Samangan Secures Group One Victory in Deauville's Prix Maurice de Gheest
Samangan, owned by Aga Khan Studs, won the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, giving trainer Francis-Henri Graffard another top-level triumph.
In Deauville, Samangan, racing for Aga Khan Studs, captured the ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest, marking trainer Francis-Henri Graffard’s second Group One success. The colt stayed close to the early leader Afandy before pulling ahead in the final quarter-mile to beat Division, trained by William Haggas and ridden by James Doyle. Nemone Routh described Samangan as a genuine, brave horse that prefers good, firm ground and can handle up to seven furlongs.
Graffard expressed satisfaction with the colt’s development and suggested the Qatar Prix de la Foret as a next target, provided the surface is suitable. The card also saw Distant Storm, a Godolphin three-year-old, win the Prix Daphnis, with jockey Billy Loughnane noting the even pace and his horse’s strong turn of foot.
Why it matters
The win adds a prestigious Group One title to Samangan’s record, boosting its value as a future breeding stallion.
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