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 colt stayed close to the early pacesetter Afandy, then engaged in a hard‑fought duel in the final quarter‑mile.
He managed to outstay Stolen Kiss and timed his run perfectly, crossing the line just ahead of the William Haggas‑trained Division, who had surged under jockey James Doyle. The win marked a striking reversal of form from Samangan's previous outing, where he had finished fourth in the Prix Jean Prat while True Love took second.
This time the Ballydoyle Classic heroine was turned on her head as Samangan surged ahead to claim the prize. Racing manager Nemone Routh, speaking for the French‑based owners, praised the colt’s temperament and versatility. "He’s a lovely horse, very genuine," she said. "He always stayed close to Afandy and then showed great bravery.
He could have been aimed at Ascot on Champions Day, but we’ve learned this year that he prefers good, firm ground. If the ground gets too soft, he would struggle.
He’s a relaxed animal who can handle seven furlongs, but the surface is the key factor." Graffard echoed those sentiments, noting that the colt had been a long‑term project for the stable. "I’m extremely pleased for the stable," he explained.
"We have always held this colt in high regard. The start of the season didn’t go as we hoped, but those early runs gave him valuable experience. The toughening he underwent in those races has paid off, and this Group One win is a direct result of that learning curve." He added that Samangan’s next target might be the Qatar Prix de la Forêt, provided the ground is not too testing.
"He is a Group One winner and exceptionally well‑bred, so he has earned his place at stud. My job is done!" The meeting also featured a notable performance from Distant Storm, who revived the reputations 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 had bested him in the Irish equivalent. After a spell following the Curragh run, Charlie Appleby’s colt returned in Group Three company, encountering a tight start before settling into a chase of the well‑backed Italian challenger Grand Son Of Dark.
The Godolphin runner was forced to work hard, but he never lost belief in his ability to finish strongly, and he ultimately secured a comfortable victory, setting the stage for a return to higher‑level contests. Jockey Billy Loughnane reflected on the ride: "I was a little further back than ideal, but the pace settled nicely, which suited me.
When I popped him out at the top of the straight, he had a clear target. He’s a horse that doesn’t overexert himself when he’s in the right position, so having a rival to chase was perfect. He has a nice turn of foot – he may take a moment to accelerate, but once he does he’s electric through the line. I was confident I had everything covered." Samangan’s victory adds another chapter to the storied history of the Prix Maurice de Gheest, a race that often showcases the finest sprinter‑milers in Europe.
The colt’s ability to adapt to firm ground, his willingness to stay close to the pace, and his late‑running courage all point to a horse with both class and heart. As the season progresses, connections will weigh the options of targeting further Group One sprints or perhaps stretching out to longer distances, depending on ground conditions and the colt’s ongoing development. Regardless of the path chosen, Samangan has now secured a place in the elite ranks of modern thoroughbreds, and his future as a stallion looks increasingly promising.