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The first of the French Group 1s remained in domestic hands as the Adrien Fouassier-trained Haya Zark took Sunday’s Prix Ganay at Longchamp.
A multiple winner in Group 2 and 3 company in previous seasons, the five-year-old returned after the winter break with a comfortable victory in the Group 3 Prix Exbury in March under regular jockey Christophe Soumillon. With Soumillon unavailable, Alexis Pouchin took the ride for Haya Zark's first Group 1, sitting prominently from the outside before delivering a run at the furlong pole and staying on well to secure the victory by a head from Zarir.
Joseph O'Brien's Al Riffa was the only foreign representative and he produced a commendable effort to finish three-quarter lengths back in fourth.
In an interview with Sky Sports Racing, O'Brien said: ""It was a really good run, he's obviously an older colt and maybe he got just a little bit tired in the last 100 yards, but hopefully it's an exciting and long season with him.
"We're really pleased to get him back on track and we're dreaming about Group Ones with him later in the summer."
Haya Zark was cut from 66/1 to 33/1 by Paddy Power for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October.