Son of Dark Angel Takes Second Breeders’ Cup Challenge Race in 2024
Breeders’ Cup Release
DEAUVILLE, France ― The Nurlan Bizakov-owned Charyn (IRE) added a second Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Group 1 to his resume with a smooth 3-length success in Sunday’s Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois (G1) at Deauville Racecourse. Charyn gained a free berth into the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile when winning the June 18 Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 80 Graded/Group stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar in San Diego, California.
Off as the 9-10 favorite, Charyn, trained by Roger Varian, followed up his Queen Anne Stakes (G1) victory at Royal Ascot with another top-level success this year, and the race could not have panned out any better. The 4-year-old settled beautifully in third behind Metropolitan (FR) and Big Rock (FR), who cut out the early running under Cristian Demuro. Charyn’s claims were further aided by the sluggish start made by two-time winner of this race Inspiral (GB) who dwelt in the stalls and was pushed along to keep in touch with her rivals soon after the gates opened.
As the seven-strong field entered the final stages, Inspiral, who had recovered from her poor start, was pulled out by Ryan Moore to make up ground on the leaders down the center of the racecourse. However, Charyn was well placed to make his challenge and quickened up impressively to surge clear of Metropolitan who rallied for the runner-up spot, ahead of Inspiral and Quddwah (GB) who finished third and fourth respectively.
Charyn completed the mile in 1:33.98 over a course listed as good.
This win represents a fourth win in five starts this year for Roger Varian’s improving stable star, and a first win in this historic contest for both Varian and De Sousa.
An emotional Roger Varian said in his post-race interview: “It was a comfortable watch; I’m looking forward to seeing it again. He’s a great horse. He seems to be getting better and better. He made me cry this horse, he’s such a beautiful horse. He got the ‘Win and You’re In’ from the Queen Anne, so yes (the Breeders’ Cup) it’s an option. It’s nice to be invited but we’ll enjoy today first, it’s a great race to win.”
Silvestre De Sousa, who has developed a remarkable relationship with Charyn in 2024, said: “I feel great. He’s such a nice horse and this type of horse doesn’t come along often. I’ve been very lucky, and I’m just delighted to bag another Group 1 on him. He almost broke the track record, and I don’t think this is his type of ground but when you have his class you can go on anything.”
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay Charyn to start in the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.
