Afandem wins French stakes for Zoffany

Unbeaten Zoffany colt Afandem (3c Zoffany-Miryale, by Anabaa) looks set to make up for lost time after scoring in Listed company in the colours of Al Shaqab Racing in France on Monday. The three-year-old won a Deauville conditions event on his debut in October and captured the Prix du Mont Griffon at Chantilly on his comeback in March. But due to an illness in trainer Jean-Claude Rouget’s stable, he was off the track since then until he reappeared in the Listed Prix Ridgway at Compeigne on Monday, registering a cosy victory over Glen Sheil. “He was scratched on the morning of the G3 Prix la Force as he was among Jean-Claude Rouget’s band of sick horses,” said Al Shaqab Racing’s French manager Rupert Pritchard-Gordon. “He returned today after that extended break so it is most satisfying to see that he can perform at such a level and remain undefeated. We will see what’s next for him, but the G2 Prix Eugene Adam (at Maisons-Laffitte on July 16) is a likely option.”

Bred by E and M Robin, Afandem was bought for €130,000 by Al Shaqab Racing and Mandore International as a yearling at Arqana.