ParisLongchamp Racecourse

Sunday Racing Company's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) hero Croix Du Nord (Kitasan Black), not seen since annexing that Classic in June, became the latest Japanese nominee to lay down a marker for next month's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with a narrow victory in Sunday's G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange at ParisLongchamp. "I knew the horse needed the race and I am very happy with the result," said trainer Takashi Saito. "Earlier this week he had not worked so well at Chantilly, so I didn't get much sleep...

Christophe Ferland trainee Double Major (Daiwa Major), who was on the upside of a narrow verdict in last month's G2 Prix Kergorlay, made a successful pitstop and defended his title in Thursday's G3 Prix Gladiateur, remaining on course in his quest to claim an unprecedented third G1 Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud next month. His victory provided owner-breeders Alain and Gerard Wertheimer and rider Maxime Guyon with a clean sweep of ParisLongchamp's three Group races. "This horse is really at his very best during the second part of the season and...

Not seen since snagging July's Listed Prix Roland de Chambure, Alain and Gerard Wertheimer homebred Nighttime (Wootton Bassett) continued on the upgrade with a first pattern-race triumph in Thursday's G3 Prix La Rochette at ParisLongchamp. "Nighttime confirmed today everything he had shown in his previous starts--quality and class," said Christopher Head. "He has the speed to do well over that distance and Wootton Bassett is an amazing sire. Beforehand, it was the intention to go for the [G1] Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and now, more than ever, we want to go....

Fabrice Chappet trainee Safia (Sottsass), a debut scorer at ParisLongchamp in October, opened this year with a TDN Rising Star performance at Saint-Cloud in March and bounced back off a fifth in a hot renewal of April's G3 Prix de la Grotte to secure a career high in Sunday's Listed Prix Melisande at ParisLongchamp. Employing waiting tactics in fifth until turning for home, she careered forward to seize control with 300 metres remaining and was ridden out in the closing stages to defeat Ilda Rosa (Lope De Vega) and La...

Francis Graffard trainee Candelari (Frankel) charted an unusual route to Sunday's G1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at ParisLongchamp and bounced back in style, with Clement Lecoeuvre replacing the suspended Mickael Barzalona in the saddle, after suffering a first reversal in last month's G3 Prix Barbeville. Not only exacting revenge on his Barbeville conquerors Presage Nocturne (Wootton Bassett) and Internaute (Sea The Stars) here, he also put a veritable who's-who of the stayer's division to the sword with a dominant display in this newly elevated 15 1/2-furlong marathon. He had previously collected...

Last month's G1 Prix Ganay hero Sosie (Sea The Stars) justified connections' decision to part with a €18,000 supplementary fee and pounced late to celebrate a hat-trick of Group 1 ParisLongchamp triumphs in Sunday's G1 Prix d'Ispahan at the Bois de Boulogne venue. The 7-10 favourite annexed last year's G1 Grand Prix de Paris and also ran third in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and fourth in the G1 Arc. Sosie winner endured a degree of awkwardness during the opening skirmishes and tracked the leaders in fourth for the...

Juddmonte homebred Sunly (Night Of Thunder) delivered a dominant performance in Sunday's Listed Prix de la Seine, a traditional launching pad for next month's G1 Prix de Diane, at ParisLongchamp. The May-foaled chestnut notched a three-length debut tally at the same venue last month and remained unbeaten with a 2 1/2-length triumph in this return. However, she is not engaged in the Diane but retains an entry in the Chantilly's G3 Prix de Royaumont. The eventual winner, sent postward at odds of 12-5, settled into a comfortable rhythm racing in...