Francis-Henri Graffard

Eleven-times Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) is likely to visit leading European sire Sea The Stars (Ire) in her first year at stud in 2023, Racing.com reports. Co-owner Brae Sokolski told the website that the decision was not final, but that the ownership was leaning in the direction of breeding to the sire that has been represented by the world's top-rated turf horse Baaeed (GB) and the legendary stayer Stradivarius (Ire). "She'll be served to northern hemisphere time and while no final decision has been made on...

Group 1 winner Sweet Lady (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) will be offered during the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale during Dec. 3-6. A winner of the G1 Prix Vermeille, the 4-year-old landed the G2 Prix Corrida, G3 Prix de Flore, and the Listed Prix La Camargo in the Gemini Stud silks for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard earlier in her career. Graffard said, "It's been a pleasure to train this magnificent filly for the last three years. Very brave and with a great temperament, she achieved all her objectives this year...

G1 Melbourne Cup heroine Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) will run in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. at Ascot on Oct. 15, trainer Francis-Henri Graffard revealed on Tuesday. She will be part of a two-pronged attack in that race for the trainer on QIPCO British Champions Day alongside G1 Prix Vermeille winner Sweet Lady (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). Unplaced in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet to start her European campaign, the 11-time Group 1 winne ran third in the G2 Prix Foy, and was most...

Rebounding off a fourth in a quality renewal of July's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Gemini Stud's G2 Prix Corrida victrix Sweet Lady (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--High Heel Sneakers {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) showed a clean set of heels to her 10 rivals and made all to register a first elite-level triumph in Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp. Swiftly into stride and passing every marker in front, she was scrubbed along as the pack threatened off the home turn and called upon abundant reserves under an all-out...

Crack Australasian mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) will return to the racecourse on Arc trials weekend in either the G1 Prix Vermeille or the G2 Prix Foy on Sept. 11, trainer Francis-Henri Graffard revealed. The dark bay was last of seven in her first Northern Hemisphere run, the G1 Prix Jean Romanet, earlier this month. Depending on how the 11-time Group 1 winner performs in September in those 1 1/2-mile races will determine if she will step out in the Oct. 2 G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe....

Following the frantic Saturday, a sense of serenity returns to the European racing scene on Sunday with Deauville hosting the leading action including the G1 Darley Prix Morny and G1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet. In the latter contest, France says bienvenue to the Australian wonder Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) who makes her eagerly anticipated Northern Hemisphere debut under Frankie Dettori for the Francis-Henri Graffard stable. Her astounding 11 Group 1 wins in her former country make her a figure of worldwide renown, but a 12th in Europe would truly...

Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) could make her first European start in August as her new trainer Francis-Henri Graffard revealed he is considering a bid for the G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville. A sensation in Australia, Verry Elleegant won 11 Group 1 races--including the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup--under the care of Chris Waller before it was announced in May that she would continue her career in France.  The G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the G1 Fillies & Mares Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot were...

The Caesars Turf Triple, the New York Racing Association (NYRA)'s series for 3-year-olds on the grass, will kick off July 9 at Belmont Park and may include a major European contingent. NYRA released the invitees Saturday for both the GI Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational, worth $1 million, and the $700,000 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational. Both the male and female divisions begin at the distance of 1 1/4 miles. Of the six races in the series--three each for colts and fillies--four were won last year by European-based trainers. Aidan O'Brien, who...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Insights features a half-brother to G1SW Dolniya. 12.05 Compiegne, Debutantes, €27,000, 3yo, 8fT DALMAR (FR) (Siyouni {Fr}) is a notable newcomer, being a half-brother to the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic winner Dolniya (Fr) (Azamour {Ire}) out of a half-sister to the brilliant Daylami (Ire) and Dalakhani (Ire). Francis-Henri...

He had to fight to extend his winning sequence on his black-type bow on Thursday, but Al Asayl France's L'Astronome (GB) (Frankel {GB}--Tymora, by Giant's Causeway) proved equal to the task when eking out a narrow verdict over Galaxie Gold (Fr) (Dariyan {Fr}) in a thriller for ParisLongchamp's G2 Prix Hocquart. Sent off the 7-10 favourite for the 11-furlong test, having shown abundant promise so far and having scored over slightly shorter at this track last time Apr. 28, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained chestnut was unable to get a lead from...

Gemini Stud's Sweet Lady (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}--High Heel Sneakers {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) posted a career high in October's G3 Prix de Flore at Saint-Cloud and lined up for Tuesday's G3 Prix Corrida back over the same 10 1/2-furlong distance at the Paris venue returning off a second in April's Listed Prix Lord Seymour at ParisLongchamp. The 5-2 second favourite adopted her usual patient tactics and was positioned off the tempo in fifth for the most part. Nudged along to close with 500 metres remaining, she quickened in...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Insights features debuting Tabarin (Ire) (Frankel ({GB}) and 'Rising Star' Eldar Eldarov (Dubawi {Ire}). 2.25 Saint-Cloud, Debuntates, €27,000, 3yo, c/g, 12fT TABARIN (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) debuts for the Niarchos Family and Francis-Henri Graffard and is a son of the G3 Prix Vanteaux winner and G1 Prix Saint-Alary runner-up...