THERE were three Group 3 races run in France last weekend and André Fabre saddled the winners of two of them.

At Longchamp on Saturday, the Fabre-owned and trained Baghadur, a three-year-old colt by Zanzibari (a Smart Strike horse Fabre trained for Godolphin), won the Group 3 Prix de la Porte Maillot by half a length from better fancied stable companion De Treville. Noozhoh Canarias, a top-class two-year-old two years ago, was third.

The action moved to Maisons-Laffitte on Sunday where Fabre was again on the mark in the Group 3 Prix Messidor over a straight mile with the Godolphin-owned Fractional. This six-year-old by Manduro has been a fine campaigner for connections in recent seasons. He won the Group 2 Prix Dollar on Prix de l’Arc weekend last October and has now won nine races including four pattern events.

Mickael Barzalona was on board both these Fabre winners. Dismissed by Godolphin’s British operation almost exactly a year ago, Barzalona is back riding plenty of winners in the blue silks in France.

Also on the Maisons-Laffitte card, trainer Henri-Alex Pantall sent out Son Cesio (by Zafeen) to win the Group 3 Prix de Ris-Orangis. The Group 1 performer Catcall was sent off favourite for this six-furlong contest but appeared to have no excuses in finishing seventh of the eight runners. The result suggests that France has not yet found a sprinter to take on the best of Britain and Ireland.