Preis von Europa (Group 1)

FRANCIS Graffard enjoyed yet another Group 1 success last Sunday when the Aga Khan Studs’ Sibayan won the Preis von Europa at Cologne.

The four-year-old gelding by Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Blame was the odds-on favourite for the 12-furlong race and, with Mickael Barzalona on board, he won by a comfortable two and a half lengths.

Tiffany had to settle for second in her quest to provide Sir Mark Prescott with a third victory in the Preis von Europa, a nose in front of Christophe Ferland’s Columbus.

Sibayan was following up his Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville success in August. He was withdrawn from his engagement in this evening’s Arqana Arc Sale, but he is entered for the Long Distance Cup at Ascot on October 18th.

Barzalona told Wettstar: “On paper he was the best horse in the race. The beginning of the race was a bit messy and it took a bit of time to find where we were going to sit. But once I got in my own rhythm, he picked up very well in the end.”

Sibayan was shortened to 3/1 from 8s by one bookmaker for the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.

It was Sibayan’s fourth victory of 2025, having also finished no worse than second in six starts and the win continues a great run for Graffard that has not only seen him dominate the major races at home, but also taste notable success all over Europe.

The success follows quickly on the back of the Group 1 triumph of Graffard’s Goliath at Baden-Baden earlier this month.

Watson runner second

The Cologne card also featured a seven-furlong Group 3 race, which saw the Archie Watson-trained filly Duty First (winner of the Fred Darling Stakes last April) finish second to the locally-trained four-year-old Shootout (by Areion).