An “all-Chantilly” podium in the Qatar Prix Niel
An “all-Chantilly” podium in the Qatar Prix Niel
French-trained Varandir, racing in the prestigious Aga Khan colours, won the Qatar Prix Niel (Group 2), a trial for the upcoming Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) reserved for three-year-olds. He thus recorded his second Group-race victory, following his success in the Prix Hocquart (Group 3) earlier in the season. The colt came into the race having finished fourth in the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris (Group 1) on 14 July over the same course and distance.
On Sunday, the race was led by the Irish-trained Montreal, who still held a lead of several lengths over the rest of the field in the closing stages. Fifth entering the home straight, Varandir set off in pursuit halfway down the straight before taking the lead 100 metres from the winning post. He prevailed by one and a quarter lengths over the French-trained Alam, who came through on the inside to take second place, while Pearled Majesty completed an all-Chantilly podium.
Thanks to his victory in the Qatar Prix Niel, one of the races in the Arc Races series, Varandir earns a Wild Card for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Already entered in the race, he will benefit from the scheme introduced by France Galop: the entry fees already paid will be refunded. Varandir also has other options, as he is entered in the Qatar Prix Dollar (Group 2, 1,950 metres) and the Qatar Prix Chaudenay (Group 2, 3,000 metres), two races staged at ParisLongchamp on the eve of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Trained at Chantilly by Francis-Henri Graffard, Varandir was bred and is owned by the Aga Khan Studs. They had not won the race since Behkabad in 2010. For Francis-Henri Graffard, this was a first victory in the Qatar Prix Niel.
Official result
QATAR PRIX NIEL
1st VARANDIR (M. Barzalona)
2nd ALAM (P.-C. Boudot)
3rd PEARLED MAJESTY (C. Soumillon)
Time: 2’25’’70. Distances: 5/4 – 1 – 2.
Reactions from the connections
Nemone Routh, racing manager in France for the Aga Khan Studs, breeders and owners of Varandir (1st), Chantilly (Oise):
“It’s not really a surprise. We were already very pleased with Varandir’s performance in the Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1), because we really felt that he had taken a big step forward from his Group 3 victory, when he had been very, very laid-back. He only came through right at the very end. In the Grand Prix de Paris, on the other hand, he was able to get involved in the race and he was the one who made all the effort to go after the victory before flattening out a little. I think that since his Group 3 victory, he has really progressed, both mentally and physically. Obviously, I couldn’t say before the race that we were going to beat the winner of the Irish Derby (Group 1), but we were confident in our horse’s potential. The Arc could be next. He is entered and we need to discuss it with the Princess to find out what she would like to do. But I think it is a possibility, because he deserves his chance. He is an entire horse [not gelded, Editor’s note] by one of our own stallions, Zarak. I think he is still improving, so why not? If the ground were to become very soft, I don’t think it would be a problem for him. I think he handles all types of ground. We saw him a little tense before the race, but that’s just him. He has improved in that respect. He is always a little stressed before and after his races, but, once again, he is improving.”
Mikel Delzangles, trainer of Alam (2nd), Chantilly (Oise):
“Alam has made a very good comeback. We were beaten by a good horse, in any case. We know there isn’t much between the two of them. I’m very pleased with his run in the straight and very pleased with his attitude. If he recovers well from his comeback, he may well run in the big race. If the ground is good to soft, it won’t be a disadvantage for him. He handles all types of ground.”
Mauricio Delcher Sanchez, trainer and co-owner of Pearled Majesty (3rd), Chantilly (Oise):
“It was a strong race. When the stalls opened, we were hoping to sit behind the leader, but things didn’t really work out that way. He pulled throughout the race because he needs a strong pace. The leader did his job, but nobody followed him behind. Despite that, Pearled Majesty managed to get a breather before quickening in the home straight. His jockey Christophe Soumillon looked after him. Before the race, we had several possibilities for what comes next: the Arc, the Champion Stakes, or races in the Middle East a little later in the year. We need to see how he recovers, but I’m not really worried. It doesn’t close any doors; on the contrary, it only opens all of them. I’m certain the ground wasn’t ideal for him and that he will prefer softer ground. We are really pleased with his performance.”
30 days to the Arc – Qatar Arc Trials day, the last chance to secure a ticket!
One month before the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, on Sunday 6 September at ParisLongchamp, the Qatar Arc Trials will give the winners of these three major trial races (Qatar Prix Vermeille, Qatar Prix Niel and Qatar Prix Foy) an automatic Wild Card, allowing them to line up in the Arc.
The entry fee will be refunded to the winners of the Qatar Arc Trials. More importantly, if they are not already entered, these horses will benefit from a free supplementary entry worth €120,000.