The three assets of trainer Francis-Henri Graffard

Already the winner of ten Group 1 races this year—the highest level in horse racing—including seven in France, and currently leading the French trainers' rankings (trainer whose horses have earned the most prize money this year), Francis-Henri Graffard has the rare opportunity to field three runners in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe this Sunday, October 5.

Based at the Chantilly training center managed by France Galop, the professional has yet to win the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, widely regarded as a World Cup final for thoroughbreds.

His contenders are Daryz (Sea the Stars), representing the Aga Khan Studs, Gezora (Almanzor), bred in Normandy by Haras d’Etreham and owned by American Peter Brant (White Birch Farm), and Quisisana (Le Havre), owned by her breeder, Haras de la Perelle, a Normandy-based structure belonging to German owner Jürgen Winter.

With these three top-class horses, Graffard is eyeing a maiden victory in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Francis-Henri Graffard discussed the chances of his trio during a press conference held by France Galop on Tuesday late morning.

QUOTES

Daryz: immature but talented

"Daryz is a colt we've always held in high regard, and we believed he was the best three-year-old colt among the Aga Khan Studs’ horses. But he’s still mentally tender and physically very imposing, which is why we chose not to run him in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club or the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris (Group 1s). To give him experience, I decided to send him to York for the Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1). Unfortunately, the race was compromised by a pacemaker who went off too fast. I was disappointed by his performance.

We then chose to run him in the Prix du Prince d’Orange, where he ran very well, finishing a close second to the Japanese horse Croix du Nord. That performance earned him the right to line up in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with a legitimate chance. One of his main assets is his turn of foot.

His pedigree suggests that he’ll handle the 2,400-meter distance, which he will be attempting for the first time. A soft track won’t be an issue for him either. Back in June, he beat Bay City Roller in the Prix Eugène Adam (Group 2); that horse later finished second in the Qatar Prix Niel (Group 2), which is a strong form line. His main weakness remains his lack of maturity. In a big field, he could become tense. He will be ridden by Mickaël Barzalona, the retained jockey for the Aga Khan silks."

Gezora will give it her all again!

"Gezora joined my stable last winter. She’s a light filly, not particularly flashy in the mornings. Her win in the Auguste Rodin Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Group 2) came as a surprise. That day, she produced a phenomenal turn of foot.

Next, we ran her in the Prix de Diane Longines (Group 1) without any pressure. We had nothing to lose. She showed great courage to win. After that, she had a three-week break, and we targeted a comeback in the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Group 1). She wasn’t quite 100% fit yet, but still ran very well, finishing second to Aventure, who is now the current favourite for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. That was an excellent return to competition!

Her strengths include her suitability for the 2,400-meter distance, her tactical versatility during a race, and the weight allowance for three-year-old fillies. She’s in great form and will give her best. A soft track won’t bother her. She will be ridden by English jockey Tom Marquand, who’ll be aboard for the first time, but she’s easy to handle, so I’m not concerned."

The freshness of Quisisana

"Quisisana is a magnificent mare, a real force of nature. Unfortunately, she had some health issues that kept her off the track for parts of her three- and four-year-old seasons. I’ve always thought very highly of her, and her owner, Mr. Winter, agreed to keep her in training at five.

She repaid that faith by winning the Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet (Group 1) comfortably—one of the races in the Arc Races program—which earned her a wildcard entry into the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Quisisana will relish the 2,400-meter trip. She’s in top condition. That said, I hope the ground won’t be too testing, as that would blunt her turn of foot, which is her main asset. Given her long stride, she needs room to operate during a race, so we’d rather she not get boxed in during a slow-run contest. She will be ridden by Alexis Pouchin, who has partnered her before."

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.