Prolific Moulin winner has Prix de la Foret and Breeders’ Cup targets.
One of Europe's most respected trainers, Andre Fabre, was merely disappointed that the news did not come as a shock to him as well. For while Tribalist was always an outsider in a Group One universe that also boasted competitive names Charyn, Henry Longfellow, and Notable Speech, he led from the front, holding off his rivals for a one-and-a-half-length lead. The bold front-running ride from Mickael Barzalona came good, taking advantage of the pace and spirit of Tribalist to hold that position throughout. Few in the grandstands would have fancied Tribalist at the start of proceedings, but Fabre had believed all along in his five-year-old's potential. Even before the victory, the son had won five group races, and the trainer had always thought he deserved more recognition.
I wasn't in the least surprised he won. What was surprising was the amount of people caught out by it," Fabre said softly, himself hardly raising a cautionary eyebrow at the outcome. "He's demonstrated his quality before, but undoubtedly, his physical form is exceptional, and he's won some group races, all very convincingly. His wins before were more deserving of respect." Fabre said he has thought about when Tribulist had been beaten lately and concluded that, more often than not, it was tactical rather than a lack of ability. The types of races, like those in Hong Kong and Deauville where the horse was restrained and merely dropped back into the field, were against the running of Tribulist. These are races that do not allow the going.
"When we tried other tactics—like running him like that, dropping him in during the race—it didn't suit him," Fabre explained. "His defeat in Hong Kong and the run over six furlongs at Deauville were examples of that. It just didn't play to his strengths. Last year he beat Facteur Cheval at Saint-Cloud with a front-running approach, and it worked perfectly."
🇫🇷😲 Shock in the Prix du Moulin!
Tribalist (25/1) strikes from the front at ParisLongchamp, landing the Group 1 feature under Mickael Barzalona.
🥈 In similar style to his Lockinge defeat, Charyn picked up best from those in the chasing pack…pic.twitter.com/ocJSQgE61Q
— Sporting Life Racing (@SportingLife) September 8, 2024
The Prix du Moulin proved the perfect stage for Tribalist's abilities, with Barzalona giving an opportunistic ride that few could fault. "You don't often see a horse given such a big lead in French racing," Fabre said. "But Mickael's ride was exceptional. He judged it perfectly, and the horse responded brilliantly." Tribalist can continue his winning ways, says Fabre as he looks ahead. The five-year-old is set for the Prix de la Forêt, where he will travel seven furlongs. Fabre said distance will play right into Tribalist's pace and also added that a possible trip to the Breeders' Cup is possible, provided a discussion with owner Sheikh Mohammed.
I think seven furlongs will be no problem for him, Fabre noted. "The Prix de la Foret is next in line, and then we will evaluate the Breeders' Cup. It's an option to discuss, but for now, we are focused on what is immediately ahead." The win in the Moulin marked a new peak in the career of Tribalist, which acted as a reward for all the faith that Fabre had taken in him all along.
The trainer, who appeared to calm down after the result, truly expressed his long-term confidence in the horse. While the racing public perhaps was shocked by the result, Fabre knew that Tribalist had what it took to be successful at the highest level. It is clear as the season progresses that Tribalist has a way forward on the path to more success, with both Fabre and Barzalona planning their next moves very carefully. Of course, fans will be very keen to see how the talented five-year-old does going forward in his races, but most notably now with the potential of a Breeders' Cup appearance looming ahead.
