Caballo De Mar snapped Scandinavia's impressive eight‑race winning streak by successfully defending his Qatar Prix du Cadran title from a year earlier, delivering a nail‑biting finish at Longchamp in Paris. The seasoned stayer, trained by George Scott, was expertly guided by jockey Oisin Murphy, who made his move at the final furlong.
Murphy surged ahead of Scandinavia and the weakening early leader Queenstown, taking the lead as the horses entered the home stretch. The two front‑runners then engaged in a fierce duel over the last furlong. Scandinavia managed to retake the advantage, only for Caballo De Mar to rally once more in the final metres, ultimately crossing the line a neck ahead of the favourite. The victory was not without controversy; Ryan Moore, riding the 1‑6 favourite Scandinavia, lodged an objection, alleging that his mount had been bumped by the 9‑2 winner near the finish.
Stewards conducted an inquiry, but ultimately upheld Caballo De Mar's result. Scandinavia arrived at the race with a résumé that included five Group One triumphs, underscoring the magnitude of Caballo De Mar's achievement.
The Scott‑trained horse has now secured three Group One wins in a row in Paris, cementing his reputation as a formidable long‑distance contender. After the race, George Scott praised his charge, saying, "What an amazing performance from the horse and the team at home.
I was very emotional afterwards – he's just such a special horse to us, and to win the Cadran again is fantastic. He's an incredible animal and a real character. He can be a handful at the stables, very lazy, and it takes a lot of patience to keep him focused." Scott also explained his tactical approach, noting that he had always believed his horse had a genuine chance of beating the red‑hot favourite. "We wanted to sit close to Scandinavia and everything went according to plan.
We managed to settle right behind him and then Caballo De Mar fought back when the moment came," he said. The Newmarket trainer added that the conditions suited his horse perfectly. "I thought today was the perfect opportunity because Caballo De Mar loves this track. He was showing all the right signs in training, and Scandinavia had a very tough run in Ireland last time.
We felt we could turn the tables, although you never want to say that out loud," Scott explained. Looking ahead, he hinted at a possible future target: "We'll see how he recovers, but a run at Ascot on Champions Day could be on the cards." Aidan O'Brien, the trainer of Scandinavia, offered his perspective on the runner‑up's performance. "He ran a great race and it's been a long season for him. The ground was a little on the slower side for his style, and Ryan mentioned that the horse was coming back at him in the final stages.
That will likely be his last run of the season. I wasn't planning to take him to Ascot because the ground there would probably be too firm for him by then," O'Brien commented. The outcome of the Cadran adds a new chapter to the ongoing rivalry between these two top‑class stayers. Caballo De Mar's back‑to‑back victories in the Qatar Prix du Cadran highlight his consistency over extended distances, while Scandinavia's record of five Group One wins this year underscores his elite status.
Both trainers emphasized the importance of managing their horses' temperaments and training regimes. Scott described Caballo De Mar as "lazy" and "hard to grip," requiring a delicate balance of firm guidance and patience to extract his best performance. O'Brien, meanwhile, noted that Scandinavia had endured a grueling campaign, with the softer ground in Paris perhaps not playing to his strengths. The race also sparked discussion among racing analysts about the future of long‑distance contests in Europe.
With Caballo De Mar now three‑for‑three in Group One events at Longchamp, many are speculating whether he could become a dominant force in upcoming spring festivals, potentially targeting the prestigious Gold Cup at Ascot. For fans following the sport, the result reinforces the unpredictable nature of stayers' races, where a well‑timed run and a bit of tactical savvy can overturn even the most dominant form lines.
The stewards' decision to uphold Caballo De Mar's win, despite the objection, also highlights the fine margins that separate victory from defeat in top‑level racing. Overall, the Parisian showdown provided a thrilling spectacle for spectators and a valuable lesson in racecraft for trainers and jockeys alike. Caballo De Mar's resilience, combined with Oisin Murphy's decisive riding, ensured a memorable victory that will be remembered as a defining moment in the 2024 staying season.
The race also serves as a reminder that even the most favored horses, like Scandinavia, can be vulnerable when faced with a determined challenger in the right conditions. Looking ahead, both connections will now turn their attention to upcoming targets.
Scott hinted at a possible appearance at Ascot's Champions Day, while O'Brien may opt to give Scandinavia a well‑earned rest before deciding on his final campaign plans. As the season progresses, racing enthusiasts will be watching closely to see whether Caballo De Mar can maintain his winning streak or if Scandinavia will bounce back to reclaim his position at the top of the staying ranks. For the latest updates, interviews, and in‑depth features on horse racing, stay tuned to Sky Sports Racing and follow the ongoing storylines that shape the sport.