Mister Saint Paul and Mqse de Sévigné enter the Classic picture. Stablemates Dariyan and Siyouni duly followed in the footsteps of Zarak this weekend by providing two exciting Classic contenders.

Mqse De Sévigné was making her seasonal debut in the Gr.3 Prix Vanteaux and her first attempt at Stakes level was a successful one as she finished strongly to win this Classic prep race. This daughter of Siyouni had placed third to Agave on her debut in the Prix de la Cascade at two before winning her maiden over seven furlongs three weeks later.

Her owner and breeder Edouard de Rothschild said after the race: “She was a shade unlucky when encountering two good fillies first time out and won nicely on her second start last year. She has developed into a handsome-looking filly over the winter and I think she won very well today. Her dam belonged to my father [Baron Guy de Rothschild] and has already produced Meandre, so I don’t think staying further will be a problem for her. She’s entered in the Prix de Diane, of course, but we’ll not commit to anything just yet. We shall take time to see how she comes out of this race and will, in time, decide which route to take.”

The following race on the ParisLongchamp racecard was a preparatory race for the Prix du Jockey Club and was lifted by a son of Dariyan. The three-year-old colt Mister Saint Paul had finished a close fourth in the LR Prix Omnium on seasonal debut and he kept on strongly to win the Gr.3 Prix La Force ahead of dual Stakes winner Dreamflight yesterday.

A Listed winner at two, Mister Saint Paul is trained by Etienne Leenders and his son Grégoire who said after the race: “Nobody believed in this horse at odds of 22-1, but we had faith in him because he’s a real fighter and puts his heart into everything on the track. His jockey [Théo Bachelot] gave him a beautiful ride and we are delighted for the owners. I’d also like to thank the staff at home for all their hard work in making these days possible. I think, and I’ve always thought, he is better over a mile. He’s entered in the Gr.1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains and Gr.1 Prix du Jockey Club and the result of today’s race tells us that both remain possibilities. We will take time to enjoy this before deciding on the route forward.”

Both Dariyan and Siyouni stand at Haras de Bonneval alongside Zarak, who was represented by five winners last week, including the exciting Classic prospects Sabio Cen and La Parisienne.