Aventure Shines in the Prix de Vermeille, Sets Sights on the Arc; Sahlan Impresses in the Prix du Moulin

Sunday at ParisLongchamp offered an early glimpse of the pace heading into the big October meeting

venture was extremely solid in a fiercely contested race / FRANCE-GALLOP

PARIS, Francia (Special for Turf Diario).- The European season is heating up, and as every September, all eyes start turning toward the ultimate target: the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), racing’s World Cup, set for Sunday, Oct. 5, at ParisLongchamp. Sunday’s action in the French capital made one thing clear: local star Aventure (Sea The Stars) arrives at the season’s biggest challenge armed with more than enough credentials.

Wearing the blue silks of Wertheimer & Frère and homebred by the stable, Aventure finally captured that elusive first Group 1, doing so with an air of breathtaking authority in the Qatar Prix Vermeille (G1, 2400 m, turf). Ridden by Maxime Guyon, Christophe Ferland’s filly traveled comfortably mid-pack, waited patiently for the straight, and when asked to go, cruised past her rivals with ease, giving the impression she had plenty more to offer.

At the line, Aventure won by 1½ lengths over Gezora (Almanzor), the Prix de Diane (G1) heroine making her first start in three months, leaving a very strong impression. Bedtime Story (Frankel) was third, nearly in line with Survie(Churchill). The Irish filly Whirl (Wootton Bassett), the pre-race favorite, finished last.

Beyond the result, what excites Aventure’s camp is how she did it: effortlessly, like a true champion, and showing that soft ground—likely in October—will not be a concern.

“She had long deserved her G1. Today the field was small but of high quality. It’s a huge relief and joy. Plus, we know she handles soft ground, a key factor for the Arc,” summarized Pierre-Yves Bureau, manager for Wertheimer & Frère.

Aventure’s main rival in the Arc, for now, remains absent: the Irish filly Minnie Hauk (Frankel), who didn’t run at ParisLongchamp but remains firmly in the betting, both sharing favoritism at 4/1.

Sahlan Steals the Show in the Moulin

While the Vermeille provided key takeaways, just half an hour later the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1, 1600 m, turf) delivered a cinematic finish. The hero was Sahlan (Wootton Bassett), a colt trainer Francis Graffardhad always believed had star potential, despite some skepticism. Time has proven him right.

The Al Shaqab Racing chestnut came through along the inside with power, and after a perfectly timed late surge by Mickaël Barzalona, won by half a length over the British runner Rosallion (Blue Point), who fought hard in the closing meters but paid the price for a slight drift wide in the final stride. The Lion In Winter (Sea The Stars) completed the podium, while the Irish favorite Henri Matisse (Wootton Bassett) ran a disappointing fifth.

For Graffard, Sunday was a festival: earlier in Germany, he had won the Grosser Preis von Baden (G1) with Goliath(Adlerflug), and Sahlan’s win secured him a historic international double at the highest level.

“I always had confidence in this horse. When things didn’t go our way, I asked for patience and turned down significant offers because I was certain we’d win a G1. Today, it’s emotional to see all that work rewarded. Next, perhaps we’ll target the Breeders’ Cup Mile,” the trainer said.

With the Qatar Prix Vermeille now part of the Arc Races series, Aventure has secured her wild card to the big event. The series, created by France Galop, aims to connect fans with the road to the Arc, offering a clear and compelling path through the season’s key races.