'I was on my own little cloud' - Gezora fends off Bedtime Story to lead home Francis Graffard one-three-four in Classic

There are few races in the French calendar that carry as many hopes and dreams as the Prix de Diane Longines and Francis Graffard enjoyed a moment that will take some beating as his three runners took control of the race inside the final two furlongs.

It was Gezora who ultimately prevailed, one of four winners on the day for a rampant Christophe Soumillon, while Graffard heads Royal Ascot with an enviable host of big-race chances. 

The trainer, who was winning a second Diane after Channel’s success in 2019, admitted to a wave of emotion engulfing him as Gezora, Cankoura and Mandanaba  surged forward, though ever the professional he was all too conscious of the spectre of fast-finishing Bedtime Story and Ryan Moore. 

"During the race I was trying to follow all three through my binoculars," said Graffard. "I was a bit frustrated with where Mandanaba found herself during the race but they all picked up really well and there was a moment when I saw this green wave surge forward. 

"It was an incredible moment, although I wasn’t absolutely sure we’d win even then because Aidan’s filly was finishing fast, but I was focused on my filly.

"That moment when my three fillies went to the front, I was on my own little cloud."

While the Aga Khan team had to settle for minor honours in third and fourth, they will be hopeful Graffard’s good form continues on the royal racecourse, notably with Candelari in the Gold Cup and Zarigana in Friday’s Coronation Stakes.

The green sported by Soumillon aboard Gezora was that of Peter Brant, who watched Sottsass carry them to victory in the Arc from his Manhattan apartment due to Covid restrictions in 2020, and who must be hoping his filly continues her progress in the autumn towards a race he first witnessed in person when Mill Reef won in 1971. 

Gezora: winner of the Prix de Diane under Christophe SoumillonCredit: PH Flament (APRH)

As quotes of 14-1 came in about Gezora becoming the first to do the Diane-Arc double since Treve in 2013, Brant said: "If she never does anything else she’s won a Prix de Diane and that’s pretty special."

Brant bought Gezora after a promising two-year-old season in which she notably finished second to Middleham Park’s Lazy Griff, form which now looks solid given it produced a Derby second and a Diane winner. 

"It’s a great old Niarchos family and we decided to purchase her," said Brant. "She had a really good record at two and now she has a great record at three and she’s a really good filly. 

"There’s probably three or four races I’ve dreamt of winning and that I value the most, and the Prix de Diane would be one of them. It's the greatest three-year-old fillies' race in the world."

On the subject of the Arc, for which Gezora is now guaranteed a run thanks to the Diane forming part of the new 'Arc Races' series, Graffard said: "I was extremely confident I was bringing her here in the best possible shape without really knowing how high she could go. I’m not surprised she ran a big race. 

Christophe Soumillon is congratulated by his son Mika after Gezora's win in the Prix de Diane LonginesCredit: Scott Burton

"I’m delighted we now have 'win and you’re in' races here, and the filly loves soft ground. This was a huge effort for her and we’ll have a chat about how we approach the autumn but I would imagine."

Moore was forced to drop Bedtime Story out from his draw in 12 of 12 . He made rapid headway in the straight, but her sub-34 second final three furlongs was not enough to reel in Gezora.

"We’re delighted with her run, she ran a great race," said O’Brien. "She's getting there and she’s improving. She looked to get a mile and a quarter today and she could get further."

Kieran Shoemark and Shes Perfect got their trademark fast start, but they were never able to get across to the rail and raced the whole way without cover, backing out to finish a well-beaten ninth.

Charlie Fellowes said: "Kieran felt they went a good pace and she never quite dropped it. She always looked like she was just in a gear too many. He felt coming into the straight he had plenty in the tank but she emptied very quickly.

"We’ll come back to a mile after that. It was always the big question mark and she’s got lots of speed. I think very simply she didn’t quite get home.

Charlie Fellowes: will drop Shes Perfect back in trip after his filly faded in the DianeCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"I thought getting a lead would help us but she never really switched off and the last furlong and a half looked a very long way."

American Gal’s race was over in a matter of seconds as she was stuck between Shes Perfect and Better Together exiting the stalls, and was knocked back to almost last under Tom Marquand. 

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