Criterium International: 'Oisin said he's the best two-year-old he's ridden this year' - David Menuisier revels in Group 1 triumph

Sunway delivered David Menuisier a first Group 1 victory in three years when holding off odds-on favourite Alcantor to land the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud under Oisin Murphy.

And at the end of what Menuisier admitted had been a difficult season, Caius Chorister made all under Murphy to complete a memorable day for the West Sussex-based Frenchman in the Group 3 Prix Belle de Nuit.  

Sunway, Guy Pariente's homebred son of Galiway, is a brother to 2021 Champion Stakes winner Sealiway and he surged to the front late on to score by half a length.

Sunway was trimmed to 20-1 (from 66) for next year's 2,000 Guineas with Coral after giving his trainer a first top-level winner since Wonderful Tonight in the Fillies & Mares Stakes on Champions Day in 2020.

He had previously finished second in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, a place ahead of Rosallion, who won the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on his next start.

"It’s a lovely story and goes back to May, when Oisin came down to ride the colt," said Menuisier. "When he came back from cantering him, he didn’t say a word. 

"I was beginning to worry I’d been mistaken about how good he was, but then Oisin said, ‘He’s the best two-year-old I’ve ridden this year.’ Bearing in mind he’s sat on 250 two-year-olds, I’ve thought ever since that we had a proper one." 

Menuisier added: "I was worried about Alcantor, but on this ground he was maybe a little less decisive in terms of his acceleration. Going forward, I think Sunway is a colt for the Classics and he should stay a mile and a quarter and perhaps a mile and a half."

It was a boost for Murphy, who went close to Champion Stakes glory aboard Via Sistina on Saturday, going down by three-quarters of a length to King Of Steel having dropped his whip at the furlong marker.

"I felt very bad for her owners the Hillens and young trainer George Boughey because it was a brilliant ride to pick up," Murphy told Sky Sports Racing. "She liked the conditions and the Champion Stakes has so much prestige. To not get the job done and get so close is frustrating, so apologies to them and we'll keep moving forward."

Oisin Murphy and owner Clive Washbourn after Caius Chorister brings up a Group race double for trainer David Menuisier at Saint-CloudCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

Caius Chorister was roared home by owner Clive Washbourn, who gave full satisfaction to those gathered around the Saint-Cloud winner's enclosure with some enthusiastic celebrations.

"I didn't give Oisin any orders other than to let her find her own rhythm, and this filly has been unlucky this year, notably when she probably should have won the Ebor," said Menuisier. "This filly started off on a lowly rating and has really achieved this from nothing."

Reflecting on his own frustrating campaign, Menuisier said: "This is very satisfying and the result of a lot of work. 

"We haven't had the best of seasons, with some good two-year-olds who have been winning at 20 per cent – something which is exceptional for me – but with some older horses who are getting a little long in the tooth and a crop of three-year-olds who, with a couple of exceptions, haven't been very good. Today was a good day."

Read this next . . .

'He could be a Classic horse' - Los Angeles 20-1 for 2024 Derby after Group 1 win in Criterium de Saint-Cloud 

Do you want £400+ of free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.