The distinguished foal “Sahlan” (Wooten Best × Wasmiya), owned and bred by Al Shaqab Racing, won the Prix Daphnis, a Group 3 race for 3-year-old thoroughbreds over 1600m at Deauville racecourse in France the day before yesterday. This is the same track where he won last year in his first race. This time, under the same trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and jockey Mickael Barzalona, he achieved a greater victory, outperforming eleven rivals.

“Sahlan” showed good form since the start of the current season, almost winning a Group 3 race by finishing second by a nose in the Fontainebleau race. Despite unlucky results in the next two races, he proved his worth in his fourth race this season by securing his first win at the group level.

At the start of the race, jockey Barzalona kept “Sahlan” in a rear position, settling him ninth alongside the foal “Tito Mo Sen” (Uncle Mo), far behind the leader “Skoville” (Too Darn Hot), who was the favorite. As the horses approached the final bend, “Skoville” increased his pace, leading with “Madeiro” (Lope de Vega) chasing. Meanwhile, “Sahlan” gradually advanced seeking an opening on the outside. Once the gap appeared, he accelerated impressively, overtaking his rivals to take the lead in the last 100 meters and won by one and a half lengths. The second place went to the foal “Kiran” (Fan Beethoven), owned by Paolo Donzelli, trained by Maurizio Guarnieri, and ridden by jockey Antoine Ameilin. Third place, by a head, was the foal “Silius” (Dubawi), owned by Fermier et Frère, trained by Christophe Ferland, and ridden by jockey Maxime Guyon.

“Sahlan” is bred by Al Shaqab Racing and is the son of the mare “Wasmiya” (Tornado), who won a classified race over 1400m at age three. She is the daughter of the mare “Lamourlay” (Dynaformer Dancer) and half-sister to the horse “Wahdan” (Siyouni), who won a 1900m race at age three and placed third in a Group 2 race over 2000m the same season. She is also half-sister to the mare “Talbah” (Style Vendome), who won a 1500m race at age three and placed third in a Group 3 race over 1400m in the same season.