Erdenali stepped up to the elite tier of competition in spectacular fashion, proving himself far superior to the assembled challengers in the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. The race, a Group One event that attracted a strong contingent from Britain and Ireland, featured Aidan O'Brien’s celebrated Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Gstaad as the odds‑on favourite.
Close behind were Charlie Appleby’s well‑regarded Opera Ballo and the Ed Walker‑trained sprinter Ten Bob Tony, each expected to make a serious bid for the prize. In contrast to those three seasoned Group One campaigners, Francis‑Henri Graffard’s Erdenali entered the contest without any previous top‑level experience.
The colt had, however, shown great promise by winning his first three starts and had narrowly missed out on victory in a recent Group Three, finishing a close third after an unlucky trip. This blend of raw talent and a touch of disappointment set the stage for a breakthrough performance. When the gates opened, Gstaad’s pacemaker Dorset took the early lead, setting a brisk tempo that drew Opera Ballo into the front‑running position.
As the race unfolded, Appleby’s charge began to wane, and by the final furlong his mount was already exhausted. At that critical juncture, Erdenali and the unexpected Queen Anne winner Ten Bob Tony surged forward, battling for supremacy. While the two horses clashed, Erdenali displayed a clear edge, pulling ahead and establishing a decisive gap.
Gstaad, who had never really threatened the leaders, faded in the closing stages and ultimately finished a disappointing third, far from the winning circle. Erdenali, on the other hand, crossed the finish line with authority, confirming his status as a genuine Group One contender. Following the race, Nemone Routh – the French racing manager and director for the Aga Khan Studs – spoke to Sky Sports Racing with palpable enthusiasm.
She explained that the team had been undecided whether to send Erdenali to the Arc sale after the event, but his dominant performance had put that question to rest. Routh highlighted the colt’s modest morning work, noting that despite an unimpressive training session earlier in the week, everything seemed to click in the afternoon race. She lamented that Erdenali should have been unbeaten, especially after the narrow loss in the Group Three, describing the earlier race as a "nightmare trip." Routh affirmed that the primary goal had always been to test the horse at Group One level, and Erdenali had done so "quite resoundingly." The victory immediately shifted betting markets, with Coral listing Erdenali as the new 2‑1 favourite for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot.
Yet the connections, who also have several other promising runners in the same division, are keeping their options open. Routh mentioned that they have a horse named Samangan ready for the Prix de la Forêt should the ground become too soft, and another colt, Rayif, who could also be aimed at the QEII. She added that while Erdenali is a strong candidate for the QEII, the team is also contemplating a trip to Keeneland after Ascot, though the recent triumph may prompt a reassessment of that plan. Ed Walker, the trainer of runner‑up Ten Bob Tony, expressed his delight and a touch of frustration.
He praised his horse’s season, describing it as "amazing" and noting that Ten Bob Tony had stepped up a gear in the race. Walker admitted that he had initially expected his colt to challenge the front‑runners more aggressively, but after seeing Opera Ballo and Gstaad beaten, he realised the winner, Erdenali, deserved full credit. He reiterated that the QEII remains the primary target for Ten Bob Tony, with the possibility of a Breeders’ Cup appearance later in the year, depending on how the horse’s health and form evolve. Beyond the main story, the broadcast reminded viewers to stay updated with the latest racing news, interviews, and features via their mobile devices.
In related news from the same meeting, Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini underperformed as Varandir secured a convincing victory in the Qatar Prix Niel at Longchamp. Benvenuto Cellini, who had been the favourite for the Epsom Derby before a starting‑stall incident forced his withdrawal, had rebounded to win the Curragh Classic three weeks earlier and later placed a respectable third in the King George at Ascot. However, in the Prix Niel, after pursuing his stablemate Montreal from the home turn, he faded to fifth.
Varandir, trained by Francis‑Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, capitalised on Montreal’s waning stamina in the final furlong. Having previously finished fourth behind William Haggas’s Maltese Cross in the Grand Prix de Paris, Varandir surged ahead to claim a comfortable win over the staying‑on Alam. When asked if the result was unexpected, Routh explained that the team had anticipated a strong performance, noting the colt’s significant progress since his Group Three victory and his impressive run in the Grand Prix de Paris. She emphasized that Varandir has improved both mentally and physically throughout the season and that the Prix Niel served as a necessary stepping stone after a somewhat heavy preparatory campaign.
The betting market responded swiftly, with Coral cutting Varandir’s odds for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe from 40‑1 to 20‑1. While the Aga Khan Studs also have last year's Arc champion Daryz slated to defend his title, Varandir, a son of the legendary Frankel, is now firmly in the conversation for a place in the field. Routh confirmed that Varandir is indeed being considered for the Arc, pending discussions with owner Princess Zahra.
She suggested that having two runners from the same ownership could be advantageous, offering strategic flexibility in draw positions and ground conditions. In summary, Erdenali's commanding win at the Prix du Moulin not only validates his Group One credentials but also reshapes the strategic landscape for his connections as they map out a campaign that could include the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, a potential venture to Keeneland, and perhaps even the Arc. Meanwhile, Varandir's triumph in the Prix Niel adds another promising contender to the Arc roster, underscoring the depth and quality of the Aga Khan Studs' current generation of thoroughbreds.