Caballo De Mar snapped Scandinavia's impressive eight‑race winning streak by replicating his triumph in the Qatar Prix du Cadran from a year earlier, delivering a nail‑biting finish at ParisLongchamp. The seasoned stayer owned by George Scott was expertly guided by jockey Oisin Murphy, who surged forward at the final furlong to wrest the lead from Scandinavia and the dwindling front‑runner Queenstown.
In the closing stages the two rivals battled fiercely, with Scandinavia briefly reclaiming the advantage before Caballo De Mar rallied in the shadow of the finish line, edging out the favourite by a neck. The victory was not without controversy; a stewards' inquiry followed an objection lodged by Ryan Moore, whose mount Scandinavia—sent off at odds of 1‑6—appeared to have been bumped by the 9‑2 winner in the final strides.
Scandinavia's recent résumé boasts five Group One victories, underscoring the magnitude of Caballo De Mar's achievement. The latter has now secured three Group One wins in a row in Paris, a testament to his class and the skill of his connections.
After the race, Scott praised his horse, 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 amazing horse and a real character.
He takes a lot of managing at home, he's very lazy and it's hard to get a grip on him." Scott had been confident before the race, believing his colt could challenge the red‑hot favourite. "We wanted to track Scandinavia and everything went to plan.
We managed to get well up on him and then he fought back," he explained. He added that the conditions suited his horse perfectly: "I thought if there was an opportunity to beat him it was today because my horse loves it here.
He was showing all the right signs and Scandinavia had a very hard race in Ireland last time. We felt we could beat him today, but you never say that out loud. We'll see how he comes out of it, but he could go to Ascot on Champions Day." Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Scandinavia, offered his perspective on the outcome.
"He ran a great race and it's been a long season for him," O'Brien said. "The ground was a little bit on the slower side for him. Ryan said he was coming back at him. That will be him finished for the season.
I was never going to go to Ascet because the ground would definitely be gone for him by then." The race itself was a masterclass in long‑distance tactics. Caballo De Mar, known for his powerful finishing kick, settled mid‑pack early on, conserving energy while the pacemakers set a steady tempo. As the field approached the final two furlongs, Queenstown, who had led for much of the race, began to tire, allowing Scandinavia to surge forward.
Murphy, sensing the moment, angled his mount to the outside, finding a clear lane and accelerating with a burst of speed that caught Scandinavia off guard. The duel between the two horses was reminiscent of classic stayers' battles, with each horse displaying a blend of stamina, courage, and tactical acumen. Spectators at Longchamp were treated to a dramatic finish that will be remembered for years, especially given the high stakes and the presence of top‑class contenders. Beyond the immediate drama, the result has broader implications for the European staying calendar.
Caballo De Mar's victory positions him as a leading contender for upcoming major long‑distance events, including the prestigious Ascot Gold Cup on Champions Day. His proven ability to repeat at the highest level in Paris suggests he can handle different ground conditions and travel well, qualities prized by trainers targeting the season's marquee staying races. For Scandinavia, the defeat marks the end of an extraordinary campaign.
Despite the loss, his record of five Group One wins this year cements his status as one of the era's premier stayers. Trainer Aidan O'Brien will now assess his horse's condition and decide whether to retire him at the season's end or aim for a final appearance at Ascot, depending on how the ground evolves. The race also highlighted the strategic brilliance of jockey Oisin Murphy, whose split‑second decisions in the final furlong proved decisive. Murphy's ability to time his move, navigate through a tightening field, and maintain composure under pressure underscores why he is among the sport's elite riders.
Fans and pundits alike will be dissecting the stewards' inquiry for weeks, debating whether the contact between the two horses altered the outcome. While the officials ultimately upheld the result, the incident adds another layer of intrigue to an already compelling narrative. Overall, Caballo De Mar's triumph over Scandinavia not only halted a dominant winning streak but also reinforced the unpredictable and thrilling nature of top‑level staying races. As the season progresses, enthusiasts can look forward to more high‑stakes contests, with Caballo De Mar now firmly in the spotlight as a horse capable of delivering unforgettable performances on the grandest stages of European racing.