United Kingdom: Samangan Secures First Group One Win in Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville

Samangan gave trainer Francis-Henri Graffard another Group One success with victory in the ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, France. The Aga Khan Studs-owned colt gained a first top-level win, always close to pace-setting Afandy over the six-and-a-half-furlong trip before battling through the final quarter-mile to master Stolen Kiss and just hold off the William Haggas-trained Division, who flashed home under James Doyle. The winner had been fourth in the Prix Jean Prat last time out but comprehensively reversed form with the Ballydoyle Classic heroine True Love on this occasion.

Nemone Routh, racing manager for the owners in France, told Sky Sports Racing: "He's a lovely horse, he's very genuine. He was always going to follow Afandy and then he was really brave. He could (go to Ascot on Champions Day), but I think he's better on good, firm ground, that's another thing we've found this year.

I think if it got too soft he wouldn't go there. He's a relaxed horse and he can get seven (furlongs). It all depends on the ground.

Graffard added: "I am very pleased for the stable. He is a colt we have always held in high regard.