'It's ugly but it's worthwhile' - Oisin Murphy savours Group 1 success on Zellie

Oisin Murphy has endured a challenging week but put all that behind him when partnering the Andre Fabre-trained Zellie to victory in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac.

Britain's champion jockey required stitches to his lip after being thrown into the rail by Oasis Gift in the Salisbury paddock on Thursday, but the thought of missing rides at Longchamp never crossed his mind.

"I had to pick myself up and I'm still a little bit sore," said Murphy, before pulling down his mask to show the cameras his damaged lip. "It's ugly, but I had good rides this weekend – it's all worthwhile."

Zellie proved an able deputy to her unbeaten stablemate Raclette, who was withdrawn due to the ground, as she chased down 33-1 shot Times Square and powered a length and three-quarters clear.

"This was my first time riding her," said Murphy, who also took great pleasure in practising his French during a number of TV interviews. "I've ridden for the owners [Al Wasmiyah Farm] and we kept in touch on WhatsApp. I got the ride as Mickael Barzalona was unavailable.

"I thought we would go very fast. Oscula normally leads but she missed the break under Ryan Moore, so I was a little bit worried. Zellie didn't fly out of the stalls so I had to be patient and hope she'd pick up – when I did get her going she was always going to win."

1.15 Longchamp Sunday: Prix Marcel Boussac full result

Fabre was similarly confident and when it was suggested Zellie had looked complicated on her previous starts the trainer, channelling his inner Rene Descartes, said: "She's not complicated at all. Who is complicated? Men, not horses. Owners and jockeys, but not horses."

She may be straightforward, but Fabre does not imagine her stepping up too much in distance, adding: "I never thought she would be only a two-year-old. She has the scope and ability to be nice next year. We're impatient to see her in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

"I think she'll be limited to a mile, but she could try the mile and a quarter in the Prix de Diane. There will be no marathons for her."

Zellie and Oisin Murphy come clear of Times Square in Sunday's Prix Marcel BoussacCredit: Edward Whitaker

Zellie, who was providing Fabre with his first Boussac success since Miss Tahiti won in 1995, emphatically turned the tables on market-leading stablemate Fleur D'Iris, 24 days on from finishing second to her in the Group 3 Prix d'Aumale.

Trainer Christophe Ferland was delighted with the performance of runner-up Times Square, and said: "I thought we might win 200 metres from the line. This is why we get up in the mornings, for these horses. We've worked hard on this filly because she can be extremely complicated.

"She worked well ten days ago and that gave me belief. I've only spoken with Cristian [Demuro, jockey] briefly but he was impressed and, while the winner is exceptional, we have a very good filly."

Read more from Arc day:

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Arc: Torquator Tasso stuns big-name rivals to spring shock success for Germany

Opera: 'The Breeders' Cup could be next' – Rougir denies Dettori in thriller

Abbaye: A Case Of You pounces late to give Ado McGuinness a first Group 1 victory

Foret: Charlie Appleby on the board as impressive Space Blues powers home

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