Rayif, sporting the colors of Aga Khan, secured the victory in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains

The son of Sea the Moon defeated Komorebi by 1 length and gave Francis Henri-Graffard his first victory in the race; the favorite Puerto Rico finished in fourth place, 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner

PARIS, France (Special for Turf Diario).— France defended its borders with authority, and the colors of the Aga Khanreturned to the top of the podium on a historic afternoon at ParisLongchamp. The talented Rayif not only granted trainer Francis Henri-Graffard his first victory in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1-1,600 m, very soft turf), but he also emulated the feat of Sendawar (Priolo, 1999) by returning this prestigious trophy to his breeder's interests after a quarter of a century.

The son of Sea The Moon, who was returning from a long absence since his third-place finish in last season's Lagardère, demonstrated maturity and impeccable physical condition. Under a measured ride by Mickael Barzalona, the bay traveled always near the vanguard, occupying an expectant third position while the British runner Hankelow (Night of Thunder) attempted to set the pace from the break.

Upon entering the home straight, Rayif responded immediately to his rider's request. With 300 meters to go, he caught the leader and drew away with commendable solidity to cross the wire with a 1-length advantage over Komorebi (Pinatubo).

The defender of the Godolphin silks, who was coming off a win in the Prix de Fontainebleau (G3), closed strongly to snatch second place by just a head from a brave Hankelow, who had to settle for third.

The great disappointment of the day was the heavy favorite Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett). The Aidan O'Brien trainee, who went off at short odds of 9-10, enjoyed an ideal trip throughout the journey but lacked the necessary change of pace when the race got serious in the final 200 meters, finishing in fourth position, a neck away from the podium.

The victory by the effective Rayif closed a perfect circle for the genetics of the Aga Khan Studs. Hours earlier, on the same card, his older half-sister Rayevka (by Blue Point) had claimed the Prix de Saint-Georges (G3). Both specimens are out of the productive Rayisa (Holy Roman Emperor), a broodmare who today stands in the Olympus of European breeding by producing two group stakes winners on the same afternoon at Longchamp.

With this impact, Rayif elevates his record to 3 wins in 4 starts, including the Prix Francois Boutin (G3), and now projects himself as the new leader of the generation in France.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENY7VA1FctY