Erdenali stepped up to the elite level in spectacular fashion, outclassing the field in the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. The race, a Group One showdown, featured a strong British and Irish presence, with Aidan O'Brien's Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Gstaad entering as the overwhelming favourite.
Close behind were Charlie Appleby’s well‑regarded Opera Ballo and Ed Walker’s Ten Bob Tony, who had shocked many by winning the Queen Anne Stakes. Unlike the three front‑runners, Erdenali had never contested a Group One race before.
He had, however, impressed in his first three starts, winning each, and then suffered a narrow defeat when he finished third in a Group Three event on his most recent outing. That near‑miss left many observers questioning whether he could handle the step up in class. On the day, Gstaad’s pacemaker Dorset set a brisk early tempo, allowing Opera Ballo to take the lead for a spell.
As the race entered the final furlong, Appleby’s charge began to fade, and the two outsiders – Erdenali and the surprise Queen Anne victor Ten Bob Tony – surged forward to contest the lead. In the ensuing duel, Erdenali proved the stronger, pulling clear of Ten Bob Tony and extending his advantage over a struggling Gstaad, who never threatened to mount a serious challenge and ultimately finished a disappointing third. After the finish, Nemone Routh, the French racing manager and director for the Aga Khan Studs, explained the significance of the win to Sky Sports Racing.
She said the team had been undecided whether Erdenali would be sent to the Arc sale, but his performance made that option unlikely. Routh noted that Erdenali does not always look impressive in the morning workouts – “if you had seen him this week you wouldn’t have been particularly impressed” – yet everything clicks in the afternoon.
She added that the colt should have been unbeaten, believing he would have won the Group Three easily if not for a “nightmare trip.” The primary objective, she said, was always to test him at Group One level, and he had done so “quite resoundingly.” With the victory, Erdenali became Coral’s new 2‑1 favourite for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot. However, his connections are keeping their options open because they have several other horses that could contest the same division. Routh mentioned that Samangan could be aimed at the Prix de la Forêt if the ground stays firm, while Rayif is another candidate for the QEII.
She also hinted at a possible trip to Keeneland after Ascot, though the plan may be revisited now that Erdenali has proven his Group One credentials. Ed Walker, speaking about his runner‑up Ten Bob Tony, expressed his pride and excitement, admitting his voice was hoarse from the post‑race interview.
He praised the colt’s season, calling it “amazing” and noting that the horse had stepped up a gear to produce a “huge run.” Walker confessed he felt a little gutted because he believed his horse had been beaten by a “very good horse” and perhaps did not receive the full respect he deserved. The long‑term plan remains the QEII, with a possible Breeders’ Cup campaign thereafter, depending on the horse’s health and form. The article also touched on other notable performances from the meeting. Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini, who had been a favourite for the Epsom Derby before a starting‑gate incident forced his withdrawal, rebounded to claim Classic glory at the Curragh three weeks later.
He later finished a creditable third in the King George at Ascot. Returning from a brief spell, the Frankel‑sired Benvenuto Cellini was expected to target the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but after chasing his stablemate Montreal from the home turn, he faded to fifth place.
The race was ultimately won by Francis‑Henri Graffard’s Varandir, who had previously finished fourth in the Grand Prix de Paris behind William Haggas’s Maltese Cross. Varandir, under jockey Mickaël Barzalona, seized the lead in the final furlong and held on comfortably as the staying‑on horse Alam could not mount a challenge. When asked if his victory was a surprise, Routh replied that it was not entirely unexpected. She explained that Varandir had shown marked improvement since his Group Three win, both mentally and physically, and that the win was a logical progression after a strong performance in Paris.
Following the race, Coral cut Varandir’s odds for the Arc from 40‑1 to 20‑1, positioning him alongside last year’s champion Daryz, who is set to defend his title. Routh reiterated that Varandir is a serious contender for the Arc, noting that the owners are still discussing the final decision with Princess Zahra. She added that having two runners can be advantageous, especially if one draws an unfavorable gate, while the other enjoys a better position.
Overall, the Qatar Prix du Moulin meeting delivered a series of compelling stories, highlighted by Erdenali’s breakthrough Group One triumph, Ten Bob Tony’s continued rise, and Varandir’s affirmation as a top‑class middle‑distance performer. The outcomes will shape the plans of several leading owners and trainers as they map out their campaigns for the remainder of the season, including the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and potential trips to America for the Breeders’ Cup. The racing world will be watching closely to see how these horses develop and which of them will ultimately add more Group One victories to their résumés.