3 minute read

Roger Varian's Charyn claimed a third Group 1 victory of the season when fending off the French raider Facteur Cheval in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot.

The Roger Varian-trained striking grey hasn't looked back since winning the Group 2 bet365 Mile at Sandown in April, landing both the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois before finishing second in a tactical Prix du Moulin at Longchamp last month.

However, with a truer tempo on offer on his return to Ascot, Charyn proved he was indeed the top dog of the European mile division.

Facteur Cheval, chased home Big Rock in the same contest twelve months ago, once again had to settle for the silver medal, despite looking like a major threat to the eventual winner entering the final furlong.

Charyn continued to find for pressure under an all-action Silvestre De Sousa and ultimately, he pulled clear for a comfortable two-length triumph. David Menuisier's Tamfana finished a further four-and-a quarter-lengths behind in third just two weeks after landing her breakthrough Group 1 in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.

"He's the finished article now," said Varian. "He's fully developed and he's absolutely at his peak and hasn't he been great all year? Delighted for Nurlan Bizakov, the team, the team at home - a great result.

"There was a moment when I thought I wanted De Sousa to kick on. The jockey likes to make the trainer sweat. I thought it was a magnificent performance from the horse. He got a perfect trip, he got a lovely position, he travelled, eased into the race and looked like he would be a very comfortable winner. Silvestre was just looking after him, making sure he got home and he just gave the second a chance but then we saw Charyn's fighting qualities, he did have to knuckle down, but he was very tough and strong in the final furlong. I thought it was a very dominant performance.

"He's just straightforward and I promise you, he has the most amazing constitution. Every time I have run him, I have always thought he was too heavy as he holds his condition so well. He's a wonderful horse, touch wood he's been very sound, and he loves his work and loves his racing. He's got such a good mentality for the game and the engine to go with it.

"His constitution is really like no other, he takes everything so well and doesn't waste any energy at home. He may have had a long year, but he doesn't stress about life at home. He doesn't waste any energy doing barnstorming pieces of work and he's super cool – almost to the point you think 'come on mate!'.

"With a horse like this, he is very special to us, and he's done an awful lot for us. You get special horses, and they are all special in their own way, but this one is special with an engine."

It has been a turbulent season for Varian Stables, with the removal of last year's Champion Stakes hero King Of Steel and Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum deciding to end his nine-year association with the Newmarket-based handler.

Reflecting on this season, Varian said: "I think the game matches Charyn. It's a tough game and ups and downs every month and every week but I've got great people around me, great people at home, support and some wonderful owners and I'm very lucky to train some special horses and you pick yourself up when you take a knock, and you get on with it. I could reflect on the year and say yes, it's had its challenges, but it's been a fantastic year; we've got one of the top milers in Europe if not the world and we're housing an English Classic winner amongst plenty of other good stuff, so we've had a good year. It's had its ups and downs but we're here again in the winner's enclosure again on Champions Day."

Although nothing has been set in stone, Charyn could be set for one final swansong this season, with Varian mooting the Mile Championship at Kyoto in Japan as a possible target.

He said: "It (another run) could be on the radar but most important is how he is over the next 10 days.

"We would all love to go to Japan. I think if he goes abroad, it would be to Japan for the Mile Championship. It's not cemented, it's a nice idea but his condition over the next 10 days will be key."

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