Samangan delivered another Group One victory for trainer Francis‑Henri Graffard by winning the prestigious ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. Throughout the six‑and‑a‑half‑furlong contest the colt stayed close to the early‑pace setter Afandy, positioning himself just off the lead as the race unfolded. In the final quarter‑mile Samangan steadied his effort, edging past Stolen Kiss and timing his run perfectly to deny the William Haggas‑trained Division, ridden by James Doyle, a chance at the finish line.
The win was particularly satisfying because Samangan had finished fourth in his previous outing, the Prix Jean Prat, where True Love was the runner‑up. This time around the order was reversed, with Samangan turning the tables on his former rival and securing a decisive triumph. "He’s a lovely horse, very genuine," said Nemone Routh, the racing manager for the owners in France, during an interview with Sky Sports Racing.
"He always stayed close to Afandy and then showed a lot of bravery in the finish." Routh went on to discuss the colt’s preferred conditions, noting that Samangan thrives on good, firm ground. "He could have gone to Ascot on Champions Day, but we think he performs best when the ground is firm. If it gets too soft, he wouldn’t be as effective.
He’s a relaxed animal and can handle seven furlongs, but everything depends on the going," she explained. Graffard echoed the sentiment, expressing his satisfaction with the colt’s progress. "I’m very pleased for the stable.
We have always held this colt in high regard. The start of the season didn’t go exactly as we hoped, but he needed to gain experience. His earlier races have toughened him up, and this victory is the direct result of the lessons he has learned on the track," he said.
Looking ahead, Graffard hinted at Samangan’s next target: the Qatar Prix de la Forêt, provided the ground is not overly testing. "He is a Group One winner, exceptionally well‑bred, and now he has earned his place at stud as a stallion.
My job is done!" he added, underscoring the colt’s future breeding value. In other news from the meeting, Distant Storm helped elevate the profiles of three‑year‑old milers Bow Echo and Gstaad with a winning return in the Prix Daphnis. Bow Echo, who finished third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, and Gstaad, who was bested by Bow Echo in the Irish equivalent, both benefited from the strong performance of Charlie Appleby’s colt, who had been off the track since his run at the Curragh. The Group Three race saw Billy Loughnane aboard a Godolphin runner that initially found itself a little boxed in.
Once a clear run opened, the horse launched a determined chase after the well‑backed Italian challenger Grand Son Of Dark. Despite having to cover a fair amount of ground, the colt never lost belief and ultimately prevailed, setting the stage for a return to higher‑level competition. Loughnane reflected on the ride: "I ended up a little further back than ideal, but the pace was even, which suited us.
When I popped him out at the top of the straight, he had a target to run at. He’s a horse that doesn’t do too much when he’s there, so having a horse to aim at was good and he won comfortably in the end. He has a nice turn of foot; he takes a bit of time to pick up, but when he does he’s electric through the line. I was pretty confident I had everything covered." These performances highlight the depth of talent present at the Deauville meeting, with Samangan’s Group One success confirming his status as a top‑class miler and future sire, while the emerging three‑year‑olds Bow Echo, Gstaad and the Godolphin runner demonstrate the promising next generation of middle‑distance talent in European racing.
The weekend’s results will undoubtedly influence upcoming race plans, breeding decisions, and the strategic placement of these horses in future Group races across the continent.