Joe McConnell
It was a thrilling victory for Roger Varian, with Charyn dominating the race to secure a second successive Group One victory under Silvestre de Sousa in the Prix Jacques le Marois.
Charyn’s remarkable season continued with a convincing win at Deauville.
Varian’s grey horse has barely put a foot wrong all year, winning the Listed Doncaster Mile on debut and then the bet365 Mile at Sandown.
At Group One level at Newbury he finished second to Lockinge, after which he went one better at the same level by winning the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.
Consequently, he was highly rated for his assignment at Deauville, where he was ridden by De Sousa in a starting field of eight horses, later reduced by the last-minute withdrawal of Richard Hannon’s Haatem.
It wasn’t the first time that John and Thady Gosden’s competitor Inspiral had slowed her pace, but Charyn has always proven adept at moving in the slipstream of race leader Big Rock.
With two furlongs to go, Varian’s four-year-old began to lengthen his stride and from then on it was clear there would be no catching him, with the success coming by three lengths from French 2000 Guineas winner Metropolitan, with double Marois heroine Inspiral in third.
“It’s been a very comfortable watch, I can’t wait to see him again. He’s a fantastic horse, he seems to be getting better and better,” said an emotional Varian. “He’s a horse that makes my job easy and I just hope he stays healthy.
“I don’t know what else to say, he made me cry. He’s such a beautiful horse. He was impressive today in the way he put it to bed and he seems to be getting better and better. Some people forget he was a Group Two winner at two and now he’s the finished article.
“You don’t always know where you are with him, he’s very relaxed at home and brings a lot of conditions with him. I always wonder if I’ve done enough with him.
Inspiral disappointed in Group 1
“He has a great mind, he’s very relaxed and makes my job very easy. Silvestre is building a good relationship with him and I’m happy for (owner) Nurlan Bizakov and his family. They put so much effort into the game.”
The race earned Charyn an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile as part of the “Win and You’re in” series, although Queen Anne also earned him a spot in the race and Varian is currently looking closer to home for the colt’s next move.
He said: “He’s got a win and you’re in from Queen Anne, I’m not sure that’s a route we’ll go down. We’ve got a long way to go before then, but it’s nice to be invited and it’s nice to have that option for the end of the year.
“We’ll have to see how he is after today’s race, he’s at the Moulin and the QEII, we like the idea of Ascot on Champions Day, the important thing is whether or not we go to Longchamp along the way.
“He had a great run in the Lockinge when we got beaten by a good horse, but I thought it was a fun race and the most important thing for him to win at Ascot was that. He gave it his all today and I’m delighted.”
John Gosden felt Inspiral’s slow start ruined her chances after she had to make several strides to get into the race.
“I don’t think you can give horses in that class a six or seven-length advantage, but she did that,” he said of Ryan Moore’s horse.
“She’s never been quick off the line, but in a Group One race you can’t get away with that.
“He did it once at Ascot, but apart from that he had a really good race and by coming so close he showed he was in great form.
“He’s a great character, as was his mother, and he ran a huge race from an impossible position. Let’s hope he doesn’t do it again next time.”
Cowardofthecounty is back to winning ways
Cowardofthecounty is back in fashion with Deauville win
Cowardofthecounty proved the toughest of the bunch, taking the Prix Francois Boutin at Deauville.
Joseph O’Brien’s Kodi Bear colt was a winner on debut, beating subsequent July Stakes hero Whistlejacket, but finished only seventh in both the Coventry Stakes and Anglesey.
However, the previous race proved to be a narrower defeat than his ranking suggests, and in France he reached the seven furlong mark partnered by Ryan Moore at Group Three level.
On good ground and in a field of five he consistently placed well and, as the race progressed, it became apparent that he was by far the better rider, with the race effectively won a furlong from home.
Crossing the finish line, Cowardofthecounty took the victory by a length and a half over the renowned Houquetot.
“He showed good form and was impressive first time out, and the extra furlong obviously helped him today,” said Shane Cross, O’Brien’s assistant trainer.
“He’s a big, strong colt and Ryan said he enjoyed the race, finishing it well and correctly.
“It’s great to come home with a winner.”
Moore added: “He won well on debut, many aspects of his form started to work well and the move to seven (furlongs) suited him.
“He won well, he’s a horse with a good future ahead of him.”
Ombudsman wins Nureyev Listed Race Award
Ombudsman issues decisive verdict
John and Thady Gosden’s Ombudsman remains undefeated after a landslide victory in the Listed-class Prix Nureyev at Deauville.
The Godolphin-owned Night Of Thunder colt did not race as a two-year-old but had novice wins at Newmarket and Leicester under his belt when he headed to France to be partnered by Ryan Moore.
Over the 10 furlongs he was ridden patiently and saved his efforts for the home straight, where he showed real promise when pulling away easily to claim a three and a half length victory from Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Sons And Lovers.
“The race was run at a decent pace and the ground was quite fast,” said John Gosden.
“Last year he was immature and had knee problems, but he’s done all right. Ryan says to keep him at 10 furlongs.
“He couldn’t run last year and in any case he’s not a horse to be overestimated, it will all be about next year.
“It was fantastic that the French invented this race, a Listed race where you can only race three-year-old colts, which is not possible in England.”
