The Group 1 Prix Ganay (2100m) is the opening Group 1 contest of the French flat-racing calendar and with seven high-class horses going to post, it should be a contest to savor.

All eyes will be on Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) hero Daryz as he bids to make a winning reappearance, ahead of a campaign centered around a return to Longchamp for a second ‘Arc’. The Aga Khan Studs-owned four-year-old sets a clear standard on official ratings and four-year-olds boast a solid record in the race, having produced seven of the last twelve winners.

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, who enjoyed a memorable 2025 season internationally with wins in the ‘Arc’, Japan Cup and Champion Stakes, is yet to land the Prix Ganay during his stellar career.

In contrast, André Fabre is a master of the Prix Ganay, with eight victories in the 2100m contest. He saddled Sosie, who was having his first start since finishing fourth in the ‘Arc’, to win this race twelve months ago and seems set to be responsible for three runners courtesy of Bright Picture, First Look and Cualificar.

All three of Fabre’s contenders will attempt to enhance a recent trend of winners having a run before Ganay success – seven of the last twelve winners had already undertaken a reappearance outing. The trio all contested the Group 2 Prix d’Harcourt (2000m), with Bright Picture emerging successful, while Cualificar and First Look performed creditably back in third and fourth.

No filly or mare has won the race since Aquarelliste struck back in 2002, but it would be foolish to rule out last year’s Group 1 Prix Vermeille (2400m) heroine Aventure, who in receipt of 3lb from the colts and geldings, will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing effort behind Daryz in the ‘Arc’.

Winner of the race in 2020 with Sottsass (held at Chantilly), Jean-Claude Rouget will be hoping his five-year-old Arrow Eagle can emulate former stablemate and handle the drop back in trip on his first start since winning the Group 1 Prix Royal Oak (3100m) in October.

Photo: France Galop