Mickael Barzalona shines on Tribalist in surprise victory over star-studded field at Prix du Moulin, securing Andre Fabre's record-extending eighth win in the prestigious race.
Mickael Barzalona delivered an outstanding performance in the saddle, taking charge aboard the Andre Fabre-trained Tribalist to secure a surprising victory in the Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp.
The race was anticipated as a high-profile contest between Charlie Appleby's 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes champion Notable Speech, and Roger Varian's Charyn, who has emerged as a formidable competitor over this distance this term.
Aidan O'Brien's Henry Longfellow was also among the favored contenders, but none of the top runners could make a significant impact as the five-year-old granted Fabre his record-extending eighth win in the Group One event.
Seizing the initiative right from the start, Barzalona propelled Tribalist forward and consistently applied pressure on his rivals throughout the one-mile race, establishing a significant lead as they entered the second half of the contest.
What a performance!
Tribalist springs a huge surprise, making all to land the G1 Prix du Moulin at @paris_longchamp under @mickaelbarzalon… pic.twitter.com/BCqmUNmype
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 8, 2024
With 500 metres remaining, distress signals began to show among the rivals, and although Charyn answered gamely to Silvestre de Sousa's urgings, he fell short, finishing a length and a quarter behind the unwavering front-runner, Tribalist.
Henry Longfellow trailed a bit further back in third, while Notable Speech came in fifth out of the seven runners.
Fabre told Sky Sports Racing: 'It was a fantastic front-running performance, but it was down to Tribalist, not the trainer.
'He is just good. Mickael couldn't have done anything else; the others let him go.'
When asked if this victory means Tribalist will head to the Prix de la Foret next, Fabre added: 'For sure, there is no other option. He could then go to the Breeders' Cup.'
