Erdenali stepped up to the elite level in spectacular fashion, demonstrating his superiority over the field in the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. The race featured a strong British and Irish presence, with Aidan O'Brien's Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Gstaad entering as the clear favourite.
He was closely followed by Charlie Appleby’s Opera Ballo and Ed Walker’s Ten Bob Tony, both highly regarded contenders. In contrast to those three, Francis‑Henri Graffard’s Erdenali had never previously faced Group One opposition.
Nevertheless, he had shown great promise by winning his first three starts and had narrowly missed out on a victory in a recent Group Three, finishing a close third. This background made his performance in the Prix du Moulin all the more noteworthy. The race unfolded with Gstaad’s pacemaker, Dorset, taking the early lead and setting a brisk tempo.
As the field approached the final furlong, Appleby’s Opera Ballo, having expended much of his energy, began to fade. At that crucial moment, Erdenali and the surprise Queen Anne victor Ten Bob Tony surged forward to contest the lead.
Erdenali proved the stronger of the two, pulling ahead and leaving both Ten Bob Tony and the fading Gstaad behind. Gstaad, who never managed to threaten the front‑running Erdenali, ultimately finished a disappointing third, far from the expectations placed on the favourite.
After the race, Nemone Routh, the French racing manager and director for the Aga Khan Studs, explained the significance of the win to Sky Sports Racing: "We were debating whether he would go to the Arc sale after this, but now I don’t think that will happen. He’s a horse that doesn’t always look impressive in the morning – if you had seen his morning work you might not have been convinced – yet everything clicks in the afternoon. He should have been unbeaten; the Group Three loss was a result of a terrible trip.
Our aim was always to test him at this level, and he has done so resoundingly." With the victory, Erdenali instantly became Coral’s new 2‑1 favourite for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot. However, his connections, who have several runners in the same division, are still weighing their options. Routh added, "We have other horses for the Prix de la Forêt – Samangan if the ground stays firm, and Rayif, who could be aimed at the QEII.
Erdenali is also a strong candidate for the QEII, and we had considered a trip to Keeneland afterward, but we may need to reassess now. He has undeniably proven himself as a Group One performer." Ed Walker, speaking about his runner‑up Ten Bob Tony, expressed his pride: "I’m thrilled and a little hoarse from all the shouting.
He’s had an incredible season, stepping up a gear and delivering a massive run. I was a bit gutted because I thought we had the race in the bag, especially after seeing Opera Ballo and Gstaad beaten, and perhaps we didn’t give the winner enough credit – he’s a top‑class horse. Our original plan was always the QEII, and possibly the Breeders’ Cup afterwards; we’ll decide what’s best for him, hoping he stays sound for many years to come." The article then shifted focus to another notable performance at the meeting. Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini, who had been a favourite for the Epsom Derby before a starting‑stall incident forced his withdrawal, rebounded with a Classic win at the Curragh three weeks earlier.
He later placed a respectable third in the King George at Ascot. Returning from a brief spell, the Frankel offspring was expected to make a strong bid for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but after chasing his stablemate Montreal from the home turn, he faded to finish fifth.
Meanwhile, Montreal, who had led most of the race, ran out of steam in the final furlong. Francis‑Henri Graffard’s Varandir, who had been a close fourth behind William Haggas’s Maltese Cross in his last outing at the Grand Prix de Paris, seized the opportunity. Guided expertly by Mickael Barzalona, Varandir took the lead and held on comfortably against the staying‑on Alam, securing a decisive victory.
When asked if Varandir’s win was unexpected, Routh replied, "Not really. We knew he was in great form after his performance in the Grand Prix de Paris – he had improved markedly since his Group Three win. Both mentally and physically he has progressed throughout the season, and this race gave him the confidence he needed after a somewhat heavy prep run." Coral has dramatically shortened Varandir’s odds for the Arc from 40‑1 to 20‑1, positioning him as a serious contender alongside last year’s champion Daryz. Routh confirmed his intentions: "He’s definitely in the Arc.
We’ll need to discuss it with Princess Zahra, but I see no reason not to run him. He handles any ground, and having two runners can be advantageous – you might draw one on the outside and the other on a better draw, spreading your chances. It’s a viable strategy." Overall, the Qatar Prix du Moulin meeting highlighted the depth of talent in the Aga Khan Studs’ stable, with Erdenali confirming his Group One credentials and Varandir adding another high‑profile win to his résumé. Both horses are now firmly in the conversation for the season’s remaining marquee events, and racing fans will be eager to see how they perform on the world stage in the weeks ahead.