Caballo De Mar halted Scandinavia's impressive eight‑race winning streak by replicating his victory in the Qatar Prix du Cadran a year after his previous triumph, delivering a dramatic finish at Longchamp in Paris. The seasoned stayer, trained by George Scott, was expertly guided by jockey Oisin Murphy, who made a decisive move at the final furlong to overtake both Scandinavia and the fading early leader, Queenstown. As the two front‑runners battled fiercely down the home stretch, Scandinavia briefly reclaimed the lead, only for Caballo De Mar to rally in the final meters, edging his rival by a narrow neck as they crossed the line. The close finish prompted a stewards' inquiry after Ryan Moore lodged an objection, claiming that his mount, the 1‑6 favourite Scandinavia, had been bumped by the eventual 9‑2 winner near the finish.
The officials ultimately upheld the result, confirming Caballo De Mar as the victor. Scandinavia entered the race on the back of a remarkable run that included five Group One victories, establishing him as the dominant long‑distance horse of the season.
Yet George Scott's contender proved a formidable adversary, especially on Parisian turf where he has now secured three Group One wins from three attempts. After the race, Scott praised his horse and the support team, 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 great. 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 that his horse could challenge the hot favourite. He explained his tactics, noting that they intended to track Scandinavia and then make a late surge.
"We wanted to track Scandinavia and it all went to plan. We managed to get well up on him and then he fought back," he said. He added that Caballo De Mar thrives on the Longchamp course, which gave him confidence that the race presented a genuine opportunity to upset the odds.
"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're not going to say something like that," Scott remarked. Looking ahead, Scott hinted at future possibilities, suggesting that Caballo De Mar could be aimed at the Ascot Champions Day meeting later in the season.
"We'll see how he comes out of it, but he could go to Ascot on Champions Day," he said, underscoring the horse's potential for further top‑level success. 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," O'Brien observed.
He noted that the ground at Longchamp was a bit slower than ideal for Scandinavia, which may have contributed to the narrow defeat. "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 Ascot as the ground would definitely be gone for him by then," O'Brien concluded. The race itself was a masterclass in endurance racing, showcasing the tactical acumen of both trainers and jockeys.
Caballo De Mar's ability to settle behind the pace, then accelerate with a powerful turn of foot in the final furlong, highlighted his stamina and adaptability. Meanwhile, Scandinavia demonstrated why he had been the favourite, maintaining a strong position throughout and only faltering in the very last strides.
The stewards' inquiry added a layer of drama to an already electrifying finish. Ryan Moore's objection centered on a perceived bump from Caballo De Mar as they approached the line. After reviewing the footage, officials determined that any contact was incidental and did not affect the outcome, allowing the original result to stand.
This decision was met with mixed reactions from the racing community, with some praising the thoroughness of the review and others questioning whether the interference had been fully considered. Beyond the immediate aftermath, the result reshapes the long‑distance racing landscape for the remainder of the season.
Caballo De Mar's back‑to‑back victories in the Qatar Prix du Cadran and now the French edition cement his status as a leading stayer on the European circuit. His success also highlights George Scott's training expertise, particularly in preparing horses for the unique challenges of French turf courses.
For Scandinavia, the defeat does not diminish an otherwise stellar campaign. His string of Group One wins, including victories in prestigious events such as the Irish St. Leger and the British Gold Cup, affirms his place among the elite stayers of his generation.
Aidan O'Brien indicated that the horse will likely retire at the end of the season, with plans to transition him to a breeding career, where his proven stamina and class will be highly valued. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as both horses prepare for their next engagements. Caballo De Mar's potential appearance at Ascot could set up a showdown with other top stayers, while Scandinavia's final race may serve as a farewell tribute to a remarkable career. The broader racing community can stay updated on the latest developments, interviews, and expert analysis through Sky Sports Racing and other dedicated platforms, ensuring that enthusiasts never miss a story from the world of horse racing.