THERE were three group races at Deauville last Saturday and the most impressive winner was provided by the Aga Khan/ Francis-Henri Graffard/ Mickael Barzalona combination, who scored with Sibayan in the Group 2 Lucien Barriere Grand Prix de Deauville over a mile and four and a half furlongs. The four-year-old gelding by Blame was following up his win in the Group 2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil in July.

New Ground, fourth to Lambourn in the Derby at Epsom again proved disappointing, finishing third just ahead of Andre Fabre’s favourite Marquisat.

The Group 3 Barriere Prix Quincey over a mile went to the Stephane Wattel-trained Dreamliner (Theo Bachelot) who beat Cicero’s Gift (Billy Loughnane/Charlie Hills) by three-quarters of a length. Roger Varian’s Royal Hunt Cop winner was sent off favourite, but could only finish fifth of the 11.

Billy Loughnane later received praise for his winning ride in the six-furlong Group 3 Barriere Prix de Meautry on Rosy Affair for George Boughey, who made all, kicked two lengths clear a furlong and a half out and held off the favourite Daylight by three-quarters of a length.It was the second win in a row for the four-year-old Havana Grey filly.

On Sunday at ParisLongchamp, there was no joy for the few Irish-trained runners with Joseph O’Brien’s Emit faring best in the Group 3 Prix Gerald de Geoffre over a mile and seven furlongs. Outsider Espoir Avenir scored by five lengths for Christophe Ferland.

In the Group 3 Prix d’Arenberg over five furlongs for two-year-olds, Havana Anna was sent off at odds-on under Gavin Ryan for Donnacha O’Brien, but was run out of it late, losing out by a nose when headed in the final strides by Afjan, partnered by Christophe Soumillon for Henri-Francois Devin and Al Shaqab.