Bred in France and trained in England, Maltese Cross triumphs at ParisLongchamp

PRESS RELEASE                                                                            Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Cygames Grand Prix de Paris

Bred in France and trained in England, Maltese Cross triumphs at ParisLongchamp

What a battle unfolded in the closing stages of the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris, the Group 1 highlight of the meeting held at ParisLongchamp on Tuesday, 14 July! Maltese Cross caught Ancient Egypt in the very final strides. Having set the pace, Ancient Egypt had bravely fended off the challenges of the two French-trained runners, Alam and Varandir, before finally yielding to the late surge of William Haggas’s charge, owned by George Waud. The margins reflect the intensity of the finish: a head separated the first two, followed by just a neck and a head between the second-, third- and fourth-placed horses.

Maltese Cross came into the race following a second-place finish in the Epsom Derby. Although trained in England, he was bred in Normandy by Écurie du Sud—Christiane Rossi and her husband Jacques, who passed away last November—and Jean-François Gribomont. Maltese Cross was sold for €200,000 at Arqana as a foal. One year later, as a yearling, he was purchased at Tattersalls for 350,000 guineas by his current owner.

Official result

CYGAMES GRAND PRIX DE PARIS

1ST MALTESE CROSS

2ND ANCIENT EGYPT

3RD ALAM

Time: 2:24.79 – Margins: HEAD – NECK – HEAD

Connections’ comments

George Waud (owner of Maltese Cross, 1st) – Great Britain

“It was quite stressful, but I could see that Tom [Marquand, his jockey, Ed.] was looking for a gap. He found one, and I thought it was probably too late. But what a turn of foot he showed at the finish! He literally made up two lengths in no time at all. What a horse!”

Tom Marquand (jockey of Maltese Cross, 1st) – Great Britain

“He is a magnificent horse and travelled extremely well throughout the race. I probably found myself one position farther back than I had expected, which then meant I had to look for a gap. He was a little slow to respond when it was time to quicken, so I could not move up ahead of the horse on his outside as I would have liked.

“In the end, I went through the middle, which suited him perfectly, even though it made things a little tight.

“He is a genuinely top-class horse and certainly has no shortage of speed over 2,400 metres. I think he showed that very clearly today, and that was already the impression he had given me in the trial at Lingfield. He finished second in the Derby and is now a Group 1 winner. His next task will be to take on the older horses.”

Charlie Johnston (trainer of Ancient Egypt, 2nd) – Great Britain

“I am very proud of my horse, and I could not understand why the bettors had overlooked him to such an extent. He came very close to winning and was only headed in the very final stride. In the straight, when he quickened and opened up a two-length lead, I could not really see anything making up much ground at that stage.

“When Varandir drew alongside him 200 metres from the finish, I thought we might end up third or fourth. But this horse is incredibly tough, as he had already shown at Ascot. He tried to repel every challenge and very nearly succeeded. But that is racing.

“We have given him a demanding campaign, but he has improved with every run. I thought he looked absolutely magnificent today. As for the next step, I do not yet know exactly what it will be. We will discuss it with the team and see which direction they would like to take. But he will win one of these major races eventually.

“I know the team is very keen on the Champion Stakes at the end of the season, although my concern would be the likely state of the ground at that time of year. He has clearly shown that he is a very good 2,400-metre horse on fast ground and, ideally, I would like to continue giving him those conditions. I would not rule out giving him a short break now before targeting a race such as the Breeders’ Cup.”

Mikel Delzangles (trainer of Alam, 3rd) – Chantilly Training Centre

“Pierre-Charles Boudot [his jockey, Ed.] told me that he was very pleased with him and that the horse had performed well, although he was still a little slow to react when the pace quickened. He did not give way and kept going all the way to the line.

“Personally, before the race, I thought he looked better than he had before the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club—not fitter, but more mature—and he should continue to improve. I do not think we will see him again this summer. He will most likely be aimed at the Qatar Prix Niel (Gr2, 6 September, ParisLongchamp).”