France: Charyn prevails in Prix Jacques Le Marois, gains BC Mile berth

Charyn’s rise in Europe’s mile division is complete. There is even a chance the brilliant colt is on his way to the United States this year.

After winning the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in Britain in June for his first win at the highest level, Charyn was the easy winner of Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville Racecourse in northern France.

Charyn, trained by Roger Varian for owner and breeder Nurlan Bizakov, earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 2 with the win.

In post-race comments to the press, Varian mentioned the $2 million BC Mile as a possibility for Charyn, but said Group 1 races such as the $491,200 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp in Paris on Sept. 8, and the $1.4 million Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Oct. 19 are more immediate possibilities.

In the $1.09 million Prix Jacques Le Marois, Charyn was strongly favored in a field of seven and ran accordingly. Ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, Charyn stalked pacesetter Big Rock for the first five furlongs of the race on a straightaway course.

Charyn moved closer to Big Rock with slightly more than a quarter-mile remaining before taking the lead. Very quicky, Charyn (who paid $3.80 in American pools) drew away, winning by three lengths over 8-1 Metropolitan.

Inspiral, the 5-year-old who won the Prix Jacques Le Marois in 2022 and 2023, overcame a slow start to finish third as the 5-2 second choice. Inspiral, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita last November, was beaten 3 1/4 lengths.

Charyn, a 4-year-old Irish-bred colt by Dark Angel, has won 6 of 16 starts, including five stakes. This has been by far Charyn’s best year, with four wins in five starts, including the Group 2 bet365 Mile at Sandown Park near London in April.

At 3, Charyn was winless in seven starts, including third-place finishes behind the brilliant Paddington in two Group 1 races – the St. James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse in Britain.

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