By Tom Frary
It was tight between the unexposed pair Ridari (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) and Sahlan (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) at the end of Sunday's G3 Prix de Fontainebleau at ParisLongchamp, but where it counted the photo showed the former on top to kick off a notable double for The Aga Khan's Studs. Last seen breaking his maiden over this mile trip on Chantilly's Polytrack in November, the Mikel Delzangles-trained 7-1 shot was squeezed exiting the stalls in this trial for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and ended up in last with Mickael Barzalona keen to establish a rhythm.
Finding room in midstraight, the homebred son of the G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Ridasiyna (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) was out in time to reel in Al Shaqab's Sahlan in the shade of the post. A nose separated the duo there, with 1 3/4 lengths back to last year's G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere third Misunderstood (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) in third to provide context.
“I'm very pleased, as he's not an easy horse–he can be quite keen, so the jockey gave him a real good ride,” Delzangles said. “He quickened nicely and it was a good prep for the big one in four weeks' time. He's a May foal and not even three yet, so there should be more to come. His dam was like him, quite keen but with a lot of class.”
Al Shaqab's representative Rupert Pritchard-Gordon said of Sahlan and Misunderstood, “Both ran well, Sahlan in particular on his first run on turf against experienced group-class performers. The idea with Misunderstood was that he needed the race, as he's a big strong horse and so it was always going to do him good. They went a little quick if I'm honest and so Sahlan was probably in front a bit too soon. We'll see what the trainers and owners say, but both are entitled to run in the Poulains as they will come forward from this.”
Sahlan's trainer Francis-Henri Graffard added, “We had doubts about his stamina and he saw daylight too early today, but Christophe [Soumillon] said he had to go when he did. A mile is completely the maximum for him and he will learn a lot from that. It was a very good performance and we'll see him in the Poulains.”
Ridari wins the Prix de Fontainebleau at ParisLongchamp!🇫🇷
Sahlan kicked for home and looked to have the race at his mercy but Ridari flies home to collar him late on! pic.twitter.com/IasjPKnA8G
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 13, 2025
Pedigree Notes
Ridari is the last known foal out of the aforementioned Ridasiyna, one of the early brigade of high-class Motivators who also captured the G3 Prix Chloe. It includes the G3 Royal Whip Stakes winner Rayseka (Ire) (Dancing Brave).
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE FONTAINEBLEAU-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-13, 3yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:38.02, g/s.
1–RIDARI (FR), 128, c, 3, by Churchill (Ire)
1st Dam: Ridasiyna (Fr) (G1SW-Fr, $524,255), by Motivator (GB)
2nd Dam: Ridafa (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Ridaiyma (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-The Aga Khan's Studs SC (FR); T-Mikel Delzangles; J-Mickael Barzalona. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, €61,000. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Sahlan (Ire), 128, c, 3, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Wasmya (Fr), by Toronado (Ire).
1ST BLACK-TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE. O/B-Al Shaqab Racing (IRE); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €16,000.
3–Misunderstood (Fr), 128, c, 3, Hello Youmzain (Fr)–Waldjagd (GB), by Observatory. (190,000gns RNA Ylg '23 TATOCT; 95,000gns RNA 2yo '24 TATBRE). O-Al Shaqab Racing, Haras d'Etreham & Mustapha Bekhti; B-Ecurie de Cachene & Patrick Charel (FR); T-Mario Baratti. €12,000.
Margins: NO, 1 3/4, NK. Odds: 6.70, 2.90, 2.50.
Also Ran: Heybetli (Ire), Darius Cen (Fr), Batal Youmzain (Fr), Madero (Fr).
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