Francis Graffard had the kind of afternoon most trainers only dream about. At 3:25 p.m., his Adlerflug colt Goliath secured the Grosser Preis von Baden (Gr.1) in Germany. Barely half an hour later, back home in Paris, he was back in the winner’s enclosure—this time celebrating a narrow but thrilling success in the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Gr.1) with Sahlan (Wootton Bassett). Two Group 1s, two different countries, all in the space of twenty-five minutes.

The Moulin was decided in a dramatic blanket finish. The Lion In Winter (Sea The Stars) had taken over from Alcantor (New Bay) and looked a strong danger when Sahlan surged to the front under Mickael Barzalona. But the closing strides brought high drama: the British challenger Rosallion (Blue Point) charged late and fast, only to fall agonizingly short—beaten a short head at the wire. Ireland’s big hope, Henri Matisse (Wootton Bassett), never landed a blow and finished a flat fifth.

The difference came in the details. Sahlan straightened and quickened cleanly, while Rosallion drifted off line before finding his rhythm—a costly lapse that left him with too much to do.

Official result – Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Gr.1)

• 1. Sahlan (M. Barzalona)
• 2. Rosallion (S. Levey)
• 3. The Lion In Winter (W.M. Lordan)

Time: 1’35’’39 – Margins: Short head, neck, ½ length

What they said

Francis Graffard, trainer of Sahlan:
“It’s fantastic. He’s a horse I’ve always liked. We’ve had some tricky moments with him, but when things don’t go right, you have to know how to sit tight. By supplementing him today, I took a risk, especially since his owners had already turned down some big offers. But I told them we would win a Group 1 with him, even if maybe not this year… I insisted they keep him and not sell him right away. (…) Sometimes you have to take risks. I’m over the moon; he has such a powerful turn of foot! Not long ago, if I had said I’d win the Moulin, people would have thought I was crazy… but the owners’ trust really helped. I also want to congratulate my team, who have done an extraordinary job. Now, I’m thinking of the Breeders’ Cup Mile for him. But I need to discuss it with his owners.”

Rupert Pritchard-Gordon, racing manager for Al Shaqab Racing:
“This is real teamwork! First with the Bouquetot Stud team, then with Francis-Henri Graffard’s yard. He has a genuine turn of foot, which he has already shown in the past: he quickens very sharply, and we’ve learned how to use that. The plan was to ride him patiently to preserve that burst. He looked fantastic before the race! He’s fresh, in the right frame of mind, and he has gained strength. He’s on the upgrade. Back in November, after his debut at Deauville, we asked ourselves how far he could take us… and he’s taking us very high!”

Image Scoopdyga