By Tom Frary
There was a sense of inevitability in the lead-up to Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and for the vast majority of the mile feature as Nurlan Bizakov's Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}–Futoon {Ire}, by Kodiac {GB}) capped a near-perfect season at Ascot. Adding to his G1 Queen Anne Stakes and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois successes, the 13-8 favourite had only Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) to concern him late on but ultimately subdued his latest challenger to record a two-length success.
Needing the occasional niggle from Silvestre De Sousa as he tracked the pace set by Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the Roger Varian-trained grey was on the bridle moving to that rival three out and after taking control soon after was swiftly tackled by the Jerome Reynier stable star. Asserting his superior strength in the final furlong, the homebred forged another elite-level win as Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) finished 4 1/4 lengths away in third.
“Charyn is a super horse and that was fantastic,” Varian said. “Everything went very smooth, and it was a lovely race to watch. He's got everything, that horse. I promise you, he's got the most amazing constitution. Every time I've run him in his life, I've thought he was too heavy because he just holds his condition like no other horse. Touch wood, he's sound, he loves his work, he loves his racing. He's just got such a good mentality for the game and an engine to go with it.”
Charyn was completing his journey here, having emerged in the Spring as a potential improver on his already-smart 3-year-old form. His two defeats in the G1 Lockinge Stakes and G1 Prix du Moulin came at the hands of two adversaries in Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}) who were practically unbeatable on the day given the way the races panned out, but he keeps coming back harder each time. This was probably his easiest win so far, with De Sousa not needing to work for the entirety of the whole business end and it is possible he is still progressing.
Varian is of that opinion. “He recovers from his races so well and takes his training so well,” he added. “He doesn't waste any energy at home. He has had a long year, but he doesn't stress about life. He is under the radar at home. When he gets to the races, he's completely here which is why I think he can get through the year like he has done.”
“I think it's already been announced that he will retire at the end of this season. He will be a stallion for Nurlan Bizakov's stud operation in France. I, of course, would love him to stay in training, but I think that's not going to be the case. We'll have to see how he comes out of this race, we might just contemplate one more international run.”
Jerome Reynier said of Facteur Cheval, “You can't really be frustrated after a run like that–he's been beaten by a champion in Charyn. He's the best miler in Europe, without doubt now. We beat him last year in the Sussex and on this interesting ground we were hoping to do it again, but obviously he has just been improving and improving all year. Charyn is just unbeatable but it's like a victory to be second.”
“Our horse never lets us down, he is a dream horse,” he added. “We can take him all over the world and he behaves perfectly. He adapted to Dubai very well, so maybe we can start thinking about going back there. I'm happy for his owner Nurlan Bizakov and all the connections and I just hope I can repeat this for them on November 2 in Sydney when Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) runs in the Golden Eagle!”
David Menuisier said of Tamfana, “She's run a great race. She was coming off the bridle at halfway and probably at this level that is not her favourite ground, she's probably better when it is quicker. We can really look forward to her next year. I still don't know what is going to be her best trip. She's won a group 1 over a mile, we know she stays a mile and two furlongs and she might get further. We still haven't figured out her ideal trip, but all I know is she's a massive filly and she will win some big races next year.”
Pedigree Notes
Charyn, who is a full-brother to the G2 Mill Reef Stakes winner and G2 Sandy Lane Stakes and G2 Hungerford Stakes-placed Wings Of War (Ire), is the second foal out of the triple listed-placed Futoon from the family of another Mill Reef winner in Galeota (Ire) (Mujadil) who was also runner-up in the G1 Golden Jubilee. Also connected to the G3 Sirenia Stakes-winning half-siblings Brown Sugar (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) and Burnt Sugar (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Futoon's unraced 2-year-old full-sister to Charyn named Shinara (Ire) was a 850,000gns purchase by his owners at Tattersalls Book 1 in October, while the yearling full-sister was Godolphin's 2.9million gns purchase during last week's renewal. She also has a colt foal again by Dark Angel.
Saturday, Ascot, Britain
QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES-G1, £1,156,250, Ascot, 10-19, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:45.98, sf.
1–CHARYN (IRE), 132, c, 4, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Futoon (Ire) (MSP-Eng), by Kodiac (GB)
2nd Dam: Vermilliann (Ire), by Mujadil
3rd Dam: Refined (Ire), by Statoblest (Ire)
(250,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Nurlan Bizakov;
B-Grangemore Stud (IRE); T-Roger Varian; J-Silvestre De Sousa.
£655,709. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 18-7-4-4, $2,768,494.
*Full to Wings Of War (Ire), GSW-Eng, GSP-Fr, $559,684. Werk
Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Facteur Cheval (Ire), 132, g, 5, Ribchester (Ire)–Jawlaat (Ire),
by Shamardal. (145,000gns Wlg '19 TATFOA; €120,000 Ylg '20
ARDEAY). O-Team Valor International LLC & Gary Barber;
B-McCracken Farms (IRE); T-Jerome Reynier. £248,594.
3–Tamfana (Ger), 126, f, 3, Soldier Hollow (GB)–Tres
Magnifique (Fr), by Zoffany (Ire). (€20,000 Ylg '22 BBAGS).
O-Quantum Leap Racing VIII & Friends; B-Gestut Etzean & H H
Rodenburg (GER); T-David Menuisier. £124,413.
Margins: 2, 4 1/4, 2HF. Odds: 1.63, 5.50, 3.50.
Also Ran: Dancing Gemini (Ire), Quddwah (GB), Checkandchallenge (GB), Henry Longfellow (Ire), Metropolitan (Fr), Ice Max (GB), Lord Massusus (Ire), Prague (Ire), Poker Face (Ire). Scratched: Sirona (Ger).
A third Group 1 for Charyn! He is back to winning ways as he takes the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes for @SilvDSousa and @varianstable at @Ascot… pic.twitter.com/hEjzUtybAx
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 19, 2024
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