By Tom Frary
With all the leaders of the staying category AWOL on Saturday, Caballo De Mar (Phoenix Of Spain) took full advantage as the one true improver with the stamina for ParisLongchamp's G1 Qatar Prix du Cadran. Having conquered Dortmund's G3 Deutsches St Leger last month, Victorious Racing's 9-2 shot refused to give compatriot Coltrane (Mastercraftsman) more than a length advantage throughout and once sent by the 11-5 favourite by Tom Marquand two out asserted to score by 1 3/4 lengths.
Runner-up in the Chester Cup and Royal Ascot's Copper Horse Stakes before his trip to Germany, Caballo De Mar was breaking through at the highest level almost a year to the day since winning a handicap at Southwell off a lowly mark of 67. Trainer George Scott, who was registering his first Group 1 win as a trainer, was keen to pay tribute to horse and staff.
“It's an amazing feeling and a very special day for me and my team at home–we've finally got there,” he said.
“I was on the floor as he crossed the line, I have to admit, and I don't really get emotional so that's what it meant to me,” he added. “We've been waiting for it for a long time and it felt like we needed it as well. He's a one-off–he started his life in low-grade handicaps, but the great thing about him is he's got a huge heart.”
“It all went to plan. He loves to race on the hip of the leader, that seems to be his happy place and Tom said he could have gone round again after the line. He has his whole future ahead of him and he might not be done for the year. There are a couple of dances left and he's such a unique character in that he's so tough and durable. He'll be out in the Middle East next year for the Red Sea and World Cup night.”
Pedigree Notes
Caballo De Mar, who also becomes the first Group 1 winner for his sire, is currently the last known foal out of Oberyn (Holy Roman Emperor) who hails from the Aga Khan Studs family of the G3 Prix Minerve winner and excellent producer Daralinsha (Empery). The pedigree includes the luminaries Darjina (Zamindar), Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) and Darsi (Polish Precedent).
A first Group One for @GScottracing! 🏆
Caballo De Mar digs deep to win the Group One Qatar Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp! 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/b6VjeC6kyx
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 4, 2025
Saturday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX DU CADRAN-G1, €300,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-4, 4yo/up, 20fT, 4:34.74, vsf.
1–CABALLO DE MAR (IRE), 128, g, 4, by Phoenix Of Spain (Ire)
1st Dam: Oberyn (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)
2nd Dam: Daraliya (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire)
3rd Dam: Daralinsha, by Empery
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€21,000 Wlg '21 GOFNOV; €33,000 Ylg '22 TIRSEP). O-Victorious Forever; B-Barouche Stud (Ireland) Ltd; T-George Scott; J-Tom Marquand. €171,420. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ger, 18-8-3-2, €384,676. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Coltrane (Ire), 128, g, 8, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Promise Me (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire). (50,000gns Ylg '18 TATOCT). O-Mick & Janice Mariscotti; B-Rockfield Farm; T-Andrew Balding. €68,580.
3–Queenstown (Ire), 128, g, 5, Galileo (Ire)–Where (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg; B-Coolmore; T-Aidan O'Brien. €34,290.
Margins: 1 3/4, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 4.80, 2.20, 3.40.
Also Ran: Sunway (Fr), Coetzee, Alsakib (GB), Tashkhan (Ire), Sacred Spirit (Ire).
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