Map Of Stars saw off the threat of Horizon Dore to claim the Prix d’Harcourt in fine style and seal a fantastic four-timer for Francis-Henri Graffard at ParisLongchamp’s first meeting of 2025.
The Wathnan Racing-owned son of Sea The Stars has now won five of his six career starts and having added to his winning return in the Prix Exbury at Saint-Cloud, he will now return to the French capital for a shot at the Group One Prix Ganay on April 27.
“He’s really improved as a horse and I was pleased with what I saw today,” said Graffard of his James Doyle-ridden winner.
“He was a horse that when he hits the front he would stop through immaturity, but today he really went up to the wire with a very nice action so it was a really strong performance from him and he is really improving.
“If all goes well, he should run in the Prix Ganay back here at ParisLongchamp later this month.”
As well as winning both maidens on the ParisLongchamp card with Daryz and the Juddmonte-owned Sunly, he also saw the highly-talented Mandanaba enhance her reputation by claiming the Al Shira’aa Racing Prix Vanteaux on just her second start.
Owned by Princess Zahra Aga Khan, the daughter of Ghaiyyath holds an entry for both the Poule D’Essai Des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) and Prix de Diane (French Oaks) later this summer, with Graffard considering utilising her pace and dropping back in distance.
Graffard said: “She is lovely and is a very pacey filly, she put a lot of pace in the race.
“It was a very strong performance today and looking at the way she raced, I will probably drop her back in trip.
I was delighted with first run of the season and hopefully she can be stepped up in class.
“She could probably be a (French) Guineas horse, but I just have to sit down with the owner and think about the programme.”
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