At the rear of the field early, the Richard Hannon-trained Rosallion launched down the centre of the track under Sean Levey to capture the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) at Longchamp on Sunday and credit Darley Stud’s Blue Point (IRE) with his first Group 1 winner.
The Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum homebred was making his fourth start of the season.
He defeated the Wootton colt Unquestionable by a length, with Lope De Vega colt Beauvatier a length and a half back in third..
A debut winner at Newbury in June, Rosallion added the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot a month later. He lost his unbeaten record when third to Iberian in the Group II Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.
“I was bitterly disappointed that day; I could not quite believe it, but it was great to see him do that today,” Hannon said.
Sean Levy said Rosallion had learned plenty from his defeat,
“He felt exceptional today. He had only two runs before Doncaster, and when I asked him, he did not know what to do with his legs,” Levy said.
“When I asked him today, I was never going to get beaten. He is so babyish, although he has a great mind, and as time goes on, he keeps learning.”
Rosallion is the best of two winners from three to race for the unraced New Approach mare Rosaline a sister to the Group II Prix Daniel Wildenstein winner Ostilio and a half to Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Ajman Princess (Teofilo), Group III winner Cape Byron (Shamardal), and Listed winners Third Realm (Sea The Stars) and Captain Withers (Lope de Vega).
