Vazirabad, a three-year-old son of Manduro, was sent off as odds-on favourite to take the curtain-raiser on Arc weekend at Longchamp – the G2 Prix Chaudenay – and he certainly didn’t disappoint as he posted the easiest of wins in the 3000m contest.
Settled off the pace under Christophe Soumillon, Vazirabad was always travelling well and once nudged along as he approached the home turn, eased past his rivals and soon opened up a clear lead, eventually winning by three lengths.
This was his fourth straight win and his second consecutive Group victory following his win in the G3 Prix de Lutece over the same course and distance last month.
Owned and bred by HH The Aga Khan, Vazirabad is out of the Group-winning Linamix mare Visorama, also dam of Stakes-winning filly Visorinya. The mare is herself a half-sister to G1 winner Varenar.
Manduro has been enjoying another successful year, with his son Braco Forte adding a second G1 victory to his record last month and his G1 winner Ribbons taking the G2 Blandford Stakes in Ireland two weeks ago.
