Rayif claims Group One glory at Deauville ahead of Ascot targets
The French 2000 Guineas winner returns to peak form at Deauville, shifting betting markets and setting sights on Champions Day
Rayif has reasserted his status as a top-class performer, securing victory in the Group One Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, the colt battled through a competitive field to defeat runner-up Zeus Olympios and third-placed Precise. The win marks a significant return to form for the French 2000 Guineas winner, who had faced interruptions in his summer campaign.
The victory comes after a minor setback that disrupted Rayif’s schedule and prevented a planned appearance at Royal Ascot. Prior to this win, the colt had finished fifth in the Prix Jean Prat, a performance Graffard attributed to the horse recovering from the earlier disruption. The Prix Jacques le Marois is widely regarded as the second most prominent race in France, trailing only the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in prestige.
Thesecretadversary, trained by Fozzy Stack, controlled the pace for much of the race, closely pursued by Karl Burke’s Zeus Olympios. Zeus Olympios appeared poised for victory after quickening to the lead in the final furlong, but Barzalona delivered a decisive late run to secure the win for Graffard. Precise, the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner trained by Aidan O’Brien, finished in third place.
Graffard expressed confidence in the colt’s resilience, noting that Rayif handled the mile distance effectively despite previous perceptions of him being a specialist on soft ground. He highlighted the importance of the victory for the horse’s future prospects, stating that performing at this level is essential for a thoroughbred’s value at stud. The trainer described the win as a testament to the horse’s toughness and the perfect trip provided by the jockey.
The victory has significantly altered Rayif’s standing in the betting markets for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. Odds have shortened from 14-1 to 4-1, making him the second favourite for the Champions Day feature. Graffard indicated that future options include the Prix du Moulin on September 6 or the Prix de la Foret on October 4, with the possibility of dropping the horse back in distance.
Burke, whose Zeus Olympios finished second, praised the winner’s performance while outlining potential plans for his own horse. He suggested that the Prix du Moulin might be too soon for Zeus Olympios, with the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot viewed as a more suitable target. Burke remained optimistic about the horse’s physical development and his chances of securing a Group One title in the future.
