Francis-Henri Graffard

Entering Sunday's G3 Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp with her reputation still sky-high, The Aga Khan's Studs' Zarigana (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) duly emerged with it intact ahead of what could be a big Classic campaign. Remaining calm as she was re-shod before the start, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained grandaughter of Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) travelled strongly but sensibly on the wing off the moderate pace. Taken into contention with a 10.57 penultimate split, Mickael Barzalona was able to pull the trigger with her momentum at its greatest approaching the furlong pole...

Sent off the 1-2 favourite for Sunday's G2 Prix d'Harcourt, Wathnan Racing's progressive Map Of Stars (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) delivered in style to provide the red-hot Francis-Henri Graffard stable with a ParisLongchamp four-timer. Waited with in fourth early, the G3 Prix Exbury winner was sent to the front approaching the furlong pole by James Doyle and forged clear of Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) to record a 2 1/2-length success. On ground lively for the time of year, Map Of Stars produced a stunning final three-furlong split of...

Keeping it simple on the 6-5 favourite Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath (Ire), Mickael Barzalona allowed the exciting Francis-Henri Graffard-trained homebred to roll from the front and capture Sunday's G3 Al Shira'aa Racing Prix Vanteaux at ParisLongchamp. Sufficiently impressive on her debut at Chantilly in November to earn TDN Rising Star status, Princess Zahra Aga Khan's daughter of her triple Group 1 winner Mandesha (Fr) (Desert Style {Ire}) was in dominant mood throughout. Despite the game effort of Juddmonte's Listed Prix la Camargo winner Flaming Stone (GB) (Kingman {GB}), the first stakes...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features a colt out of the Hong Kong Vase heroine Daryakana. 1.58 ParisLongchamp, €27,000, Debutantes, 3yo, c/g, 10 1/2fT DARYZ (FR) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) hails from the all-powerful Francis-Henri Graffard stable and as a son of the 2009 G1 Hong Kong Vase heroine Daryakana (Fr) (Selkirk)...

Francis-Henri Graffard can do no wrong at present and his irresistible run continued into the early Classic trials as Tajlina (GB) (Kingman {GB}) struck in Saturday's G3 Prix Penelope. A seven-length winner at Chantilly in mid-October before flopping in the Listed Prix Isonomy later that month, the Al Asayl homebred was slowly away for Mickael Barzalona after rearing in the stalls ahead of the 10 1/2-furlong Saint-Cloud prep. Staying on strongly in the style of her high-class dam Bateel (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the 9-5 favourite asserted inside the final furlong...

Sporting the Aga Khan silks so synonymous with the French Classics, the G1 Prix de Diane entry Cankoura (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}--Candarliya {Fr}, by Dalakhani {Ire}) came home alone on her 3-year-old bow at Chantilly on Monday to offer an early shot across the bows ahead of the 2025 renewal of that 10 1/2-furlong feature. Kept to the Polytrack surface and 9 1/2-furlong trip over which she had opened her account here in December, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained grey sauntered around the bends of the track which will host the Classic...

Multiple group winner Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) pleased his connections with a strong gallop at Saint-Cloud on Thursday, according to trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. The Aga Khan runner is pointing toward the $6-million G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on Apr. 5. "All winter we decided he was a horse for the Sheema Classic," the trainer told Dubai Racing Club. "Unfortunately we have trial races at Chantilly on the polytrack and the difference between the two races was too big and I would have had to rush him coming out of...

Craig Bernick's Audubon Park (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}--Right Hand {GB}, by Lope De Vega {Ire}) delivered a stunning late burst to notch a four-length debut score going 9 1/2 furlongs atop Chantilly's synthetic surface last month and repeated the dose upped to 10 furlongs on the turf with a perfect G1 Prix de Diane audition in Thursday's Listed Prix Rose de Mai at Saint-Cloud. The well-backed 3-5 favourite was smartly into stride from the inside stall and settled into a smooth rhythm behind the leaders in third until slipping to fourth...

Last year's King George hero Goliath (Ger) will make his 2025 bow in Hong Kong on Champions Day, Apr. 27, according to an X post by the gelding's co-owner, John Stewart of Resolute Racing. Stewart purchased a majority share in the son of Adlerflug (Ger) after he landed the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard last summer. Geldings remain barred from participating in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. "I am dedicated to international racing at the highest level," Stewart told TDN Europe....

There was something to warm the hearts of Flat lovers at Chantilly on Friday as Craig Bernick's newcomer Audubon Park (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}--Right Hand {GB}, by Lope De Vega {Ire}) became one of the late winter's notebook performers with an impressive debut display. From the well-stocked Francis-Henri Graffard stable with all its high-class yardsticks, the blueblood bred by a partnership at Ecurie des Monceaux was the talk of the town heading to post for the 9 1/2-furlong Prix du Chateau de la Reine Blanche for unraced 3-year-old fillies on the...

It is plain to see that the Aga Khan Studs are in excellent hands, but the passing of His Highness the Aga Khan IV nevertheless signals the end of one of the most significant chapters in the long and storied history of Thoroughbred breeding. During his 65-year tenure at the head of the Aga Khan Studs, he presided over a prolonged period of growth, both in the stature and size of the operation, which was consolidated and expanded by the acquisition of stock from other major breeders. Those included Francois...

John Stewart says that he is 'putting his money where his mouth is' after spending 6,265,000gns--close to $8 million--on five fillies at Tattersalls this week, headed by Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) at 3.2 million gns.  Vertical Blue is trained by Francis Graffard, who manages the career of Stewart's most high-profile horse in Europe, Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). The four-year-old gelding was last seen finishing sixth in the Japan Cup.  That effort was deemed unsatisfactory by the man behind Resolute Racing, who has outlined...