QATAR PRIX DE LA FORÊT - Maranoa Charlie doubles up in the Forêt for young trainer Christopher Head

True to his usual style, Maranoa Charlie (Wootton Bassett) made his own pace — and from start to finish, with impressive ease, he captured the Qatar Prix de la Forêt over the tricky 1,400 metres of ParisLongchamp.

For his young Chantilly-based trainer Christopher Head, it marked a second consecutive win in the race, following Ramatuelle’s (Justify) triumph last year.

Ridden patiently, the Aga Khan Studs’ filly Zarigana (Siyouni) produced an excellent finishing run to secure a clear second without ever threatening the authority of the winner, while Ten Bob Tony (Night of Thunder) filled third place.

The official result

QATAR PRIX DE LA FORÊT

1st MARANOA CHARLIE (Aurélien Lemaître)

2nd ZARIGANA (Mickaël Barzalona)

3rd TEN BOB TONY (Kieran Shoemark)

Time: 1’20’’80 — Margins: 1¼ – 1½ – head

Quotes from connections 

Christopher Head, trainer of Maranoa Charlie (1st), Chantilly (France)

“This is our second straight win in the race after Ramatuelle last year. Maranoa Charlie is an incredible horse. He handles all types of ground and can perform over a range of distances, even up to a mile. He kept improving throughout his two-year-old season and again in his transition from two to three. He had run very well abroad, and I’m delighted he’s finally got his Group 1 win.

He’s shown both class and speed. He’s quite capable of staying a mile next year, but we need to discuss things with his owner — with Wootton Bassett gone, he carries a certain legacy, so he could potentially stand at stud in 2026.

He’s got a tremendous rhythm; he simply drains his rivals. All season long, he’s proved he doesn’t need to go flat out early — he can build into his races. We’ll talk with his owner about the next step. He could be tried over further, since he’s shown he can settle behind a lead and finish strongly, but I’m not sure he’ll get the chance.

He’s got the profile to win over a mile in the U.S., as he breaks sharply and has great cruising speed. But we’ll have to see what a Breeders’ Cup victory, for instance, could bring to his future as a stallion.”

Charlie Bond, owner of Maranoa Charlie (1st)

“The stud duties can wait. There’s been a lot of excitement before the race, so I’ll probably switch my phone off tonight and see what awaits us tomorrow morning regarding his future.

When buying a horse with Group 1 potential, our confidence comes from studying the pedigree first, then looking at the races — what he’s won, analysing the form, and time is very important to us. The last two horses we bought, including this one — an absolute phenomenon — ticked every box.”

Francis Graffard, trainer of Zarigana (2nd), Chantilly (France)

“She’s an extraordinary filly. She travels so easily — you really think she’s going to win. She’s a big filly with a beautiful stride and a perfect run. But with Zarigana, you always have to bluff her a bit.

Mickaël showed a lot of nerve — waiting, waiting, waiting — that’s her style. You think she’s going to get there, but you have to trick her right to the end. She’s a tricky filly to ride, but this was a very good performance. When she jumps from the stalls like that, you can’t help but hope she’s going to fly.”

Ed Walker, trainer of Ten Bob Tony (3rd), Great Britain

“He’s a spectacular horse, isn’t he? I’m very proud of him, especially after the disappointment at Doncaster. He really bounced back. He’s only run three times this year — one that didn’t go right, and two very solid performances. You can’t be unhappy with a third and a fourth place.

Simon Sadler is now a major investor in racing. He’s got some very good horses — Qilin Queen ran well today, though she couldn’t quicken on this ground. She won the Malleret here. He’s got a terrific string and he deserves his success — he trusts us completely.

We’re thrilled for him. Fourteen hundred metres is a tricky distance. If I had to choose between six furlongs and a mile, I’d probably go for the mile. He’s entered in the Champion Sprint, but that might come a bit soon for him. Australia could be an option — maybe next spring. I believe there’s a big seven-furlong race there, right? Yes, very well-endowed. And William Haggas has won it!”

QREC, the official partner of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

The QREC was established in the early 1960s before achieving official recognition in 1975. It is mandated with representing, promoting and advancing equine and equestrian initiatives, from grassroots programmes to the international arena. Focused on equestrian sport and horse welfare, the QREC is dedicated to promoting Qatar as a world class hub for horse racing and a leader in the Pure Arabian breed.

The QREC works in collaboration with local bodies dedicated to achieving excellence in planning, regulation and the development of Qatar’s racing industry to reflect the world's best practices. The QREC has been partner of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe since 2008, and from 2022, it also became the title partner of the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, one of the most important races for the selection of the breed.