State Of Rest meets Group 1 objective as O'Brien plunders more riches overseas

Sunday: Prix Ganay, Longchamp

State Of Rest is well on his way to assembling a truly global record after a hard-fought win in the Prix Ganay to add to his previous Group and Grade 1 successes at Saratoga and Moonee Valley.

It was another major international feather in the cap of his trainer Joseph O'Brien, who produced the four-year-old son of Starspangledbanner in fine condition for his first public test since lowering the colours of Australia's finest in the Cox Plate last October.

For winning rider Shane Crosse, this was a third career Group 1 after his mount ran down Sealiway and Mare Australis before holding the late charge of Pretty Tiger to score by three-quarters of a length and a short head.

"It ended up being an uncomplicated race that was made complicated because Sealiway's pacemaker was a bit in my way everywhere," said Crosse.

"We went slow and it's just lucky that my horse is such a good ride. He was able to relax where he was and I was able to commit and win my race when I wanted to."

Winning connections after State Of Rest's third top-level victoryCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

Connections had to wait while the stewards heard an objection – O'Brien broke stride in his interview when hearing the klaxon for an inquiry, perhaps scarred by previous experiences good and bad with Imperial Monarch and Gleneagles at Longchamp – but the result was soon confirmed and State Of Rest now stands as arguably the older horse to beat over a mile and a quarter.

"That was our main objective for this season, to try and win a Group 1 here," said O'Brien. "Hopefully we'll look for the Tattersalls Gold Cup next back in Ireland."

Both Coral and Betfair Sportsbook now go 8-1 about the winner for the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, and that is also likely to feature on State Of Rest's agenda, while a second Cox Plate is the ultimate aim.

"I think you'd have to say that with those ten-furlong races there's a pretty clear path for that type of horse through the summer," said O'Brien.

"He's owned by an Australian Group, Newgate Stud and their partners, so I would say that [Australia] is likely at the end of the season, but hopefully he has some nice targets through the summer in Europe before then."

There is often discussion about the merit of southern hemisphere form above sprint distances, with plenty of critics arguing that an Australian champion such as Winx should have played away from home to prove her true worth.

Here the winner of the 2021 Cox Plate beat the same year's Champion Stakes hero in Sealiway, with last year's Ganay winner Mare Australis fourth and a disappointing Skalleti unable to show his best on the fast ground in fifth.

With Francis Graffard on duty at Newmarket it was left to Haras de la Gousserie's Pauline Chehboub to reflect on Sealiway's effort, which was a clear step forward on his previous run when beaten in the Prix d'Harcourt.

"We're a little disappointed, but he will win one of these at some stage this season," said Chehboub.

"Sealiway might be a little more effective on softer ground, but he is a fighter and showed that when he beat Dubai Honour in the Champion Stakes."

Splitting the two was Pretty Tiger, the winner of the Prix Exbury who had been forced to switch yards during the week after trainer Fabrice Vermeulen began a three-month suspension.

His new trainer Pia Brandt said: "He's run a fabulous race. His jockey [Sylvain Ruis] felt that without the interference he could have won.

"Pretty Tiger has already run several times this year so we'll decide what comes next with his owner. The long-term plan is to try him again at 2,400 metres [a mile and a half] with a view to the Arc."

3.25 Longchamp: Prix Ganay full result

Read these next:

James Doyle rides famous Guineas double as Cachet causes upset

With The Moonlight cut to 8-1 (from 40) for Oaks after easy Pretty Polly win

Perfect day for Appleby after Coroebus overturns Native Trail

Sign up now. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £10 and win or lose you will receive £30 in Tote Credit, redeemable against racing bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged or substituted and expires after seven days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the betslip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. New UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org.