The Prix du Moulin (G1) provided the season's latest shock result as 20-1 shot Sahlan got the better of the fast-finishing Rosallion at Longchamp Sept. 7.
The 3-year-old was supplemented for the contest by trainer Francis Graffard and provided him with a second group 1 within half an hour after Goliath's strike in the Grosser Preis von Baden (G1) in Germany.
The Al Shaqab Racing colt could only finish ninth behind Henri Matisse in the French Two Thousand Guineas (G1) in May, but reversed that form in emphatic style after landing the Prix Daphnis (G3) on his latest start.
"Today was a big challenge," Graffard said. "I said to His Highness Sheikh Joaan that I didn't have many options for the horse and that he was in very good form and he can quicken.
"It was a big gamble but I said if he was in the first five it would be fine, we have nothing to lose, and he believed in me, and obviously it paid off really nicely today. There was a lack of options, and I've always liked the horse.
"In the Poule d'Essai, we had a lot of excuses, and then he was sick when he was beaten in the listed race. He won comfortably in the group 3 last time."
A foreign trip could be on the cards to close the season, with Graffard eyeing a trip to Del Mar for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) Nov. 1.
"I don't think I'll run him again here on soft ground," he added. "I'll speak to the entourage, but if he's well, why not go to the Breeders' Cup Mile? We'll probably keep him as a 4-year-old."
Rosallion, who had already finished second in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) and Sussex Stakes (G1) this season, was forced to settle for the same position again after racing toward the rear. While finishing powerfully under Sean Levey, the 4-year-old had to yield by a short head in a photo-finish.
The Lion In Winter produced an excellent effort to be third, while his stablemate and the favorite Henri Matisse was in fifth behind the pace-making Alcantor.
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Aventure Ready for Arc Redemption after Prix Vermeille Win
Aventure, second in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), ran out a decisive winner of the Prix Vermeille (G1) at Longchamp as Whirl faded to finish last of the six runners.
Whirl was sent off the odds-on favorite and gradually made her way across to lead under jockey Christophe Soumillon. However, Aventure always looked comfortable under Maxime Guyon, and the race was over once she was asked for her effort with two furlongs remaining.
Guyon, who has yet to win the Arc, did not use his whip once aboard the Wertheimer-owned 4-year-old, as she was pushed out to win the group 1 from Gezora. Last year, Aventure finished second to Bluestocking in the Vermeille before filling the same position in the Arc.
Trainer Christophe Ferland said: "That was fantastic, she won very well. We didn't know about the Irish fillies but she did very well.
"When she came out in the straight she really made a good acceleration, and was very confident all the way. I'm very pleased as my mission was to win a group 1 with her, and that's done so it's a good thing."
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