Sajir excelled in Deauville to give master trainer Andre Fabre a first success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.
A winner of the Abernant Stakes in Newmarket earlier in the season, the mountain of Oisin Murphy was somewhat incompetent with Jerome Reynier’s Royal Ascot Hero Lazzat a tough favorite to defend the crown he wore 12 months ago.
James Doyle had tried to keep things easy by sending his mountain forward, but a furlong from home came the challengers on either side with the eye drawn to Murphy on board Sajir.
Lazzat could no longer give it and it was left to Sajir to rise to Glory, with the title defender an honorable second and Francis-Henri Graffard’s Prix Jean Prat winner Woodshauna a fast final third party.
Fabre said: “This is the first time I had 100 percent, he was in good condition.
“Prince Faisal is a great breeder, a great owner and a great person.”
The son of Prince Faisal’s Make Believe now seems to be ready for an appearance in Parislongchamp on Arc Weekend, with Fabre adding: “Just like his father, the Prix de la Foret will be his path.”
It was Murphy’s Third Group One Win of the Year after the locking victory of Lead Artist and Strike Aboard Tornado Alert in Germany recently.
He was pleased to pay a successful visit to the Normandy coast to reclaim the mountain on Sajir and said: “He was brilliant today. Andre had him looking for and he traveled beautifully for me.
“He relaxed very well. I was a little bit behind, but I was not trying to get too fast.
“I think the horse improved 7 pounds in any form he had shown before and has delivered it.
“Today he changed his leads and was driven to the line. The way he bends his knee, he feels like a horse that will handle that juice. I am so happy for Prince Faisal.”
In the meantime, Reynier has his sights on an ascot-backing for lazzat who have felt the circumstances, may have been too fast for his four-year-old star.
He said: “James Doyle felt that he could not let the horse relax. We will check the tracking data, but he felt that the horse did too much and used too much energy.
“He had a flat place – something that rarely happens – but still picked up again for fighting and becoming second.
“It would be more comfortable on slightly softer terrain and today it was still a bit sturdy. Autumn is coming and for him the target will be the Champions Sprint at Ascot, as we know he likes to go easier.
“It is a shame to lose the crown, but we are honest and square. Sajir is a very good horse and now it’s up to him to confirm.
“Initially we thought about running the Prix de la Foret and then the Champions Sprint Stakes, but James Doyle thinks we should not stretch it too much, or he may be surpassed even more than today.”
Graffard could also look to visit Britain with Woodshauna, with Haydock a possibility for the Colt that has the colors of the resolute racing company of John Stewart.
Graffard said: “Woodshauna produced a great bend of foot – he ran really well. He has a lot of speed and Christophe (Soumillon) thinks this is as far as he stays.
“Woodshauna is entered in the Sprint Cup at Haydock. That is an option. I will discuss it with the owner and Christophe, who now knows him well.”
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