Mehmas's Afandy Dominates the Djebel

Coming into Tuesday's G3 Prix Djebel with two runs already under his belt this year, Al Shaqab's Afandy (Mehmas) made that count as he led from the break to take Deauville's Classic trial.

Already gelded and unable to contest the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained homebred who had surrendered his unbeaten record to the filly Baklawa (Stunning Spirit) in Cagnes-sur-Mer's Listed Prix de la Californie in February showed abundant zest from the outset under Cristian Demuro.

A sitting duck for all the big contenders up the centre of the track, the 10-1 shot was chased to the line by the returning 11-10 favourite Samangan (Blue Point) but refused to buckle en route to a 1 3/4-length success. There was a further two-length margin to another who had been out twice in 2026 in Cielo Di Roma (Romanised) in third.

Afandy, who had won by eight lengths on his sole juvenile start at Tarbes in October and who had returned to win by 5 1/2 lengths at Cagnes-sur-Mer in January, impressed his jockey. “I thought he was a good horse two runs ago and last time the ground was too heavy and he has a lot of speed,” Demuro said. “He's proven he's a good horse today with a good turn of foot. The logical race is the Prix Jean Prat back here in July, but the trainer and owners will work out where he goes.”

Afandy wins the Group 3 Prix Djebel from the front! 👏

A lovely performance in the French 2000 Guineas trial at @fgdeauville as he holds off favourite Samangan… pic.twitter.com/c2ta1rSrSa

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 7, 2026

Pedigree Notes
Afandy is the first foal out of the Jalwa (Shalaa), whose family includes Green Tune's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf and Diana Stakes-winning champion Zagora and the sire Titus Livius. Sold by Al Shaqab for €70,000 when snapped up by Meridian International at the 2024 Arqana December, her two-year-old colt Alpha Lima (Zelzal) was a €6,000 purchase by Ingrid Janackova Koplikova at the Arqana Deauville v2 Yearling Sale. She also has a yearling full-sister to the winner.