It was a first win in this Group 1 sprint contest for the green-and-red silks, with Samangan battling tenaciously to keep his lead from two furlongs out.

“It was certainly not a thing of the past, as my father didn't like sprinters – my great grandfather had them and we are adding back some speed so we can protect our Classic distance families as well,” said Princess Zahra Aga Khan. “Certainly, for the moment, having some sprinters and middle-distance horses is lovely.

“I thank Francis [Graffard, trainer] and Mickael [Barzalona, jockey], as they had a plan for this and Mickael knew exactly where he wanted to be and who he wanted to follow and he did exactly that. The horse then showed his turn of foot and that was fantastic.”

“He needed to gain experience and so his races have toughened him up and this victory is the result of that,” added Graffard. “Today, he was able to produce his effort in a very composed way, without rushing and I am very pleased for the team at home. His next target could be the Prix de la Forêt, provided the ground is not too testing for him. He is a Group 1 winner and exceptionally well-bred, so he has earned his place at stud as a stallion. My job is done!”

Samangan is one of the fastest and most precocious colts produced by the Aga Khan Studs since Siyouni. He ran four times at two, winning three including the Gr.3 Prix Eclipse and Gr.2 Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte. In 2026 his résumé has also included a second in the Gr.3 Prix Djebel and a close fourth in the Gr.1 Prix Jean Prat.

The son of Blue Point is out of Samadrisa, a winning half-sister to multiple Group 1 heroine Sarafina who has also produced Stakes winner Simeen.

The previous day at Deauville, two-year-old Drazinda picked up her first Stakes success in the Listed Prix de la Vallée d’Auge in the colours of Princess Zahra Aga Khan. Another speedy juvenile, she is from the immediate family of her owner/breeder’s Champion Three-Year-Old Darjina.

On the same card, Aga Khan-bred Canneza edged her sire Siyouni closer to the 100 Stakes winners mark after winning the Listed Prix Isola Bella, a short neck ahead of Zarak filly Abbey Road. Now owned by Gary Johnson, Canneza was sold to Johnny McKeever at last year’s Arqana Breeding Stock Sale.