Blackbeard Dominates in the Prix Robert Papin

A colt christened after a pirate with such a fearsome reputation that he often induced surrender without the need to fire a shot, Blackbeard  produced a dominant display worthy of his seafaring namesake when leading home a stable 1-2 for Aidan O'Brien July 17 in the Darley Prix Robert Papin (G2). 

Despite once again showing a few immature signs in the Chantilly parade ring and at the start, the son of No Nay Never  was all business once the stalls opened and, once Coolmore's favorite French talisman, Ioritz Mendizabal, gave the 6-5 favorite his head just after halfway, the race was effectively over as a contest. 

Stablemate The Antarctic  came out of the pack to give vain chase, but he was still three lengths adrift at the line, while Vicious Harry languished the same distance again back in third.

Paddy Power reacted by cutting Blackbeard to 25-1 (from 40) for next season's Two Thousand Guineas (G1), the same price as the Coral Eclipse Stakes (G1). 

"We're delighted with Blackbeard," said O'Brien, who watched from The Curragh as he landed a second win in the Papin, 23 years on from his success with Rossini.

"He was a baby all the way along, and even though he was still babyish today, Ioritz was very impressed with him. He said that he was professional and won easily. With every run he's getting there—he's definitely progressing."

Having secured group 3 success in the Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey Stakes (G3) with Little Big Bear  July 16, O'Brien clearly has some very speedy 2-year-olds to juggle ahead of the first juvenile group 1s of the year next month, the Phoenix Stakes (G1) and the Prix Morny (G1).

"We were just trying to split them up, and that's why he went to France," O'Brien said. "He could come back to the Curragh for the Phoenix Stakes, which is also an option for Little Big Bear. We were very happy with The Antarctic, too. He's coming as well but probably isn't really there yet. He's still progressing."

The success marked a dominant return to the race for O'Brien, who last fielded runners in the Papin in 2003 and struck on his only other attempt with Rossini in 1999. 

It was also another significant success for Mendizabal in the Coolmore silks. He won the Prix de Diane Longines (G1) aboard Joan of Arc  and Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1) and Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (G1) on St Mark's Basilica  last year. 

Wally May Join Rouget's Irish Champions Weekend Squad

Wally  was made a well-backed favorite for the Prix Messidor (G3) on his first start since chasing home Dreamloper  in the Prix d'Ispahan (G1). Although his supporters were made to sweat, the popular gray son of Siyouni  pulled out a bit extra in the final 50 yards to deny Longvillers  and Axdavali .

"He knows where the post is, but it wasn't an ideal scenario today with no pace," trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said. "He was obliged to take the lead at the two-furlong post, and that's too early for him. He ended up waiting for the others and then kicking again.

"He can go a mile and a quarter, too, so he could go to the Gontaut-Biron (group 3 at Deauville) and after that he could go with Vadeni to Ireland and run in the group 2 over a mile (the Boomerang Stakes); that might be interesting for him."

Stephane Pasquier put a final bow on a memorable week when stepping in for the suspended Christophe Soumillon for an all-the-way success aboard Tariyana  in the Prix Chloe (G3). 

The win came three days after Pasquier's Grand Prix de Paris (G1) victory with Onesto .