Kitesurf, Brundtland, Waldgeist win group stakes while prepping for Arc

The filly Kitesurf and colts Brundtland and Waldgeist won group stakes at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris on Sunday in what were likely prep races for the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at the famous track on Oct. 7.

The wins represented big afternoons for trainer Andre Fabre and Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing. Kitesurf and Waldgeist are trained by Fabre. Kitesurf and Brundtland, who is trained by Charlie Appleby, are owned by Godolphin. Waldgeist races for Gestut Ammerland and Newsells Park.

The three winners did little to affect the overall future-book market for the $5.81 million Arc de Triomphe at 1 1/2 miles. As of Sunday, Enable, who won the 2017 Arc de Triomphe, was the 11-8 favorite with bookmakers. Waldgeist was 12-1, while Kitesurf was 25-1 and Brundtland was 33-1.

Kitesurf won her first Group 1 in Sunday’s $697,800 Prix Vermeille for fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles as the 9-5 favorite. Ridden by Mickael Barzalona, Kitesurf closed from last in the field of eight to win by a head over 9-2 Magic Wand, who led in the final furlong.

The Prix Vermeille was the second consecutive stakes win for Kitesurf, a 4-year-old filly by Dubawi who won the Group 2 Prix de Pomone at Deauville in August.

Waldgeist (even-money) won the won Group 2 Prix Foy at 1 1/2 miles for older horses by 2 1/2 lengths over the Fabre-trained Talismanic, best known for winning the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar. Waldgeist, ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot, closed from fifth in a field of six to take the lead in the final sixteenth.

Talismanic finished about a head in front of Cloth of Stars, who was second in the 2017 Arc de Triomphe.

The $151,190 Prix Foy was the fourth consecutive group stakes win for Waldgeist, a 4-year-old colt by Galileo.

Brundtland (2-1) won the Group 2 Prix Niel for 3-year-old colts and fillies at 1 1/2 miles after a quarter-mile duel with 9-1 Hunting Horn. Ridden by James Doyle, Brundtland held an early lead and was briefly passed by Hunting Horn before prevailing by a short head. Neufbosc, the 4-5 favorite, finished third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths.

Brundtland, by Dubawi, is unbeaten in three starts. The $151,190 Prix Niel was his group stakes debut.