Wootton Bassett’s Sahlan Collects Group 1 Honours In The Prix Du Moulin

Sahlan (3c Wootton Bassett - Wasmya, by Toronado) displayed a fine turn of foot to land his first Group 1 in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp on Sunday.

The Francis-Henri Graffard-trained colt had captured the Group 3 Prix Daphnis at Deauville on his previous start and stepped up to the highest level for a brave victory.

Ridden by Mickael Barzalona, the son of Wootton Bassett settled in mid-division and ran on strongly inside the final furlong to claim the lead with less than 100 yards to run.

Al Shaqab Racing’s three-year-old is the fifth individual top-level winner for his record-breaking sire this year, following the likes of Royal Patronage, Henri Matisse, Camille Pissarro and Whirl.

Graffard said: “You have to thank the owners for respecting my opinion and trusting me to take on a big challenge.

“I said to Sheikh Joaan [of Al Shaqab Racing] I didn’t have many options for the horse, I think he’s in very good form, he can quicken, it’s a big gamble, but if we’re in the first five, we have nothing to lose.

“He believed in me and it’s paid off nicely. I always liked this horse, he’s been beaten but in the Poule d’Essai we had a lot of excuses and I couldn’t blame the horse. He was sick when he was beaten in the Listed race and then he won a Group 3 comfortably.

“I had the support, and I’m very happy. I don’t think I will run him again on soft ground here. If he’s well, we might look to the Breeders’ Cup Mile but he’s a horse we will likely keep as a four-year-old. That’s the softest ground we would look to run him on.”

Sahlan is a homebred for Al Shaqab Racing.