Longchamp

To the casual observer at Longchamp on Thursday evening there would not have appeared to be too much wrong with French racing. A lively, sell-out crowd of 10,000 was on course for two reasons: top-class horse racing and an after-party which shimmered through to the small hours while the Eiffel Tower sparkled in the distance.  The 'JeuXdi' initiative of post-racing DJ sets is not new. For some years now Thursday nights at France's flagship track have been filled with young revellers. The difference this week was that for the first...

The Prix d'Ispahan will be renamed the Prix Aga Khan IV as a tribute to the significant contribution made to racing and breeding by His Highness the Aga Khan IV, who died in February 2025, France Galop announced on Thursday. This particular race has been chosen in homage to the historic link between the Aga Khan dynasty and ancient Persia. The Prix d'Ispahan, first run in 1873, was intended to honour an official visit by the Shah of Persia to Paris, with the race name being a reference to the...

"The greatest gift a breeder could have." That was how the late HH Aga Khan IV described his unbeaten masterpiece Zarkava. How fitting then, that months after the retirement of the 20-year-old daughter of Zamindar and the sad passing of her owner-breeder, Zarkava's granddaughter Zarigana, herself out of the Listed winner Zarkamiya (Frankel) and by the Aga Khan Studs' homebred French champion sire Siyouni, should pick up the baton.  In giving her breeder a seventh victory in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Zarigana continues this line of extraordinary success for...

PARIS, France -- "Where's Charlie?" The reaction of Francis Graffard, looking for Charlie Fellowes to commiserate before celebrating his own good fortune in being awarded the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, spoke volumes. Not only for the decency of the winning trainer but for the extreme awkwardness surrounding the prolonged stewards' enquiry and ultimate outcome. One man's gain, another's pain. In the case of the demoted Shes Perfect it was not, however, just one man's pain. Almost 60 syndicate owners had joined manager Basher Watts on the pilgrimage to Longchamp in...

Thursday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 17:13, PRIX DU PONT NEUF-Listed, €55,000, 3yo, 7fT Field: Zalari (Fr) (Kodiac {GB}), Burhan (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), Tolebi (Fr) (Golden Horde {Ire}), Libyan Pharoah (Fr) (American Pharoah), Afogado (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Champagne Powder (Fr) (Kodiac {GB}), Blue Island (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Epson Blue Cen (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). TDN Verdict: In an open renewal of this low-key stepping stone, Paul and Oliver Cole's British raider Champagne Powder has solid claims, despite his status as a three-race maiden. The G1 Poule d'Essai...

There may still be Punchestown to come of the major jumps festivals this year but on Sunday the focus of Henry de Bromhead will be firmly on the Flat and a possible first Group 1 triumph. Higher Leaves (Ire), one of six horses confirmed for the G1 Prix Ganay at the latest stage, returns to Longchamp where she won the Listed Prix de Liancourt last September before following up in the G3 Prix Fille de l'Air in Toulouse.  The four-year-old daughter of Golden Horn (GB) was just one of a...

Tuesday, Deauville, France, post time: 15:05, PRIX DJEBEL-G3, €80,000, 3yo, c/g, 7fT Field: Woodshauna (Fr) (Wooded {Ire}), Arabie (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Dynamitic (GB) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Rosapenna (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Tiego The First (Fr) (Blue Point {Ire}), Maranoa Charlie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Le Roi Rene (Fr) (Ribchester {Ire}) and Silius (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). TDN Verdict: This longstanding trial for either the 2,000 Guineas or the domestic equivalent revolves around last year's sensation Maranoa Charlie, who after flaunting freakish ability on his first three starts spectacularly came undone...

Following Monday's confirmation stage, 18 horses remain in contention for Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, including the three-year-old Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who has topped the ante-post betting since registering his second consecutive victory over the course and distance in the G2 Prix Niel. He also won the G1 Grand Prix de Paris on his previous start. Sosie is one of three potential runners for Andre Fabre, who will be seeking a record-extending ninth win in the Arc. Fabre is also set to...

A majority interest in Qatar Prix du Jockey Club winner Look De Vega (Fr) has been purchased by Ballylinch Stud in association with Al Shaqab Racing. A son of Ballylinch sire Lope De Vega (Ire), Look De Vega is as short as 4-1 for the Prix de lArc de Triomphe and will continue his racing career in the colours of Al Shaqab Racing. He will retire to Ballylinch at the end of his racing career to stand alongside his world-famous sire.  John O'Connor, managing director of Ballylinch Stud, commented, "We...

In a delightful book of reflective essays, frequent TDN contributor Mark Cramer leads readers on 39 bicycling day trips through the environs of Paris, his adopted home. Inspired by Henry David Thoreau's daily walks in nature, Cramer pedals through forests, along rivers, and into French towns, each trek prompting fresh reflections on the environment, economic growth, simplicity, and well-being. His key takeaway: A life of adventure is well within reach, locally. We need only travel lightly, observe with eyes of wonder, and be open to surprise encounters. Day Seven: Longchamp...

Anyone familiar with the French TV series Lupin, which was inspired by gentleman thief Arsène Lupin, would be forgiven for thinking that stealing the dam of Sunday's French 2,000 Guineas winner Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) for just €16,000 would be even too far removed from storyline material.  Breaking into the Louvre museum in Paris and walking out with the Mona Lisa under your arm would be easier than buying the Galileo (Ire) mare who would produce a subsequent Classic winner for just €16,000, but that's exactly what Duncan...

Hollie Doyle will maintain the partnership with The Platinum Queen (Ire) as the pair bid to follow up on their brilliant Prix de l'Abbaye success with victory at the Breeders' Cup. Oisin Orr, who joined The Platinum Queen's trainer Richard Fahey earlier this year, does most of the work with the speedster. However, Orr was unable to do the weight about the daughter of Cotai Glory (GB) in France. With the Middleham Park Racing-owned youngster set to carry just 8st 7lb in the Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland, the Irishman...