Samangan Lives Up to Graffard's Faith at Deauville

Samangan (IRE) fulfilled all the hopes invested in him at the beginning of the year when holding the desperate late thrust of Division (GB) to land the Aug. 9 Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1) at Deauville. In doing so, he gave trainer Francis Graffard a first victory in the race, while the Aga Khan Studs have not had a group 1 winner at sprint distances since champion juvenile Blushing Groom won the Prix Morny 50 years ago. "I've always thought a lot of him," said Graffard. "Things have not always gone his way but often with 3-year-olds at this type of trip they need to learn their job. "He's matured with racing and I think what you've seen today is the accumulation of all his runs bearing fruit. He really sustained his effort all the way to the line and it's great to have won this race. "Today, he was able to produce his effort in a very composed way, without rushing, and when the attacks came, I could see he was always finding plenty and he was always going forward. It got tight at the death but it's a wonderful victory." Graffard will now prioritize keeping Samangan to fast ground, something which could count against his entries in both the Prix de la Forêt (G1) and the Champions Sprint (G1). He doesn't currently hold an entry for the Sprint Cup (G1) at Haydock, although nothing will be ruled out while the sun continues to shine. "I think he enjoys top of the ground and while it's pretty obvious the Prix de la Foret is the race for him, he wouldn't want it to get too deep," said Graffard. "We'll look abroad as well and he's got plenty of entries so I'll look at the options with the princess (Zahra Aga Khan). But he's won a Group 1, he's a wonderful looking horse who is beautifully bred and has earned his place at stud so I've done my job in that respect." A relatively pedestrian early pace did no favors to a number of chances, none more so than Division, who missed out by a short head. Maureen Haggas said: "He ran very well. Probably not quite enough pace for him but he finished like a train and ran a very nice race." Wathnan Racing adviser Richard Brown was asked if he would consider America for Division, who was adding second place here to a string of good efforts at home. Brown said: "The answer is yes but at the moment, he's close to winning one of these and that's the priority. "He'll be in training for the next two years as long as he's sound and as long as William and Maureen are happy to let us keep him there. I think he deserves more shots at European group 1s and I think he can win one." Stolen Kiss (FR) looked the main threat to Samangan until deep inside the final furlong and was only another short neck away in third, while Take Charge Star (IRE) and True Love (IRE) were next home in fourth and fifth. Pauline Chehboub, representing the owners of Stolen Kiss, said: "Once again, you cannot fault him. He has run a superb race over (6 1/2 furlongs), finishing behind 3-year-olds who benefit from a weight allowance."