Friendly Soul once again proved her class by securing a second Group One victory in the Qatar Prix Vermeille at Longchamp, Paris. The five‑year‑old mare, trained by the father‑son duo John and Thady Gosden, had been absent from the track for an entire season due to a lingering injury, but she returned this autumn with a series of encouraging performances that culminated in a dominant display at the French classic.
Her pedigree of success dates back to 2021, when she captured the prestigious Prix de l'Opera on the same weekend as the Arc. That win cemented her reputation as a top‑level filly capable of handling the toughest competition over middle distances. After the injury that forced her out of racing in 2023, the Gosdens gave her a careful, gradual preparation plan, opting for a light three‑start campaign to rebuild fitness and confidence.
The first of those three outings was a respectable run in a maiden race at Newmarket, where she showed a turn of foot but was eased off to preserve her health. The second was a step up in class at the Group 3 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket, where she finished a close second, indicating that she retained her ability to compete at a high level despite the long lay‑off. Her most recent prep before the Prix Vermeille came at Goodwood, where she contested the Nassau Stakes. In that race she settled just behind the leaders before making a determined run to chase down the winner, Diamond Necklace, finishing a creditable second.
The performance at Goodwood demonstrated that she could still produce a sustained gallop over a mile and a half, a distance that would be crucial for her next target. On the day of the Prix Vermeille, the atmosphere at Longchamp was electric, with the French crowd eager to see whether the returning champion could replicate her earlier triumph.
The field was strong, featuring several high‑quality fillies and mares, but the Gosdens and jockey James Doyle had a clear plan: take the lead early and let Friendly Soul dictate the pace. Doyle, who had partnered the mare in her previous Group One win, rode her out of the gate with confidence, positioning her on the rail and sending her straight to the front as the gates opened. From the outset, Friendly Soul settled into a comfortable rhythm, covering the early fractions with a steady, unhurried tempo.
This front‑running tactic allowed her to avoid the traffic and jostling that often occur in tightly packed fields. As the race progressed into the back straight, she began to pull away, establishing a clear advantage over the main pack. By the time the field rounded the final turn, she and a fellow front‑runner, Composing, had built a sizable gap, leaving the rest of the contenders to chase a diminishing target. Behind them, the race developed into a classic late‑stage duel.
Pink Panthera, a late‑maturing colt, and Sunly, a highly regarded filly, were forced to navigate through a crowded field as they attempted to close the distance. Sunly, in particular, encountered a series of setbacks: a poor break from the stalls and a brief encounter with traffic in the straight that forced her to lose momentum. Despite these challenges, both horses rallied with a strong finishing kick, testing Friendly Soul's resolve in the final furlongs.
Nevertheless, the Gosden filly displayed the stamina and tenacity that had become her hallmark. Even as the finish line approached, she maintained a steady gallop, refusing to be rattled by the late surge of her rivals.
When the winning post was finally crossed, the official result confirmed that Friendly Soul had held on to win by a comfortable margin, confirming her superiority over the field and adding a second Group One title to her résumé. Following the race, Thady Gosden spoke to Sky Sports Racing, praising the decision to keep the mare in training at five years of age. "It was a hugely sporting decision from her owners, George and Julia Strawbridge, to keep her in training at this age," he said. He reflected on her previous Prix de l'Opera victory, noting that she had once again taken the lead early but had faced a more sustained challenge this time.
"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 and was never really able to get a breather," Gosden explained, highlighting the filly's resilience under pressure. Gosden also emphasized the filly's talent and toughness, describing her as a "hugely talented filly and very tough too." He expressed optimism about her future, especially with the Arc on the horizon. Friendly Soul currently stands at 16‑1 odds for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe according to Coral betting markets.
When asked whether the Arc might now be a realistic target, Gosden admitted that the mile‑and‑a‑half distance was new territory for her, but her performance in the Prix Vermeille suggested she could handle it. "It was obviously her first time over a mile and a half, so it was slightly unknown territory before this," he said. He added that discussions with the owners were still 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," Gosden concluded.
The victory not only reaffirms Friendly Soul's status as one of Europe's elite middle‑distance mares but also sparks excitement among racing fans who hope to see her challenge the best of the continent in the forthcoming Arc. Her ability to lead from the front, sustain a strong pace, and fend off late‑charging rivals underscores a rare combination of speed, stamina, and courage. As the racing calendar moves toward October, all eyes will be on Longchamp to see whether the Gosdens will aim their champion at the ultimate test of distance and class, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, or perhaps consider alternative end‑of‑season targets that suit her unique attributes.
For now, Friendly Soul's triumph in the Prix Vermeille stands as a testament to careful management, the skill of her connections, and the indomitable spirit of a mare who refuses to be counted out, even after a year away from the track. Her story continues to inspire, and the racing world eagerly anticipates her next chapter.