Samangan delivered another Group One victory for trainer Francis‑Henri Graffard by winning the ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. Throughout the six‑and‑a‑half‑furlong contest, the Aga Khan Stud’s colt stayed close to the early‑speed leader Afandy, then launched a determined challenge in the final quarter‑mile.

He managed to out‑finish Stolen Kiss and narrowly denied the William Haggas‑trained Division, ridden by James Doyle, a fast‑finishing effort that arrived at the line just a fraction too late. The win marked a dramatic reversal of form from Samangan’s previous outing, where he had finished fourth in the Prix Jean‑Prat while True Love claimed second place.

In the Maurice de Gheest, Samangan turned the tables on the Ballydoyle Classic winner, demonstrating the improvement he has shown since that earlier race. The race was covered extensively on Sky Sports Racing, where Nemone Routh, the racing manager for the French owners, praised the colt’s temperament and adaptability.

"He’s a lovely horse, very genuine," she said. "He always stays on Afandy’s heels and then shows a lot of bravery when the opportunity comes." Routh added that the horse’s preferred conditions appear to be firm, good ground.

"He could go to Ascot on Champions Day, but we think he performs best on firm going. If the ground gets too soft he probably wouldn’t handle it well. He’s a relaxed animal and can handle seven furlongs, but everything depends on the ground," she explained.

Graffard echoed the sentiment, noting that Samangan has always been highly regarded within the stable. "I’m very pleased for the operation. He’s a colt we have always held in high esteem.

The start of the season didn’t go as we hoped, but those early runs gave him valuable experience. His previous races have toughened him up, and this victory is the culmination of the lessons he’s learned," the trainer said. Looking ahead, Graffard hinted at a possible next target: the Qatar Prix de la Forêt, provided the surface is not too testing.

"He’s a Group One winner and exceptionally well‑bred, so he has earned his place at stud as a stallion. My job is done!" he concluded. The card also featured a notable performance from Distant Storm, who helped elevate the profiles of three‑year‑old milers Bow Echo and Gstaad with a win in the Prix Daphnis. Bow Echo had previously finished third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, while Gstaad was the Irish 2000 Guineas winner.

Both horses were trained by Charlie Appleby and had been off the track since their Curragh outings. In the Group Three Prix Daphnis, Billy Loughnane rode the Godolphin runner, who found himself a little boxed in before finding a clear run to chase the well‑bet Italian challenger Grand Son Of Dark. The Godolphin colt had to work hard, but he always gave the impression that he would get there, and he ultimately did, securing a comfortable victory that sets him up for higher‑level contests.

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 overexert himself when he’s in a good position, so having a clear target helped 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 confident I had everything covered." Overall, the day highlighted Samangan’s ascent to the top tier of sprinting, confirming his status as a versatile and resilient performer capable of handling a range of ground conditions. His win at Deauville not only adds a prestigious Group One trophy to his record but also enhances his future breeding prospects. Meanwhile, the performances of Bow Echo, Gstaad, and the Godolphin runner in the Prix Daphnis suggest a promising batch of three‑year‑olds ready to take on the next challenges of the season.