Erdenali stepped up to the elite tier with unmistakable authority, outclassing the assembled field in the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. The race attracted a formidable British and Irish lineup, featuring Aidan O'Brien's Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Gstaad, who entered as the odds‑on favourite, alongside Charlie Appleby’s contender Opera Ballo and Ed Walker’s Ten Bob Tony, a surprise victor of the Queen Anne Stakes. In contrast, Francis‑Henri Graffard’s Erdenali arrived without any Group One experience, yet his early career had been promising: he had won his first three starts and had narrowly missed out on a Group Three win in his most recent outing, finishing a close third. The pace scenario unfolded with Gstaad’s pacemaker Dorset taking the early lead, setting a brisk tempo that suited Opera Ballo’s front‑running style.
However, Appleby’s horse expended much of its energy before the final furlong, leaving the race wide open as the finish approached. At that point, both Erdenali and the unexpected Queen Anne winner Ten Bob Tony surged forward, challenging for the lead.
Erdenali proved the superior of the two, pulling ahead decisively while the pair began to draw away from Gstaad, who never managed to threaten the leaders and ultimately faded to a disappointing third place. After the race, Nemone Routh, the French racing manager and director for the Aga Khan Studs, spoke to Sky Sports Racing, explaining the connections’ thoughts about Erdenali’s future. She said, "We were debating whether to send him to the Arc sale after this, but I don’t think that will happen now. He isn’t a horse that dazzles in the morning workouts – if you had seen him this week you might not have been impressed – yet everything clicks in the afternoon.
He should have been unbeaten; the Group Three loss was a nightmare trip. Our plan was always to bring him here to test his Group One credentials, and he has done that resoundingly." Erdenali is now Coral’s new 2‑1 favourite for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot. The stable, however, has several horses capable of contesting the same division, so the exact program remains flexible. Routh added, "We also have Samangan for the Prix de la Forêt if the ground stays firm, and Rayif could be aimed at the QEII.
Erdenali is definitely on the QEII card, and we were even considering a trip to Keeneland after that, but we may need to reassess now that he has proven himself at Group One level." Ed Walker, speaking about his runner‑up Ten Bob Tony, expressed his enthusiasm: "I’m thrilled and a little hoarse from all the shouting. He’s had an amazing season and stepped up a gear in this race. I was a bit gutted because I thought we had it, especially after seeing Opera Ballo and Gstaad beaten – perhaps we didn’t give the winner enough credit. He looks very good, and we were probably beaten by a truly great horse.
Our original plan was always the QEII, and we’ll decide later about the Breeders’ Cup. We’ll do what’s best for him and hope he stays sound for many more seasons." The broadcast concluded with a reminder to stay updated on racing news via mobile alerts. In a separate highlight, Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini fell short as Varandir captured a decisive 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, rebounded to win the Curragh Classic three weeks later and later placed a respectable third in the King George at Ascot.
Returning from a brief spell, the Frankel offspring was expected to make a serious bid for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on the same course and distance four weeks later. However, after chasing his pacesetting stablemate Montreal from the home turn, he struggled to maintain pressure and faded to fifth. With Montreal tiring in the final furlong after leading much of the race, Francis‑Henri Graffard’s Varandir – who had finished a close fourth behind William Haggas’s Maltese Cross in the Grand Prix de Paris – took command under jockey Mickael Barzalona and secured a comfortable win over the staying‑on Alam.
When asked whether the victory was unexpected, Routh told Sky Sports Racing, "Not really. We knew the horse was in great shape and had progressed a lot since his Group Three win. His performance in the Grand Prix de Paris showed he had moved forward considerably, both mentally and physically, throughout the year.
He needed this run because his prep races had been a bit taxing." Varandir’s odds for the Arc were cut dramatically by Coral, moving from 40‑1 to 20‑1, and the same owners are preparing last year’s winner Daryz to defend his title. Routh confirmed Varandir’s Arc ambitions, stating, "He is definitely in the Arc. We’ll need to speak to Princess Zahra, the owner, but I think why not run?
He handles any ground, and having two runners can be advantageous – you might draw 18th with one and get a good draw with the other, so spreading the chances makes sense." The coverage wrapped up with an invitation to follow the latest horse‑racing updates, interviews and features on Sky Sports Racing.