was actually given it.

“Nowadays he would have been comfortably champion stayer as he had won all the Cup races that year and all the British two-mile and above Group races that season. It was very much his heyday.”

It was always going to be a difficult task for Double Trigger to recreate the halcyon summer of 1995 in the subsequent years, but the popular North Yorkshire-trained gelding with the famous white blaze would always reserve his best for his beloved Goodwood and the faithful on Town Moor.

He would win both events three times in total, bowing out in style when following up a final Goodwood Cup triumph with a fitting farewell in front of a vociferous home crowd who urged their hero on to one last victory and a day Johnston will never forget.

The statue of Double Trigger at Doncaster
The statue of Double Trigger at Doncaster (Nigel French/PA)

Johnston said: “His very last run was in the Doncaster Cup and we had started to have the odd soundness niggle so we had decided beforehand that might be his last run. It was great to bow out on top.

“I remember they had two different paddock sheets ready, one in case he won and one in case something else won and it was sponsored by the train company (GNER) who went and named a train after him.

“It was great times and of course Doncaster built a statue of him which is obviously still there.

“He won the Goodwood Cup and the Doncaster Cup in his last two starts and that was pretty special.”

Double Trigger would appear five times at Doncaster in his career and it was a year before establishing himself as a member of the staying elite that he would attempt to end Johnston’s quest for a victory in the St Leger.

Trainer Mark Johnston hopes to see son Charlie win the St Leger
Trainer Mark Johnston hopes to see son Charlie win the St Leger (Mike Egerton/PA)

He would ultimately finish third to Moonax in his Classic tilt, with Johnston also going on to end his career without holding the world’s oldest Classic trophy aloft, and the family curse in the Leger has struck again with son Charlie being forced to rule out Lazy Griff this year.

“I suppose one of the things that is often forgotten about Double Trigger is he finished third in the St Leger and people often think of him as a two-mile horse and an older horse but he was top-class as a three-year-old as well,” explained Johnston.

“I never won the Leger and it is a race that I would loved to have won and it will always be a frustration to me that I never managed it.”

Steve Cauthen recalls Triple Crown glory on Oh So Sharp

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It may be 40 years since Oh So Sharp sauntered to St Leger victory at Doncaster, but Steve Cauthen still remembers clearly the year the horse he calls “the best filly I ever rode” entered the legend of racing history.

1985 would be the last time the Triple Crown was achieved in Britain and Cauthen would be centre stage aboard Sir Henry Cecil’s all-conquering daughter of Kris, who not only was the catalyst of the American’s desire to step into the Warren Place hotseat, but helped cement one of the great trainer-jockey relationships of their era.

Cauthen would win the St Leger three times alongside Cecil during their golden spell in the mid to late 1980s, but it was Oh So Sharp’s fabled victory on Town Moor that stands head and shoulders above the rest.

“She was the best filly I ever rode and I rode a load of good ones too,” said Cauthen.

“I won the Leger three times and they were all good horses. As a jockey you love winning Classics, they are the history-making races, especially when you rode a filly like Oh So Sharp – winning it on her was ultra-special, and winning the Triple Crown hasn’t been done for a long time by a colt or a filly.

“I rode Indian Skimmer, Cormorant Wood, Diminuendo, In The Grove – a whole bunch of them – and a couple of them had their flashes of brilliance, but Oh So Sharp was simply the best and should never have got beaten.

“She was why I wanted the job at Henry’s having seen her win the Fillies’ Mile and I thought she looked exceptional, but I didn’t know just how exceptional she would turn out.

“She had character and could be feisty when she wanted to be but she had all the right attributes and the desire to win and she knew she was good which the best ones do – she’d walk around with an air about her.”

Oh So Sharp had already displayed her dazzling turn of foot to win the 1000 Guineas and nimble athleticism to blitz the opposition in the Oaks, before injury to Cecil and Cauthen’s Derby hero Slip Anchor opened the door for a Doncaster date with racing destiny.

Narrowly touched off in both the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes and at York when taking on the colts, it was fears of a long season beginning to take its toll rather than any nagging stamina doubts that was causing trepidation for those in close quarters prior to her bid for immortality.

Committed for home early, Oh So Sharp showcased the desire for victory Cauthen always knew lay inside his star mount, securing glory by a quarter of a length but more importantly sealing her place in racing folklore.

Cauthen said: “I always thought she would be fine at the trip and there was never much doubt about her stamina and never any doubt at all about her talent. It was just whether she was over the top a little bit as it had been a long year and she had run in everything and not missed many dances.

“We were hoping we still had her just about where she needed to be and I think she might actually have been over the top but she was still good enough.

“Her class helped her and she actually won really easily. She was always one of those fillies who once she would hit the front she wouldn’t overdo herself and the only time she had really run through the line was the Oaks. The rest of the time she was happy to just dillydally along.

“But she did have a big, long stride and her will to win was second to none – she always had desire and loved a fight.”

Oh So Sharp’s St Leger triumph not only made her the first fillies’ Triple Crown winner since Meld some 30 years previous, but also saw Cauthen pocket four of the season’s five Classics during his debut year as stable jockey to Cecil.

Reflecting on the remarkable journey with Sheikh Mohammed’s filly four decades ago, Cauthen added: “She had so much talent and the ability to accelerate and I will never forget that last 50 yards going up the hill at the finish of the Guineas.

“She was never travelling but when she met that rising ground and dug in she started to go and I don’t think anyone in the stands thought she had won because it was quick the way she finally came to life.

“I thought I might have just got there and as it turned out it was a micro millimetre between first and second, it was so close.

“Then the way she beat Triptych in the Oaks was special. Triptych would win eight or nine Group Ones and she beat her that day like she was tied to a post and she was such a grand filly.”

Oh So Sharp’s exploits not only hallmark the Kentucky Kid’s time in Britain, but have stood the test of time, with Cauthen remaining the only jockey to win the Triple Crown on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Meld did it 30 years before Oh So Sharp and Nijinsky of course did it as well, but in 70 years they are the only horses to win a Triple Crown in Britain and those types of horses are few and far between so I’m glad she still holds that accolade,” said Cauthen.

“Henry loved her and I loved her and when she got us off to a great start you could only dream she would win a Triple Crown, but she did and it’s something that hasn’t been done since and wasn’t done for many years before that, so she was special and such a lovely filly to be around.

“I was blessed to ride two Triple Crown winners and I consider Affirmed the best colt I ever rode and Oh So Sharp the best filly because they were horses who could do it all.”

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Five Ways shades Sirenia Stakes success for Andrew Balding

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Andrew Balding’s Five Ways proved his promise with a tough success in the Unibet Sirenia Stakes at Kempton.

The Kameko colt has been shaping up well as the season has progressed and got off the mark by a decent margin last time out to earn a step up to Group Three level.

Under Jason Watson and at a price of 4-1, he proved the water was not too deep, prevailing by a nose over the six-furlong trip.

Balding said: “He has always been good in his homework, and we thought it was worth a go. He was bred by John Hobby, who has been a good friend of my parents for many years, and he has had horses at Kingsclere for a lot of years, so it is fantastic for him. He is by Kameko as well, so it is good for the whole team.

“We were disappointed with him the first time out (fourth), but we felt the ground was a bit loose that day and he got wheel spinning a bit, and he probably needed the run, but it was more like it at Salisbury last time out.

“He will stay further in time. We will see if we go again this year, but he is a lovely horse for the future. He has always shown a high level of ability.

“Today was the plan. The Mill Reef would have come too soon for him so we will see how we go.”

Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Drama did them proud again when regsitering back-to-back victories in the Unibet London Sprint Series Final.

Twelve months after taking the £80,000 contest under Tom Marquand, the gelding did so again under Oisin Murphy with a 3-1 success for trainer James Ferguson.

Harry Herbert, racing manager of Highclere, said: “He loves this track. He is just an extraordinary horse.

“It is horses for courses and it is Drama for Kempton Park as that is his deal. To win this race two years running is absolutely fantastic.

“Well done to James Ferguson, and all his team, and the birthday boy Oisin, and a wonderful group of Highclere owners who have had such fun with him.

“We had to go through the pain barrier of some turf races that don’t suit, but this race had a big red circle around it.

“I really take my hat off to James. To produce him to do what he did last year from much higher in the weights today was wonderful. It is a big pay day for the syndicate, so happy days.”

Sky Safari showed a commendable attitude to maintain her unbeaten record on the all-weather when winning the Unibet London Mile Series Final Handicap.

James Fanshawe’s 5-2 favourite was ridden by Murphy to a neck victory as one of four wins across the card for the rider as he celebrated his 30th birthday.

Tom Fanshawe, assistant to his father, said: “She is now four out of four on the all-weather and she showed a really good attitude out there today. It has been a really good family to our stable and her half-brother won earlier in the week.

“I think we all thought Ed’s (Dunlop) horse (Superposition) had slipped the field. She had to be brave to battle back in a strongly run race against battle hardened horses.

“She settled pretty well today as her family are quite forward going and Oisin felt she wasn’t over racing.

“If she continued to settle as well as she did today then she could get a mile and a quarter, but I imagine we will keep her at a mile for now.

“Oisin was very complimentary about her. He said there is a good deal of improvement left in her. Where her ceiling is I don’t know.”

Haydock not the track for Lazzat after beaten Sprint Cup effort

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Jerome Reynier felt the six-furlong course at Haydock could have proved too sharp for Lazzat after he was a beaten favourite in the Betfair Sprint Cup.

The four-year-old blazed a trail in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Ascot on his penultimate start, setting a new course record as he fended off the Japanese raider Satono Reve at the Royal meeting.

He subsequently met with defeat in the six-and-a-half-furlong Prix Maurice de Gheest and while punters still had plenty of confidence in his chance on Merseyside, sending him off the evens market leader, Lazzat fell short at the finish, coming home a two-and-a-half-length fifth behind Big Mojo.

Reynier and owners Wathnan Racing now face the choice of returning to Ascot on Qipco Champions Day for the Sprint, or moving back up to seven furlongs for the Prix de la Foret on Arc weekend, with the trainer sure a stiffer test will suit.

He said: “It’s a six-furlong proper sprint and he had horses all around him and it was maybe a bit too sharp for him, so maybe next month there will be a bit more cut in the ground over six furlongs in the Champions Sprint or in the Foret over seven furlongs.

“We have to chat about the next race with connections, but it was my fear that he likes to be on top of the game, in front and leading and today at the three-furlong marker he (jockey James Doyle) was already asking him to keep up and he stayed on well.

“He was happy with the way he fought and he wasn’t beaten far. That’s just a bit too sharp for him I think today.”

Following a second successive defeat, Reynier also raised the possibility his record-setting run at Ascot had left more of a mark than anticipated.

He added: “The six furlongs at Ascot is much stiffer and that is probably more his game. I think the Maurice de Gheest was under his best and once again it’s a little bit lower than I would have expected.

“When you beat course records, like at Ascot, it’s not an easy task and obviously some horses take a long while to recover, so we will have to see if he’s all good.”

Wathnan Racing were well represented in the race and last year’s runner up Kind Of Blue continued his recent renaissance by taking second place again, a nose ahead of Flora Of Bermuda for the same owner.

Having started the year by entirely fluffing the start in France before a disappointing Newcastle run, his trainer James Fanshawe has taken heart from his third place in the Phoenix Sprint last time and this run ahead of the defence of his British Champions Sprint title next month.

The trainer said: “Really pleased, delighted with him. After a very sticky start, he’s coming back to himself.

“He ran well in Ireland and he’s run a blinder today and we’re looking forward to Ascot.”

The Andrew Balding-trained Flora Of Bermuda could also be on her way to Ascot, with the trainer’s wife Anna Lisa saying: “I am absolutely delighted. She is such a superstar.

“We just hope one day she’ll get one of these but to be third in another Group One is magnificent.

“We are so thrilled to be training for Wathnan and I am thrilled for Mick Appleby too.

“I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t look at Ascot now. She was third in it last year I think and today was the third time she has come third in a Group One race.”

Whirl aiming to underline Arc claims with Vermeille victory

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Whirl is among a plethora of horses looking to cement their place in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on a jam-packed card at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

Touched off by stablemate Minnie Hauk in the Oaks, she has since beaten Kalpana in the Pretty Polly in Ireland and ran out an easy winner of the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

She is as low as 6-1 joint-favourite for the Arc in some lists in a market that is sure to have a big shake-up after this weekend.

O’Brien also runs Bedtime Story, who was second to Gezora in the Prix de Diane and that pair meet again.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “It looks a lovely race for her. Obviously, there are some very good fillies in it. It is a very good race, it is a Group One and it will be nice to get this out of the way and see where she fits in for the back end of the season – is she a filly that ends up in the Arc mix?

“She has loads of options and she has been a filly that has just gone from strength to strength this year, physically and mentally. She came through Goodwood very well and her work has been lovely since. Aidan and all the team at home have been delighted with her. Looking forward to tomorrow.”

Francis-Henri Graffard said of Gezora: “This race has been the target ever since she won the Prix de Diane. She worked on the racecourse on Tuesday and everything went smoothly.

“I don’t think the longer distance will be an issue – she’s very relaxed in her races. She’s also proven she can handle any ground.

“This race will help us decide on the rest of her campaign. The Arc is certainly an option, but the Prix de l’Opera is also on the table.”

Christophe Ferland’s Aventure was second to Bluestocking in both the Prix Vermeille and the Arc last season and returns for a second tilt at the former contest after finishing second to Calandagan in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last time out.

“Everything is looking good for Sunday. Maxime Guyon came to work her on Tuesday morning and all went well. Aventure is in great form,” said Ferland.

Los Angeles was a fine third in the Arc last season, having attempted the tough task of making all.

He added another Group One to his record in the Tattersalls Gold Cup earlier this campaign, but O’Brien admitted his King George tactics were wrong and felt he was some way from his best last time out. He runs in the Prix Foy.

“We’re very happy, he only started back at the Curragh (last time) so he was always going to have an easy time. He had an easy time because it was his first run back, then the plan was he would go to France for his next one and it will be a bit harder,” said O’Brien.

“He’s still not all out, there’s more to come, and hopefully he’ll arrive in time for the Arc. The season went downhill a bit at Ascot but the Arc has always been his aim.”

Sosie was one place behind Los Angeles in the Arc and has his first run since finishing sixth in the Eclipse for Andre Fabre.

The Japanese challenger, Byzantine Dream, was second in the Tenno Sho when last seen in May and connections are hoping this will be the perfect stepping stone to the Arc.

His trainer Tomoyasu Sakaguchi, said: “In the Foy, the key is for him to have a good, incident-free race that serves as a springboard to the main goal. His preparation has gone very well. He’s a bit unsettled by the change of environment – his stress levels are higher than they would be in Japan – but we hope he’ll settle quickly.”

Ed Walker’s Almaqam showed his class earlier in the season when beating Ombudsman, but has been frustrated by the dry summer and this will be his first try at 12 furlongs.

“I think the Prix Foy is the right race for him,” said Walker.

“The ground should suit. Several jockeys who’ve ridden him before believe he’ll stay. His pedigree doesn’t make it obvious, but the way he races suggests he should. He’s a dream of a horse for a jockey – you can place him anywhere.

“Sunday will tell us whether he’s an Arc horse or better suited to the Champion Stakes. He’s in phenomenal form.”

The Prix Niel should prove informative too, with Jean-Claude Rouget’s Grand Prix de Paris winner Leffard in a field of eight.

“His preparation went well. Leffard and Arrow Eagle (runs in the Prix Foy) worked together on Monday at Deauville and finished together,” said Rouget.

“I didn’t see the point in running Leffard at Deauville. I think moving the Arc trials up by a week was a great decision – it gives horses more recovery time.”

Aidan O’Brien runs Swagman, not seen since winning the Classic Trial at Sandown, and Aftermath, who is making his seasonal reappearance.

Joseph O’Brien sends over Tennessee Stud, third in the Derby and fourth in the Irish version, with George Scott’s Bay City Roller another who cannot be dismissed trying the trip for the first time.

Big targets on the horizon for Sprint Cup hero Mojo

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Qipco Champions Day at Ascot and a second trip to the Breeders’ Cup are among the options under consideration for Big Mojo after he provided trainer Mick Appleby with a first domestic Group One success in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock.

The Rutland handler has saddled only one previous top-level winner, with the similarly named Big Evs claiming a thrilling victory at the Breeders’ Cup two years ago.

Big Mojo emulated his former stablemate by winning the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood last summer before performing creditably at the Breeders’ Cup himself, while this season he had won Ascot’s Pavilion Stakes and come within a neck of a Group One triumph in the July Cup at Newmarket.

Having subsequently finished only fifth in the King George Stakes at Goodwood, the Mohaather colt was a 16-1 shot for his latest big-race test on Merseyside – but with stands’ rail to help, he roared back to form under a power-packed drive from William Buick to record a one-and-a-quarter-length victory.

Appleby said: “That was absolutely great, he did it so well. Everything went to plan and it took William half the track to pull him up!

“I think it does mean more to win a Group One here (in Britain). He’s a very good horse, obviously we were disappointed at Goodwood but we put it down to the softer ground.

“There were a lot of question marks next to his name, but he was in great form at home and we were coming here quite optimistic, to be fair

“We always had faith in the horse and he’s definitely up there with Big Evs.”

Big Mojo was a decisive winner at Haydock
Big Mojo was a decisive winner at Haydock (Martin Rickett/PA)

Both Big Evs and Big Mojo are part-owned by Paul Teasdale, who is clearly keen on a return to California in early November.

He said: “We knew he would give us a big run. I said to William going out ‘we just need another July Cup performance’ as we were only inches away from winning that day. We knew he was capable and we knew this was a Group One horse and it was just a case of getting it right on the day.

“He came fourth at the Breeders’ Cup last year and we wouldn’t be scared to go back. We think he’s equally good at five or six furlongs and he handled Del Mar really well last year.

“We’ve got an entry at Ascot on Champions Day and we might even consider the Prix de l’Abbaye. Let’s enjoy today and we’ll think about it.”

Buick was riding for the first time and said: “It was a brilliant spare ride to get, it all came together and we got the job done.

“It’s beautiful ground and I think middle to stands’ side is where you want to be. The race panned out well, but he put in a big performance I thought. He was very smooth and really I had no moment of worry. Once I gave him the get-go, he just got on with it and saw it out well.

“I’m delighted for Mick and the owners. They’re great people and these are the days we all do it for.”

Rosallion ready to face Prix du Moulin challenge

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Rosallion has another opportunity to return to the Group One winner’s enclosure in the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp on Sunday.

Richard Hannon’s stable star broke his top-level duck in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at this track two years ago and last season enjoyed success in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes.

His pursuit of further Group One glory as a four-year-old has so far proved frustrating, however, with nose and neck defeats in the Queen Anne and Sussex Stakes respectively followed by a fourth-placed finish when dropped back to seven furlongs for the City of York Stakes two weeks ago.

Returning to a mile on a track where he has proven his worth in the past, Hannon is hoping his charge can finally prevail.

“He’s in good form, hopefully the ground will be drying out and hopefully the ground will be good by Sunday,” he said.

“He’s fit as a fiddle, he’s won there before and we’re keen to take the race on.

“He has no problem backing up quickly – he went from the Irish Guineas to the St James’s Palace and he takes his racing well and looks after himself. He’s got a solid constitution.

“We gave Henri Matisse 8lb at Goodwood and beat him, we have to give him 6lb on Sunday, so we’re 2lb better off.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Henri Matisse is another with winning form at the Parisian track, having struck Classic gold in the French 2000 Guineas in the spring, while he was just over two lengths behind Rosallion when third in a muddling Sussex Stakes won by 150-1 shot Qirat.

He is one of three runners for O’Brien along with The Lion In Winter, who is yet to strike in four starts this term, and a possible pacemaker in Serengeti.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “Henri Matisse ran on slow ground last year in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and it didn’t go to plan, but hopefully the ground should definitely be better than it was then. The quicker the better for him.

“He has come through Goodwood very well and it is another very tough Group One – you have obviously got Rosallion in it, Lead Artist, and plenty in it.”

Of The Lion In Winter, Armstrong added: “He dropped back down in trip in the Prix Jean Prat and ran an unbelievable race there (when third) and then went back to France (for the Jacques le Marois at Deauville) the last time and the way we rode him that day didn’t work out.

“This race should be different tactics and, hopefully, it will be a different result.

“The engine is still there, just a few things have got to fall right for him.”

A strong raiding party is completed by Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini, Simon and Ed Crisford’s Quddwah and John and Thady Gosden’s Lead Artist.

Dancing Gemini finished a close-up third in the Prix Jacques le Marois three weeks ago, while Quddwah has returned victorious after his two previous trips across the Channel this season, scoring at ParisLongchamp in May and Chantilly in July.

Lead Artist beat Dancing Gemini and Rosallion when landing the Lockinge at Newbury in May and while he failed to fire in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, better is expected on his return this weekend.

Barry Mahon, racing manager for owners Juddmonte, said: “He’s had a nice break since Ascot. We initially planned to go to the Marois and his bloods were just a little bit off, so he had a quiet week before it and missed that race but he’s back in good form. Colin (Keane) had a sit on him on Wednesday and thought he felt great, so we’re looking forward to seeing him.

“They’ve had a lot of rain in France, but I think the forecast is good between now and Sunday, so we’re hopeful that the ground will dry out sufficiently and it will be close to good ground.

“It’s a top-class renewal, as it always is. You’ve got Rosallion, The Lion In Winter, Henri Matisse and Dancing Gemini – they’re all there.

“It’s a top-class Group One, but in fairness we know our horse is a top-class Group One horse, we’re entitled to be there and although after a long break he might need it a little bit, it will set us up for something like the Breeders’ Cup then after.”

The Reverend pips stablemate to lift Old Borough Cup

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The Reverend defied trainer William Haggas’ pre-race worries with a narrow victory over stablemate Dramatic Star in the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup at Haydock.

With stable jockey Tom Marquand on board, The Reverend was the 7-2 favourite for the prestigious handicap, despite the fact Haggas had voiced his concerns about the drying Merseyside turf.

Dramatic Star was the first of the Haggas pair to hit the front after being delivered with his challenge on the far side of the track by Jason Hart, but Marquand’s mount was doing his best work at the finish and got up to score by a neck.

Haggas said: “I thought he wanted softer ground, so what do I know? But he was in really good form today, he went to post beautifully – really full of zest .

“When he’s been not as good he’s quite keen, but today he raced beautifully. I’m sorry the other horse got beaten, but he ran a good race – he was in front a bit early and just had a look, but it wasn’t his fault, it was just the way the race worked out.

“The winner came off the bit two (furlongs) out and we haven’t really run him over a mile and six much before, but he ran right to the line and did well.

“I haven’t got any plans for him that I can think of. He’s won a £100,000 race today, which is what we kept him in training for.

“You’d have to ask Sean (Graham, racing manager to part-owner Tony Bloom), but I think it’s quite likely he’ll go to Willie Mullins at the end of the year – and then come back to (Royal) Ascot and beat us next year probably. That’s the usual thing!”

Haggas also landed the other £100,000 handicap on the card – the Betfair Plays In A Different League Handicap – with 4-1 shot Valiancy.

Fitted with cheek pieces for the first time having been placed twice since his first career victory at Hamilton in June, the three-year-old knuckled down for Saffie Osborne to beat Ride The Thunder by three-quarters of a length.

Haggas added: “He’s quite a lazy horse and he just kept going at the same speed, but fortunately it was quick enough.”

Democracy Dilemma led his rivals a merry dance in the Betfair Be Friendly Handicap.

Robert Cowell’s sprinter rocketed out of the stalls and after being steered across to the stands’ rail by Tom Eaves, the 12-1 shot did not see another rival on his way to an emphatic four-and-three-quarter-length success over 2-1 favourite Luna A Inbhir Nis, who was bidding for her seventh win of the season.

Big Mojo soars to Sprint Cup success

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Big Mojo sprang a minor surprise as he ran out a 16-1 winner of the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Trained by Mick Appleby and ridden by William Buick, Big Mojo had finished a narrow second in the July Cup on his penultimate run but he unleashed a telling effort in the final furlong to get his head in front on Merseyside.

Last year’s second Kind Of Blue filled the runner-up spot again, with fellow Wathnan Racing-owned runner Flora Of Bermuda third while favourite Lazzat finished unplaced in the same silks.

Rage Of Bamby set the early pace up the nearside rail, with all the first three home racing up the same strip, while Lazzat was more towards the middle of the track.

The stands’ side clearly held the advantage coming into the final furlong and the strong finish of Big Mojo saw him pull a length and a quarter clear at the line, with just a nose separating the Wathnan pair.

Big Mojo was so full of running, it took Buick a good distance to pull up after the line and he told ITV Racing: “The hardest job was getting him to the start and pulling him up!

“He’s just a real sprinter – he’s got two speeds. He was lovely and smooth throughout the race and I really didn’t have a moment of worry.

“We got a nice tow into the race until about halfway and then off he went and made his own way home.”

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