Friendly Soul once again proved her class by adding a second Group One win to her record in the Qatar Prix Vermeille at Longchamp, Paris. The five‑year‑old mare, trained by John and Thady Gosden, had been absent from the track for an entire season after suffering an injury, but she returned this year with a series of impressive performances that culminated in a dominant victory on the French turf.
Her previous top‑level triumph came two years earlier when she captured the prestigious Prix de l'Opera during the Arc weekend. That win established her as a high‑calibre filly, but the setback of a long lay‑off left many wondering whether she could ever regain that form.
The Gosdens were patient, giving her time to recover fully before bringing her back into competition. The plan paid off as she gradually built fitness over three starts this season, each one revealing a little more of the talent that had once made her a Group One winner. The most recent of those preparatory runs was at Goodwood, where Friendly Soul contested the Nassau Stakes. In that race she chased down Diamond Necklace, showing a turn of foot and a willingness to battle that hinted at her readiness for a bigger test.
The Nassau performance was a clear signal that she was nearing peak condition, and the connections set their sights on the Prix Vermeille – a race over a mile and a half that would also serve as a potential stepping stone toward the ultimate middle‑distance target, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. When the day of the Vermeille arrived, the atmosphere at Longchamp was electric. Jockey James Doyle, who has partnered the mare on several occasions, rode her out of the stalls with confidence, immediately taking the lead. Despite the distance being a new challenge for Friendly Soul – it was her first attempt at a mile and a half since her injury – Doyle never appeared to doubt her stamina.
He settled her comfortably in front, allowing her to dictate the tempo from the very beginning. As the field turned the home bend, Friendly Soul and another contender, Composing, had already carved out a clear gap from the rest of the pack.
The two leaders were cruising, while the trailing horses began to make their moves. Pink Panthera and Sunly, who had been held back early, started to close rapidly in the straight.
Sunly, in particular, seemed to have been unlucky; a poor break and some traffic trouble in the final furlong hampered her progress, leaving her just short of the winner’s line. Nevertheless, the Gosden filly showed enough reserve to repel the late surge. She crossed the finish line with a comfortable margin, confirming that the mile‑and‑a‑half distance suited her well and that she still possessed the tenacity that made her a Group One champion.
After the race, Thady Gosden praised the decision to keep the mare in training at her age, noting the owners' commitment to her continued career. "It was a hugely sporting decision from her owners, George and Julia Strawbridge, to keep her in training at this age," he told Sky Sports Racing. Reflecting on her previous win in the Prix de l'Opera, Gosden recalled how Friendly Soul had taken the lead early but then faced a fierce challenge in the final straight, never really getting a breather. "She likes to do things her own way and took James to the front there, but she didn't get an easy lead at all – she got attacked in the false straight there and was never really able to get a breather," he said.
He added that the filly’s resilience and talent remain evident, and it is gratifying to see her back at her best after a year away. Looking ahead, Friendly Soul is now listed at 16‑1 for the upcoming Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, according to Coral betting odds.
When asked whether the Arc might now be a realistic goal, Gosden acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the new distance but expressed optimism. "It was obviously her first time over a mile and a half, so it was slightly unknown territory before this," he explained.
He also mentioned that discussions with owners George and Julia are ongoing. "I haven't had a chance to speak to George and Julia yet, we'll see how she comes out of the race and see where they'd like to go with her, but of course it's great to have it (Arc) as an option," he added. The victory in the Prix Vermeille not only restores Friendly Soul’s standing among Europe’s elite middle‑distance mares but also opens a tantalising possibility of a return to the Arc, where she could once again challenge the continent’s best.
For now, her connections will relish the achievement, celebrate the successful comeback, and begin planning the next steps for a filly who has shown remarkable durability, class, and a willingness to fight until the very end.