France: Tribalist takes early lead en route to Prix du Moulin de Longchamp victory

Tribalist seized an early lead that he refused to relinquish and upset favored Charyn in the Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp on Sunday in Paris.

Five-year-old Tribalist, a Godolphin homebred trained by Andre Fabre, won his first Group race while making his 21st start, albeit with only two previous starts at the top level. Tribalist finished third to the Charlie Appleby-trained Godolphin colt Modern Games in the 2022 French 2000 Guineas, while on Sunday, the Appleby-trained Notable Speech chunked home fifth as the second choice in the Moulin.

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A Godolphin spokesperson after the race said that Notable Speech would be aimed at the Breeders’ Cup Mile, where he is almost certain to get the firm turf he prefers. Winner of the 2000 Guineas in May, Notable Speed struggled Sunday over a soft course.

Fabre also mentioned the BC Mile, as well as the Prix de la Foret, as upcoming targets for Tribalist, who can be a tricky ride at times. On Sunday, jockey Mickael Barzalona simply let his mount do what he wanted, which was run to the front and cruise along unchallenged.

Tribalist led by a wide margin after turning into the Longchamp home-straight, and while Charyn closed relentlessly, his rally fell 1 1/4 lengths short. Henry Longfellow finished third.

Charyn had won the Queen Anne and Jacques le Marois in his last two starts, form that made him an odds-on favorite Sunday. He reportedly threw a shoe during the race, though trainer Roger Varian, according to a report in the Racing Post, said that wasn’t the reason Charyn had gone down to defeat. Charyn has the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October as his major autumn goal.

Tribalist, a 5-year-old horse, is by Farhh out of Fair Daughter, by Nathaniel. He played ‘come and catch me’ in the Moulin, and they couldn’t.

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