Earthlight eases back into winning groove in G3 Prix du Pin

Dual G1 winner Earthlight returned to winning ways with a cosy victory on his first try over seven furlongs in the G3 Prix du Pin at Longchamp, France, on Sunday, 13 September.

The Shamardal colt was stepping up in trip and racing around a bend for the first time after meeting with a first career defeat when coming home fourth behind Space Blues in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville in August.

Held up mid-field on the outside of the 11 runners by Mickael Barzalona, Earthlight was briefly shuffled back to eighth at the top of the straight before cruising up to go second on the bridle entering the final furlong.

The Andre Fabre-trained three-year-old reeled in Spinning Memories with just under half a furlong left before quickening away to beat Tropbeau by an easy three-quarters of a length.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Earthlight showed us what we knew he was capable of today. He is such a lovely horse with a great attitude. Mickael felt that he didn’t have the best trip and was wide the whole way, which makes it a pretty long way round when you are going to the second winning-post here.

“Mickael said that Earthlight was brave and will come on for the race - he was having a good blow afterwards. He is quite a heavy horse who needs plenty of work and plenty of racing, so that will do him good.

“Andre is confident that Earthlight could stay a mile but options are running out at this time of year, so I would imagine that the G1 Prix de la Foret would be one of the main races that come into consideration.”