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Charyn cemented his status as Europe's premier miler with a scintillating display in the Gr.1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on August 11, adding to his Royal Ascot triumph and earning a coveted spot in the US$2 million Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar on November 2.
The Irish-bred grey, trained by Roger Varian, unleashed a devastating turn of foot in the final furlong to leave his rivals trailing in his wake. Jockey Silvestre de Sousa guided Charyn to a commanding three-length victory over Metropolitan, with Inspiral rallying for third despite a slow start.
Clocking a rapid 1:33.98, Charyn recorded the fastest Marois time since 2013, further underlining his exceptional talent.
An emotional Varian struggled to contain his delight post-race, saying: "I don't know what to say, he made me cry, he's such a beautiful horse. We needed to see that at Ascot because we all felt he put up an incredible performance in the Lockinge. Today was about backing up what he did there, which was equally important."
The trainer's unwavering faith in Charyn, even when facing top-class opposition as a three-year-old, has been emphatically vindicated.
Varian's success with Charyn adds to his impressive international record. The Newmarket handler has enjoyed significant triumphs in the Middle East, including Postponed's victory in the 2016 Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic and Aljazzi's win in the 2018 Gr.2 Cape Verdi at Meydan. His global reach extends to Australia, where he saddled Benbatl to finish second in the 2018 Gr.1 Cox Plate.
Despite the apparent ease of victory, De Sousa revealed the weight of expectation he felt beforehand. "I haven't felt that pressure in a long time," the jockey admitted. "When you come to a Group One, you come to a war and it's never easy."
For owner-breeder Nurlan Bizakov, Charyn's triumph capped a remarkable seven days, following Lazzat's success in the Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at the same track the previous weekend.
Royal Ascot winner Haatem was a late scratching before the Marois after jockey James Doyle felt something amiss on the way to post. Initial veterinary checks have failed to identify any serious issue, with connections awaiting further assessment at trainer Richard Hannon's Wiltshire base.
Haatem's owners, Wathnan Racing, are a relatively new but increasingly prominent force in global racing. The operation is linked to the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club and has invested heavily in bloodstock in recent years. Their distinctive grey and gold silks have been carried to victory in major races across Europe, including Haatem's triumph in the Gr.1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier this year.
As Charyn prepares for his American adventure, he'll be looking to add another international success to Varian's impressive résumé and cement his place among the world's elite milers.