Erdenali announced his arrival at the top tier of European sprint racing with a decisive victory in the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, a Group One contest that attracted a strong British and Irish lineup. The French‑run race, held at the historic Longchamp racecourse, saw several high‑profile entries, yet it was the previously untested Francis‑Henri Graffard colt who emerged as the clear winner, confirming his status as a genuine Group One performer.
The field was headlined by Aidan O'Brien’s Gstaad, the Irish 2,000 Guineas champion who entered the race as the odds‑on favourite. Close behind were Charlie Appleby’s Opera Ballo and Ed Walker’s Ten Bob Tony, both of whom had demonstrated solid form in recent outings.
While Gstaad and his stablemates carried the weight of expectation, Erdenali arrived without any prior Group One experience, having only three wins to his name and a narrow, unlucky third in a Group Three race at his most recent start. From the outset, the race unfolded in a tactical manner. Gstaad’s pacemaker, Dorset, set a brisk early tempo, allowing Opera Ballo to assume the lead as the field settled into a rhythm.
As the race entered the final furlong, Appleby’s horse began to tire, and the pace shifted dramatically. It was at this critical juncture that Erdenali, guided by his jockey, surged forward alongside Ten Bob Tony, the unexpected Queen Anne Stakes victor, to contest the lead. The duel between Erdenali and Ten Bob Tony was intense but brief.
Erdenali quickly proved superior, pulling ahead and extending his lead while the rest of the field, including the previously dominant Gstaad, faded into the background. Gstaad, who had never posed a serious threat in the closing stages, ultimately finished a disappointing third, underscoring the magnitude of Erdenali’s performance.
Following the race, Nemone Routh, the French racing manager and director for the Aga Khan Studs, spoke to Sky Sports Racing about the colt’s future. She explained that the team had been undecided whether Erdenali would be sent to the Arc de Triomphe sale, but his dominant win made that prospect unlikely.
Routh noted, "He doesn’t always look impressive in the morning gallops – if you had watched his work this week you might not have been overly impressed – but everything clicks in the afternoon. He should have been unbeaten; the Group Three loss was merely a result of a terrible trip. Our plan was always to test him at Group One level, and he has done that resoundingly." The victory instantly elevated Erdenali to favourite status for the upcoming Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot’s Champions Day, with Coral offering odds of 2‑1.
However, the connections, who have multiple runners in the same division, are weighing their options. Routh revealed that they also have Samangan earmarked for the Prix de la Forêt should the ground become too soft, while Rayif is another candidate for the QEII. She added, "We are also considering a trip to Keeneland after this, but Erdenali’s Group One win may cause us to rethink those plans.
He has undeniably proven himself at the highest level." Ed Walker, the trainer of runner‑up Ten Bob Tony, expressed his emotions after the race, saying, "I’m thrilled and incredibly proud of him – I’ve practically lost my voice. He’s had an amazing season and stepped up a gear in this race.
I’m a bit gutted because I thought we had it, especially after seeing Opera Ballo and Gstaad beaten. The winner deserved full respect – he’s a very good horse.
Our original plan was always the QEII, and we’ll decide later whether to aim for the Breeders’ Cup. We’ll do what’s best for him and hope he stays sound for many more seasons." The broader card of the Qatar Prix du Moulin meeting also featured a notable performance in the Qatar Prix Niel, where Varandir, another Graffard‑trained horse, delivered a commanding win.
Varandir, a son of the legendary Frankel, had been a favourite for the Epsom Derby before being withdrawn due to a stall incident. After rebounding with a Classic triumph at the Curragh and a respectable third in the King George at Ascot, Varandir was expected to be a serious contender for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. In the Prix Niel, he chased his stablemate Montreal before weakening, while Varandir, under Mickaël Barzalona, seized the lead in the home stretch and held off the staying‑on Alam to claim a comfortable victory.
When asked about Varandir’s performance, Routh again emphasized the horse’s progression, stating, "We knew he was improving physically and mentally throughout the year. His run in the Grand Prix de Paris showed he had moved forward a lot since his Group Three win. This win was exactly what he needed after a heavy prep season." Following the race, Coral dramatically shortened Varandir’s odds for the Arc from 40‑1 to 20‑1, positioning him as a credible challenger alongside last year’s winner Daryz.
Routh hinted that the connections are seriously contemplating an Arc entry, adding, "He can handle any ground, and having two runners can improve our chances – you might draw 18 out of 18 with one and get a good draw with the other. It’s a possibility we’re exploring." In summary, Erdenali’s stunning victory at Longchamp not only marked his first Group One win but also reshaped the strategic landscape for his connections as they plan the remainder of the season. With the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes looming, and potential trips to Keeneland or the Arc under consideration, the colt’s future looks bright. Meanwhile, Varandir’s resurgence adds another layer of intrigue to the Aga Khan stable’s campaign, promising further excitement for racing fans as the summer progresses.