Watch Me Delivers Coronation Stakes Upset

When Francis Graffard says, "This is incredible," he really means it.

This time last week, he had trained two group 1 winners in a promising eight-year career. Now he has trained four as his talented Watch Me made everyone do just that by blowing apart the Coronation Stakes (G1) just five days after Channel, also ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot, hung on by a head in the Prix de Diane Longines (G1).

As the field turned into the straight Friday, all eyes were on dual One Thousand Guineas (both G1) winner Hermosa. She hit the front two furlongs out under Ryan Moore and looked set to join Attraction and Winter this century in completing the trinity of early season group 1s for classic fillies.

Her name may shout, "Watch me," but the Olympic Glory filly's process of wresting the collective gaze from Hermosa was more gradual. Slowly, the crowd became more and more aware that Moore's level of animation was in stark contrast to Boudot's relative stillness.

The writing was on the wall, and the second Moore got more animated with about a furlong and a half to run, even-money favorite Hermosa was consigned to joining Finsceal Beo in coming up short in her treble bid, as she was unable to stop Watch Me powering a length and a half clear for an emphatic success.

It is impossible to describe how much this meant to Graffard without explaining two things. Firstly, he worked in British racing for six years—most notably with Darley—and developed an ambition to have runners at meetings such as Royal Ascot. Secondly, Watch Me's previous start in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas, G1) hurt. The trainer fully expected to be coming here already a group 1 winner, rather than as a 20-1 (local odds) shot.

"We were 20-1, which was good for me with the owner because we can say, 'Look, enjoy yourself. There's no pressure, we're an outsider. If we are third, it's a fantastic result,'" explained Graffard. "She traveled really nicely, and I shouted a lot. She took the lead quite early and never stopped. After Longchamp, Olivier Peslier said, 'Run in the Diane, she'll stay and she'll win.' But after bad luck in the race, I didn't want to change everything, so we came to Ascot.

"Four weeks ago in France, I thought it was our day, and I was very upset as you don't get many chances to run in a group 1 with a big chance, and everything went wrong. That's the hard part of being a trainer. Then you get this week. I won the Prix de Diane on Sunday, and here we are."

They did not come quietly as a tricolor-waving contingent ensured a raucous return, and a delighted Graffard added: "I worked six years in England, so I always said to myself, 'I need to come here and win a big race.' I've tried before, but today is just amazing. I love this filly. I always thought she was very good, and it's incredible."

In the media huddle, Watch Me's trainer began a long, joyful, interesting monologue, stopping himself eventually to check if anyone wanted to ask a different question. 

"I was a racing representative for Sheikh Mohammed and Darley for three or four seasons. This is just my eighth season as a trainer," Graffard said. "We've had some nice winners, but this one is very special."

For Graffard, it was a first Royal Ascot winner. But for Boudot, it was a second after guiding Le Brivido to glory in the Jersey Stakes last year.

He said: "The race was perfect for her. She was unlucky in the Poule d'Essai. I was able to get behind Hermosa, and when I asked her, she gave me a nice turn of foot. She did it very easy today. She has a big heart and is very courageous. I think she is very good quite simply.

"This is a big day for me, also. It's a first group 1 at Royal Ascot, and it's very important for my career. It's been a very nice week."

On Hermosa, who finished a length clear of third-place Jubiloso, Aidan O'Brien said: "She ran a very good race, and Ryan said she ran very well. We're not using any excuses, and we'll make a decision (whether to stay over a mile) when we get her back. We'll decide in a week or 10 days. Her sister (Hydrangea) got a mile and a half."