Earthlight narrowly beaten in G1 Prix de la Foret

Earthlight produced a brave display on testing ground to come home a close second in the G1 Prix de la Foret over seven furlongs at Longchamp, France, on Sunday, 4 October.

Last season’s G1 Darley Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park Stakes victor raced prominently on the outside of the field before taking up the running under Mickael Barzalona after the first quarter-mile.

The Andre Fabre-trained colt kicked on in the straight and established a length and a half advantage a furlong and a half out, with One Master emerging from the chasing pack to press the Shamardal homebred approaching the final half-furlong.

One Master hit the front soon after and asserted near the line, with Earthlight staying on gamely to edge out Safe Voyage for second and finish a neck behind the top mare, who was recording a third straight win in the race.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Earthlight has run a super race. He was in such good form – you could see in the paddock that he was really happy to be at the races – and was almost a bit too well in himself. Mickael said that no-one else wanted to go on, so he found himself in front, which may have cost him slightly in the dying strides.

“We can’t look for too many excuses as he has been beaten by a mare who knows her way round Longchamp with her eyes closed. One Master is fantastic and connections have done a great job in bringing her back in peak form again. We are really pleased with Earthlight and Mickael felt that he fought hard all the way to the line.”