Behrayna Keeps Unbeaten Record Intact as Sons And Lovers Holds On in a Stellar Night

The Aga Khan’s homebred filly narrowly prevailed in the Prix de Malleret (G2) to remain on course for the Prix Vermeille (G1), while Joseph O’Brien’s stayer landed the Prix Maurice de Nieuil (G2) following a thrilling finish

Behrayna will go now for the Prix Vermeille / FRANCE-GALOP

PARIS, France—While the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) commanded the lion's share of attention during Tuesday's blockbuster card at ParisLongchamp, the supporting feature events provided plenty of fireworks and offered compelling previews of the major autumn targets ahead.

Chief among them was Behrayna (Sea The Moon), who preserved her unblemished record with a gutsy victory in the Cygames Prix de Malleret (G2-2400m), proving that her blue-blooded pedigree is matched by a championship-caliber racing mind. Carrying the famous colors of H.H. Aga Khan Studs, the homebred filly had to overcome a tactical, slow-paced affair that dissolved into a frantic sprint from the false straight, thoroughly testing both her adaptability and turn of foot.

Jockey Mickaël Barzalona kept the favorite beautifully balanced when Pink Panthera (Chachnak), under Pierre-Charles Boudot, launched an early bid to steal the race and snatched a brief lead turning for home. However, the market leader responded generously when asked, systematically chipping away at the deficit to assert control in the shadow of the wire.

At the line, a mere neck separated Behrayna from runner-up Pink Panthera, who herself had chased home the winner when second in the Prix de Diane (G1). Juddmonte's Frankel filly, Dispatches (Frankel), finished a further three lengths back in third.

The most telling statistic of the winner's performance was her final 600-meter sectional, clocked in an electric 32.47 seconds—a figure that underscored both the crawling early pace and her exceptional ability to shift gears on demand.

"She is a filly of immense talent," said winning rider Barzalona. "She found her rhythm quickly, even though the pace was incredibly slow before they quickened sharply on the false straight. She proved she is a genuine mile-and-half filly and responded the second I asked her."

Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, Behrayna boasts a perfect resume of four wins from as many starts. Her upward trajectory includes prior victories in the Prix de la Seine (L) at ParisLongchamp and the Prix de Royaumont (G3) at Chantilly.

A direct descendant of Behera (Mill Reef)—winner of the 1989 Prix Saint-Alary (G1) and runner-up in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)—the progressive filly will target the Prix Vermeille (G1) as her next major assignment, a race that will ultimately determine if she warrants a tilt at the Arc itself.

The drama was equally intense in the Radio FG Prix Maurice de Nieuil (G2-2800m), where Sons And Lovers (Study Of Man) continued a brilliant run of form for Joseph O'Brien’s Carriganog Racing with a tenacious, front-running triumph.

Coming off a fifth-place finish in the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot, the stayer assumed control early and dictated the tempo for the majority of the marathon distance under a well-judged ride by Dylan Browne McMonagle.

The complexion of the race shifted dramatically in the lane when Double Major (Daiwa Major), a two-time winner of the Prix Royal-Oak (G1), briefly headed the leader with 350 meters remaining. Sons And Lovers immediately fought back, reclaiming the lead inside the final furlong before digging deep to repel a fierce late challenge on the outside from Parachutiste (Dubawi).

In a desperate three-way finish, Sons And Lovers held on by a head over Parachutiste, with Double Major just a neck back in third.

The victory marked the third group success for Sons And Lovers, adding to his previous scores in the Ballyroan Stakes (G3) and the Red Sea Turf Handicap (G2) in Saudi Arabia. It was another exhibition of stamina and heart from a stayer who has repeatedly shown that once he secures the lead, he is a formidable opponent to wear down.