By Sean Cronin
Karl Burke trainee Convergent (Fascinating Rock), who had hit the board in a stellar edition of May's G3 Chester Vase and July's G1 Deutsches Derby, gained his black-type breakthrough in the G3 Kilternan five weeks ago and climbed another rung up the ladder with a career best in Sunday's G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris at Longchamp.
“The race panned out exactly how I wanted it to,” said winning rider Clifford Lee. “It was a strong gallop, but he's one of those that doesn't want being in front too soon. He was fresh and keen in Ireland last time, but he was a lot more relaxed today. I was in a lovely position just behind the leaders and he travelled really well into the straight. I held onto him for a little bit longer than usual and, when I went for him, he really picked up. He's not short of speed, he quickened up nice and to do it in this grade means he's obviously above average.”
The 22-5 fifth choice settled into a smooth rhythm, positioned in a handy fourth, after an alert getaway from stall six of seven. Last to come off the bridle when cruising into contention in the straight, he was shaken up to go second passing the furlong pole and kept on strongly under a late drive to deny globetrotting multiple Group 1 winner Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai) by a short-neck. Qatar Racing's pacesetting Yellow Jersey (Dubawi) did not surrender tamely when headed and kept on in resolute fashion to finish a neck back in third.
It's another high-profile success for the @karl_burke and @CliffordleexLee team as Convergent swoops late to land the Group Two Prix du Conseil de Paris! 🏆🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/ckOrQKJ5y3
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 19, 2025
Pedigree Notes
Convergent, the lone pattern-race winner by his sire, is a full-brother to G3 Fritz Henkel-Preis runner-up Molton Rock. He is out of a half-sister to stakes-winning G3 Stanerra Stakes third Naughty Or Nice (Fastnet Rock) and G3 Give Thanks Stakes runner-up Dark Crusader (Cape Cross), with the latter being the dam of G1 Caulfield Cup hero Duke De Sessa (Lope De Vega). Another half-sister, Cailini Alainn (Danehill Dancer), is the dam of this year's Listed Vinnie Roe Stakes victrix Floresta (Waldgeist). Convergent's third dam Mosaique Bleue (Shirley Heights), kin to Group 1-winning duo Mersey (Crystal Palace) and Muncie (Sadler's Wells), produced GI Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Handicap hero Subtle Power (Sadler's Wells). Convergent's dam Monty's Miracle (Shamardal), who hails from the family of G1 Prix de Diane heroine Madelia (Caro), has a yearling filly by Dark Angel to come.
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DU CONSEIL DE PARIS-G2, €119,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-19, 3yo/up, 11fT, 2:17.02, g/s.
1–CONVERGENT (IRE), 122, c, 3, by Fascinating Rock (Ire)
1st Dam: Monty's Miracle (Ire), by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Monty's Girl (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire)
3rd Dam: Mosaique Bleue (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
O/B-Newtown Anner Stud Farm; T-Karl Burke; J-Clifford Lee. €67,830. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, G1SP-Ger & GSP-Eng, 6-4-1-1, €285,148. *Full to Molten Rock (Ire), GSP-Ger & SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Dubai Honour (Ire), 128, g, 7, Pride Of Dubai (Aus)–Mondelice (GB), by Montjeu (Ire). (110,000 gns Ylg '19 TAOCT). O-Suc. Mohamed Obaida; B-Macha Bloodstock & Meridian International SARL; T-William Haggas. €26,180.
3–Yellow Jersey (Fr), 122, g, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Psara (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€400,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG). O-Qatar Racing Ltd; B-Ecurie Skymarc Farm, Langlais Bloodstock, Laurent Dassault & Ecurie des Monceaux; T-Andre Fabre. €12,495.
Margins: SNK, NK, 2HF. Odds: 4.40, 3.60, 2.20.
Also Ran: Bay City Roller (Ire), Junko (GB), Path Of Soldier (Ger), Casapueblo (Ire).
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
